We Are Not Here to "Decorate Graves"

If you ever have the opportunity to volunteer with Wreaths Across America, DO IT! Laying wreaths at Arlington National Cemetery on Saturday was one of the most beautiful and humbling experiences of my life. Being able to lay Josh’s wreath on his headstone brought so much joy and peace to my heart during this difficult holiday season. I can only imagine how heartwarming it must be for the families who are unable to visit their loved ones during the holiday to know that they are being honored and remembered in such a beautiful way.

Opening ceremony was at 8:15am and by 11:00am over 245,000 wreaths had already been placed. The participation was absolutely mind blowing! By the time we made it through the gates there were already 10,000 volunteers placing wreaths.

While placing each wreath on the veteran’s graves you are encouraged to say the veteran’s name out loud and thank them for their service to our country. I loved this part probably more than anything. Josh was a firm believer in the saying “you are never forgotten until someone says your name for the last time”. This small act goes such a long way towards keeping the memory of our loved ones alive. William Joshua Powell, Glared Warner, Joseph H Russell, Louis Butwidas, you are not forgotten.

We are not here to “decorate graves.” We’re here to remember not their deaths, but their lives. – Karen Worcester, Executive Director of Wreaths Across America