Wreaths Across America 2011

Today I had the honor of attending the Dixon California Wreaths Across America™ event. Near 10,000 grave sites were decorated with beautiful evergreen wreaths and red bows. This is a tradition that started at Arlington National Cemetery in 1992 to assure that no fallen soldier would be forgotten during the holidays. Hundreds of volunteers fund the wreaths and attend the event to place them on every headstone and columbarium. Everything starts with honor guards (local ROTC, Color Guard, Patriot Guard riders, etc.), the ceremony includes brief speeches by local public officers, military branch recognition, prayer, 21 gun salute and Taps (always a tear jerker). Most of the photos speak for themselves. The cute kids are mine, usually I leave family out of public photo galleries but I am proud that they choose to attend and contribute.