Wreaths across America

Good morning!





I hope you all had a good weekend.

Peter and I did something for the very first time on Saturday. I really hope that this will be a new tradition of ours.
We went to Arlington Cemetery to participate as volunteers in the annual “Wreaths Across America” wreath laying.

We decided to metro in. Wise decision.
As we boarded the train in Reston, we realized that almost ALL the people onboard the train were going to Arlington.
And sure enough, when we exited the train it was a given thing. The platform was PACKED with people.
Peter and I decided to walk from the metro stop Rosslyn to the cemetery (instead of switching trains to the blue line).
Another wise decision.
Sometimes we do make wise decisions. It happens every once in a while.

Arlington Cemetery, and its surroundings, was packed with volunteers. PACKED!
SO. MANY. PEOPLE!!!
Heart warming. And actually, it did not take a very long time to get into the cemetery at all. Going thru security, that is.  Because, yes, eventually they had to give up on the security check points and just let ALL the people in.  It took too long to screen us one by one.
Wise decision on the behalf of the cemetery.

Peter's on his way to Arlington Cemetery ...

Washington DC as seen across the Potomac River in Arlington, Virginia.

Look at the crowds waiting to help out.  All volunteers.

There were truck upon truck at the cemetery.  ALL filled with Christmas wreaths.  You walked up to a truck, collected a wreath and then you placed said wreath on a grave.

We headed straight for Peter’s mother’s grave.
Peter got to lay down the wreath by her stone.
We started to place wreaths on the surrounding graves. Instructions were to say the name of the deceased person, and then place the wreath on his/her grave. I said the name of the person, thanked them for their service, I wished them Merry Christmas and then I patted the stone. It felt right.

Yes, it was special that Peter got to place a wreath on his mother's grave.

Do you see the little Christmas bird peeking out from the wreath.  We placed it there :-)

The morning was beautiful weather wise as well.
A thin layer of snow had been falling the day before. So, the cemetery was just stunning in the early morning sun.

The president flew over ... yup...

You can place ornaments in the trees near the graves.  So we did hang these two in a magnolia tree.  We will return to the cemetery on Saturday again, by then the trees will probably be filled with ornaments and notes from loved ones.

M is for Margaret and Mom.  

Peter is ready to place some wreaths.

After a while Peter and I headed up to another part of the cemetery. By this point you could tell that most of the graves already were decorated with wreaths. Actually, we had a hard time finding stones without a wreath already placed on it.
Peter and I got to an older part of the cemetery, a part where unknown soldiers rest. There we found a few empty stones.

LOOK at ALL the volunteers!  Just look at the amount of people!

It was remarkable to see all these volunteers come together. And, to be one of them. I can honestly say that I wish I could have placed more wreaths than I did. But, it was simply not possible due to the amount of people.
So, at 10:40 Peter and I headed back to the metro stop and home we went.

It's getting there ...

Iwo Jima Memorial, right outside the cemetery.

A good Saturday, a good Saturday indeed!

Have a good Tuesday!!