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Santa's Helpers Lay Christmas Wreaths at Arlington National Cemetery

By Larry Woda

Even as a kid, I was awed by Arlington National Cemetery when my parents took my sisters and me to Washington, D.C. from our home in Ohio. It's not just the landscape that's impressive, but realization of all the history represented by those thousands of headstones which seem to stretch on forever.

If you never visited Arlington National Cemetery, let me describe it to you: rolling hills, winding roadways, clusters of mature trees, and small groups of people reading headstones here and there. Other than the sound of Taps being played at yet another funeral, it's a quiet place - a place for reflection and prayer, like any cemetery, but exaggerated by its pure magnitude and your awareness of the heroes resting here who each contributed in their own way to the freedom and quality of life we enjoy now.

Today, I had the privilege of joining hundreds, if not thousands, of volunteers to lay 10,000 wreathes at Arlington Cemetery. Margaret thought you might be interested in hearing about this, so here goes:

To learn about the people who participated, the day's agenda, and the American heroes whose graves were decorated with wreathes by Larry, please follow this link to: Santa's Helpers Lay Wreaths at Arlington Cemetery

Thanks, Larry, for sharing this story with my readers!

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Posted by Margaret Woda, Maryland Real Estate on 12/15/2007 10:32 PM

Comments (32)

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Originally posted at: Fort Meade - USNA - Andrews AFB: Santa's Helpers Lay Christmas Wreaths at Arlington National Cemetery

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32 Comments on Santa's Helpers Lay Christmas Wreaths at Arlington National Cemetery

DEC

2007

Margaret, That is an awesome sight. What an honor to be a part of this amazing event to give respect and homage to our brave solders. Thank you Larry for sharing this with us

Ginger

Margaret, I heard about this on the news tonight...we don't give enough 'thanks' to those who have served, and died, for our country...these pictures are awesome!

DEC

2007

Margaret,

What a wonderful display of patriotism and caring!!! Thanks, Fran

Hi Margaret: That is such an awesome and breathtaking sight in your picture above. I remember when my Dad passed away in 1989 there was a whole group from his local VFW there. Dad fought in World War II, so of course they were an older bunch... but I remember how fervently they stood at his service... as they remembered others they knew personally who fought and died in service to their country. Thanks for sharing this Margaret. As usual... you continue to amaze me with your posts and writing. And, congratulations on your outside blog Focus on Crofton. You are doing a superb job... it looks great, and reads even better. Take care... stay warm...

Hi, Karen Anne - Living so close to Washington, D.C., we have so many opportunities to participate in history as it comes to life. We just don't do it enough. Thanks for the compliment - I'll pass it on to my husband who wrote this. And glad you like my blog... how is yours coming?

Fran - It is impressive! I hope to go see it, over the next few weeks. As I understand it, the wreaths remain in place through January - and then they look for volunteers to help remove them.

Mary - Larry says the wreaths are about 22-24 inches, fresh balsam greens, with a hand-made muli-loop velvet bow. A lot of people put in a lot of time on these before they even went on the trucks!

Ginger & Roger - Larry was glad to be part of this. We've been to Arlington before, for funerals and to take visiting exchange students, but neither of us had ever participated in Wreaths across America. This company donated, including the transportation, 15,000 wreaths this year - 10,000 to Arlington and 5,000 to other Veterans cemetaries across the country.

Margaret, please pass along to Larry my thanks for his caring and dedication. What he and the others do year after year is heartwarming.

Margaret, I'm with Kris. Please tell Larry 'thank you' for taking the time to participate. I have family interred at Arlington... The last time I was there was over the Fourth of July in '91. I definitely appreciate him giving his time to lay the wreaths.

Margaret, Larry

Beautiful looking post you put together. Very nice. Love your photos.

Neal, thank you!

Jesse & Clifton - On the wreaths across america website, they have a couple of utube videos you might be interested in, since you have family at Arlington. What an honor for them!

Kris - It was a memorable day for him. But can you imagine the preparation that must have gone into this in Maine!?!?!

Margaret-I was writing a post last night about Arlington and the wreaths. My husband is buried at Arlington and there are a couple of times of year when visiting the cemetery has even more meaning, Christmas is one of them. Thanks to your husband for sharing the story and joining in the honoring of our servicemen & women. I'll change my post so it doesn't look like a copy!

Cindy - No problem - you bring an entirely different perspective to the event! There were many details he didn't mention, so there's still plenty to write about. Why don't we each post a link to the other, when you're done... just send it to me, so I don't miss it. I'll post your link on my outside blog, as well.

Margaret: Sometimes there are just no words to describe what is in the heart. What a beautiful post and the picture is so humbling. (Larry, thank you for your dedication). God Bless.

Margaret & Larry What a wonderful thing to be a part of this time of year. These are the things that mean so much Thank you for your dedications and God Bless you! I remember taking field trips there as a child and the first time I saw my grandfather's grave I was just amazed. I have several relatives burried there So thank you again!

Donna, Every now and then Larry and I remind each other that we live next door to the Nation's Capitol and should participate in more of the amazing things going on. As a Vietnam veteran himself, it really meant a lot to participate in this project.

Katie, the wreathes will be there through January, I understand - you should try to come across the bridge to see them since you have relatives there. Might be a good living history lesson for your children. Besides, maybe we could squeeze out that lunch over here AND when I go to Delaware!

Great post. Thanks for sharing this with those of us that are not there. Arlington National Cemetery is one of our nation's sites that everyone should see at least once. It is a sight to behold..with a lot of meaning!

Margaret and Larry - your pictures are as powerful as your words. I never knew that there is such tradition to place the wreaths. There isn't ever too much we can do to remember those who gave their life for us. My grandfather was killed in WWII, and my father went to war at the age of 16. Thank you for volunteering for this.

Faina, yes this amazing couple started this in 1990 (I believe), and they now reach out to Veterans cemeteries across the country with another 5000 wreaths. Check out their website because there could be a place near you where you could participate next year.

David and Kristin - 'sounds like you might have been there before. It's not always high on the list of to-do's for tourists to D.C., but it's worth making the time.

Larry - Thank you for volunteering to lay the wreaths for out fallen heroes. Margaret, The picture of the rows of headstones gives us a wonderful glimpse into the sight of our national cemetery at this time of year when we celebrate "peace on earth".

Margaret & Larry,
What a wonderful tradition and tribute to our veterans. I remember the first time I saw this on t.v, it is an awesome sight! Larry, thank you for being a part of this.

Margaret, thank you for doing this and sharing this. I actually had no idea it was done. I showed my husband who is a history teacher and WWII freak, he had no clue either.

Thanks for you time in doing this for all of us. It is so appreciated.

Larry and Margaret,

Thank you for sharing this beautiful post. I've heard about this once before, but completely forgot about it. Arlington is such a special place, it was a very moving experience for me.

I've also been to the Punchbowl (cemetary) several times in Honolulu, the burial ground of the Pacific. The last times was an Easter Sunrise Service three years ago. It too was a memorable experience. As the daughter of a WWII vet, I'm so proud of the men and women who gave so much for our freedom today. Thank you for your participation and sharing the spirit of the season of caring and joy.

Diane, There are ten locations in California where they do this, and five in Hawaii, but that's a long list - I'll just refer you to the website. I know what you mean about just being there is a moving experience, in itself.

Missy, There are four veterans cemeteries in Michigan that participate in this - Great Lakes National Cemetery - Holly, Fort Custer National Cemetery - Augusta Grand Rapids Veterans Soldiers Home Cemetery - Grand Rapids and Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens - Grand Rapids . It looks like they all within a two hour drive from Ann Arbor, so maybe your husband will want to go next year. They have this the same day and time at locations across the country.

Cynthia, We've seen it on TV in past years, as well, but always after it took place. This year, we got an email from our University Alumnae Association inviting us to participate.

Judy, I agree - Those pictures were attached to emails my husband received prior to this, and they were very inspirational. There are two utube videos on the Wreaths Across America website, too.

Margaret and Larry,

What a beautiful post. Arlington Cemetary is Very special to me.

My Family has 8 grave sites on "Pershing's Hill" in Arlington. So far, my Grandfather (a career Navy man) Father (Navy WWII), 2 uncles (Navy and Army WWII), my cousin (Marine killed in Vietnam) and an Aunt are buried there. It is such a beautiful place. I knew that small american flags are placed on the individual graves for Memorial Day and Veteran's Day, but I've never seen the christmas wreaths. You have inspired me to take a trip to Arlington before the Holidays are over!!

Debbie, thanks for commenting! I'm thinking we may go for a visit when my daughter is in town from Texas for the holidays, if she has time. The amazing thing about these wreaths is that they are made, donated and even delivered by one donor. Larry said they even come off the truck with bows already on them. I know what a project it was for my garden club to do wreaths for our small village green, so this undertaking just blows me away!

Margaret - Larry's recollection of the events was extremely moving. The photos are amazing. Thanks for a most touching post.

Margaret - There are so many words I can think of to express my sentiments about Larry's efforts at Arlington, but the most important would be THANK YOU. We live close to Quantico National Cemetery and every Memorial Day my husband pays a visit to the gravesites of those veterans he knew even though they did not serve together. When he returns home it takes hours for him to stop talking about the debt we owe the brave men and women who served our country. This very emotional expression coming from my old Marine husband makes me realize what a bond our veterans have and what a special place they deserve in our hearts. As Arthur would say to Larry, "Semper Fi"

Thank you, Karen. I think that veterans may feel "There but for the grace of God, go I.." Neither Larry nor I have yet been able to visit the Vietnam Memorial - it's a little too close, still.

Margaret- Very nice post about Arlington and the wonderful blessing that it is to be able to participate in this event. Katerina

Hi Margaret, Arlington is such a thought provoking place. I served in Vietnam and could not visit the wall and probably never will even after over 30 years. I have been to Gettysburg. I can not imagine the honor of placing the wreaths. Great Post Margaret.

DEC

2007

Margaret, What a wonderful contribution. Arlington Cemetary is indeed beautiful and very moving. It truly is a place that brings thought and reflection. Thank you for sharing the information and pictures, especially at this time of the year and for reminding us of the sacrifices that have been made for our freedoms. Something we often lose sight of in our busy lives.

Nestor & Katerina - It is, and we don't do enough of it. 'Living so close to the Nation's Capitol is a wonderful opportunity that we sometimes take for granted.

Gary - It is, indeed. It took Larry longer to get there and back than it did to participate, but he felt it was well worth it.

Kathleen - We do, don't we? I was born in D.C. and have lived most of my life in this area, and never went to Arlington National Cemetery 'til we had French foreign exchange students staying with us. In fact, I saw a lot of national monuments then. I sometimes think that tourists from other areas have experienced more of my "home town" than I have.

Thank you for posting this. When I heard about it on the radio I was so blessed. There is a man in our area who posts a flag on every telephone poll with all the veterans name, rank and their age from this war plus. He covers many towns doing this.

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