MILLSBORO, Del.- Volunteers came out to the Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery to pick up over 3000 wreaths that were placed during the Wreaths Across America event, back in December. 3000 wreaths picked up, and graves of veterans who served our country were cleaned up. Though the wreaths were laid down for six weeks, the memories of the fallen family and service members still live on. Wreaths Across America honors fallen veterans by placing wreaths before Christmas on the graves of the fallen. This day is made possible by the help of volunteers both of people currently in service and other members of the community. First Sergeant Harmon of the 262nd Maintenance Company said, "So when we started there use to be very few volunteers that would come out but as the years have progressed they just get steady and steady and we're growing." Some volunteers don't have connections to veterans but come out to pay their respects. To former members of the service it means a lot. Richard Douglas, a retired Air Force member said, "They're honoring their country, if they have no one here buried here, if they have no one in their family that served, or if they didn't serve, they're honoring their country." For First Sergeant Harmon, Wreaths Across America is about doing exactly what it stands for, remember, honor, and teach. "You know we, we do what we can and this is such an honor to be able to pay homage you know to those who have sacrificed the ultimate sacrifice," Harmon said. And for the first time at the Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery, every grave had a wreath laid on it. Although all the wreaths were picked up in such a short amount of time some flowers still sit on some of the graves at the cemetery. This means so much more to family and friends because some of their loved ones are buried at the cemetery. Richard's wife is actually buried at the veterans cemetery and for the past three years he has come to not only help with the graves of the veteran's but remember the time he had with his wife. "Continuing to honor her. She stuck with me for 20 something years, moving here and moving there so that's what it means," Douglas said. This year's wreaths across America may be over, but next year the volunteers will group and do it all again. Wreaths Across America takes donations for the wreaths and is always looking for volunteers to help lay, and pick them up after the six weeks. The event takes place at over 2,100 locations, including the biggest one at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia, but all 50 states take part in the remembrance.
Volunteers Help "Wreaths Across America" Cleanup Wreaths and Graves
