On Sunday, December 12, there was an invitation-only wreath-laying at Arlington Cemetery, located in the Washington, DC area. It was the annual wreath-laying, sponsored by Wreaths Across America, and the invite was for people who have a family member laid to rest there. Laying a wreath has been something I have done since I moved here. Laying it for a loved one, saying their name aloud as you lay it upon their grave, as a way to honor them. It is a moment committed to my memories and an absolute honor.
The Main entrance, at the Women's War Memorial. The building in the background is Arlington House, the nation's memorial to Robert E. Lee. Lee was the Confederate commander of the Southern armies during the American Civil War. It was specifically built to overlook the city of Washington DC, the nation's capital. You can read more about him here.
A large truck, by way of Maine, came with many, many wreaths. Everyone there unloaded them and set up lines to distribute them. The second set of wreaths will be on December 18th. This was put out by Wreaths across America and Arlington National Cemetery: "Volunteers will be required to register in order to participate in the public wreath-laying. We are committed to ensuring the safety of all those that want to participate, and as such, will have designated entry gates and times for a limited number of registered volunteers to enter." You can read more about it here.
Wave to the volunteers. Every single one of them has a son or daughter, husband, wife... somewhere in there. I know it does their heart good to see so many coming today, to share the task at hand. Don't get me wrong, not one person feels like it is work, but, rather, an act of love. There is a camaraderie there, one of loss, one of pride, one of understanding. They even offer me some fresh coffee.
They give you the wreath(s) for you to lay upon the grave. They did not give the instructions that I have heard so many times before... Can you say their name aloud as you lay it upon their grave, as a way to honor them? They need not do this, for on this day, we will know the person. This is saved for when you are there to place the wreaths on the entire cemetery and you don't know the person buried there. It is their way of recognizing their sacrifice, a small way of honoring them by acknowledging them by name.
I take three wreaths.
They always mark each wreath, they are counted and distributed. Each one was donated, and not only for Arlington but, for all of the National Cemeteries across America. People like you and me. Grumman Corporation donates $20,000.00 every year. It is amazing how much has been done, especially because they are all donations.
I can see that many wreaths have already been placed, with many more people still milling about. My heart goes out to some mother, her loss was fairly new...
But, does it ever get old?
A father covering the grave of his son with a wreath. I stood, watching from afar, and then, he stood straight as an arrow and gave him a salute, soldier to soldier. Then he leaned down and kissed his stone, father to son. I think my heart broke in half. 💔
Many more are starting to show up and will continue to do so until they close later today. On these 624 acres that make up the cemetery, there are 400,000 people buried here and each one will get a wreath. I will be back on the 18th of December.
It will be my honor.
All I have are my words, armed in my mind, written in pen, stand by stand. Oh, yes. Still by hand. It has a different feel. Altered not by keys, backspace, and delete, I write, erase, tear it to pieces and start all over again. And again.
It’s my way. I walk out to the deep end of the page and dive right in.
“The cost of getting those wreaths to the cemetery was the barrier to getting more wreaths down there. Crowley Cares, the charitable piece of the corporation, has matched all the donations that have been made, and all the transportation has been donated, so we removed that barrier. It goes beyond the fact that you’re delivering a wreath to be laid on a servicemember’s grave. You’re delivering so much more when you think of the families that will see that wreath, potentially for the first time, laid on their loved one’s grave. The opportunity to deliver that level of heart-felt thanks is why we do what we do.”...Vice President, Government Solutions unit, Patrick Wallace
You can read more about Wreaths Across America here.
Soldier, Rest! Thy Warfare O'Er
Soldier, rest! thy warfare o'er,
Sleep the sleep that knows not breaking:
Dream of battled fields no more,
Days of danger, nights of waking.
In our isle's enchanted hall,
Hands unseen thy couch are strewing,
Fairy strains of music fall,
Every sense in slumber dewing.
Soldier, rest! thy warfare o'er,
Dream of fighting fields no more:
Sleep the sleep that knows not breaking,
Morn of toil, nor night of waking.
Sir Walter Scott
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Denise, this is a beautiful post.
I scrolled back through your other posts over the past month or so. Sadly, and perhaps tellingly, this one received the smallest payout. It should have received the highest. I will refrain from further comment other than to say "thank you" for what you do.
Truly, you understand.
Quill
Thank you, Quill. @quillfire It was my favorite too. Sometimes it is just timing on the payouts. Most of my other ones from Arlington pay out well. Perhaps it was the way I wrote it. I wrote right after I got back.
I say very little about Arlington, my ties with it, and anything else as less is definitely best. It is always an honor. I am sure you know that. Thank you for expressing your words so eloquently, always.
I actually do understand.
For two people so intimately connected to the military, do you find it ironic that neither of us has any upvoting discipline whatsoever? Your battery is always as drained as mine.
I'll bet Ol' Guy rolls his eyes in derision.
😂
Quill
I wish I had his discipline! I'm always running on empty. Surprising, isn't it?
I earning this Hive to spread it around. So, I try my best. :)
I laugh at how long the recharge is. Let's go upvote Ol' Guy!
Denise, I already did. This morning. Every post at 100%. 😂😂😂
Quill
I don't think I got the post from today. I should go over and check.
Very somber and difficult time to spend there for sure. Tugged at my heart looking at the people there, especially the mother (or grandmother can’t tell) and young child looking at the grave. That’s an awful thing to have to experience no matter where you live. Lots more to say for sure but refraining from going in a different direction lol.
Thanks for helping with the wreath ceremony, I sincerely appreciate it!
Mother, but, she is a grandmother. I talked to her. It was his son. It is awful to experience, but, I have been on both sides of the argument.
It is also self-serving for me as it is the time when only the family of the deceased can go in. They have a special ceremony for privacy.
Mother, but, she is a grandmother. I talked to her. It was his son. It is awful to experience, but, I have been on both sides of the argument.
It is also self-serving for me as it is the time when only the family of the deceased can go in. They have a special ceremony for privacy.
That is probably the most difficult thing a person could ever do. My heart is breaking just thinking about it! I would be an absolute mess if I ever lost any of my children.
It's one of the most difficult days, Victor
It defies all that is natural, breaking the normal progression of life. I pray that you would never know this pain.
Respect.
There is no greater form of respect than a soldier willing to lay down their life for the freedom of another. A concept that is very difficult for so many to understand.
Indeed. For most it's best to let others do the hard work they, themselves, can't or won't do.
You know, if someone doesn't want to be there, I don't think I want them there. Would you?
Yes, I agree.
Those who serve do so regardless of who they serve for. All are the same, all need someone else to make that sacrifice...Unfortunately those who accept the protection of others don't always appreciate it.
It is how it is.
I remember you posting about arepa previous wreath laying day and again as reading this post I was so touched by emotions of all the people attending and placing wreaths for loved ones they have lost
Such a beautiful, touching, sad and yet heart warming post
It is such a poignant reminder of the passing of time. I have to admit that I cannot go into the cemetery without feeling a deep sense of gratitude and sadness that we need to lose lives in order to save lives. But, I'm not going to get political here.
Thank you for stopping by and leaving your words. xo
I will also stay away from being political, but I know what you mean I feel the same when visiting a military cemetery or memorial
Exactly.
Being a Vet and coming from a military family I was very moved by your post. Our family has been fortunate over the generations, ours all came home including my son who did two tours in Afghanistan. I cannot cry enough tears to abate the losses others have suffered. I have been to Arlington before, I hope to go again, I can not walk those sacred grounds without the shedding of tears and a heartfelt thanks to those that are buried there.
Thank you for your service and your family also. My father and five of my six brothers were all in. Uncles, cousins... and the list goes on. I am not from here, but. landed here via the Pentagon. Everyone gets the puzzle palace at least once and twice if they are lucky.
So touching.
Goosebumps all over me.
Remembering soldiers.
So touching, @dswigle.
Thank you @silversaver. It is always a moving moment for me, no matter how many times I go. Thank you so much for the words. xoxo
Remembrance of the young fallen to violence is a hard reckoning. Beauty helps the healing. Yes, I am not sure I would stand up well to seeing a grieving parent.
Blessing to you, Beauty.
There is nothing in the world that prepares a parent to lose a child. Not in war, peace, accident, or sickness. It defies the natural pattern of life...
Thank you, Pryde.
Thank you, @wesphilbin
What a really cool ceremony. I like that you have to say the name. That makes it really special. I don't think we visited the cemetery when we went to DC. I remember seeing it across the road or river (I don't remember), but we had already walked a ton that day and I was really young so we didn't make it through. I'd like to get back to DC some day.
It still gives me goosebumps, but, I really like acknowledging this soldier, instead of just placing the wreath and walking away. It makes me feel like he will always make a difference.
It is across the Memorial Bridge from downtown, you can actually get a great view of downtown from the hill there. It is a hike from downtown, especially when you have been sightseeing all day. Nowadays there are nice tours and the Hop-On Hop-Off tours, which I am a huge fan of for people with limited time. For sure, you need to come back. I always say, stay out of the city and Metro in. More bang for the buck and everything here is basically free. :) What a deal!
I am pretty sure when we went there we stayed at a campground and we took the subway into town to do our sight seeing. I think we did drive around at one point because I have some pictures I took from the back seat. I remember walking down towards the Lincoln and Jefferson memorials and it seems like the cemetery was around there. But then we turned and headed towards the Vietnam wall maybe... Like I said, it was a long time ago.
If you don't live here, I wouldn't expect you to remember. The Lincoln Memorial is just short of a mile to the main entrance of the Arlington Cemetery, bringing you in at the Memorial to the Women in Military Service. It has sidewalks on both sides, although the bridge has a roundabout on each end of it, making it a bit of a challenge for those not used to a lot of traffic. I walk and run this route at times and it is not bad at all.
I am glad you got a chance to see it. It has changed so much in terms of not being able to walk up to some of the monuments, such as the Capitol stairs and building anymore, not since 9/11.
True, I usually have a pretty good memory for that sort of stuff though. Like maps and directions I mean. I love roundabouts. I wish we had more of them here in Michigan.
I love roundabouts and miss Europe as many places don't even use traffic signals. I have to admit, many Americans don't know how to properly use them, causing many accidents over right of way.
Yikes.
Be careful what you wish for. :) Having said that, they make so much more sense!
Yeah, they do cause a lot of accidents. People need to slow down and pay attention and they will be okay. They put a big one in a couple years ago near my relatives in Columbus, OH and they seriously had an accident every day for a while...
Wow, cemetery in America is looking decent and beautiful that people can walk around. Unlike in my State, Akwa Ibom (Nigeria) is not decent and is filled up with weeds and people are not allowed to enter to place wreaths across as it is done in America.
I want to asked, when the visit this place. Don't they cry over their love ones?
Thank you @dswigle for this wonderful piece.
Absolutely. This is Arlington National Cemetery where military personnel are buried. It is maintained by the Army and done with honor. I have attended many funerals there and I can assure you, many tears are shed.
Do people go and grieve over their loved ones? Definitely. Every. Single. Day.
The wreaths were donated by one man and eventually, the press found out, and now, much of the money is donated to the event and volunteers go and place the wreaths on the graves.
Most cemeteries that I go to are cared for. I am sure there are some that have been neglected, but, my experience is that most are not. Thank you for stopping by! Have a nice day!
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You're welcome @dswigle, that's with pleasure! We wish you a very nice day 😊🌹 See you soon.
Thanks! Oh, I meant to ask you @hivebuzz - I was doing the 30-day Hiveblopomo (I think it is spelled that way!) and I thought I got the 30 days or did I somehow miss the Universal time? Thanks!
Dear @dswigle, we do not know about the rule of "hiveblopomo". The best thing to do is to ask the organizer directly.
Yay! 🤗
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Thank you for the repost @pixresteemer! Much appreciated!