Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Jarred Woods | Service members salute during the National Anthem at the opening of a ceremony...... read more read more
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FORT BLISS, Texas – Countless volunteers traded part of their weekend for the opportunity to bring a bit of holiday reverence to the Fort Bliss National Cemetery this past Saturday.
The event was made possible by Wreaths Across America, an organization committed to honoring veterans laid to rest at national cemeteries throughout the United States and beyond. In addition to the ceremony here, thousands of other volunteers laid wreaths concurrently at other national cemeteries across the country.
Family members of fallen veterans, El Pasoans and various volunteer groups, braving a cold and rainy morning, awaited the arrival of a WAA truck. After a thunderous motorcycle precession of escorting Patriot Guard Riders, the large truck found its place among the crowd. Then, throngs of careful hands unloaded box after box of red and green garland and placed them at headstones throughout the cemetery.
Capt. Keith Bean, a volunteer coordinator with TX 215, El Paso Squadron, Civil Air Patrol, explained his unit’s significance regarding the proceedings.
“The Civil Air Patrol helps out each year with Wreaths Across America, here and all around the nation,” said Bean, a native of Eatonville, Wash.
The CAP plays an integral role with WWA. They process the orders, collect donations and make sure each designated wreath has an identification tag. Then, they coordinate the actual delivery of the wreaths to the cemetery, Bean added.
“It’s a way to bring your lost loved ones into your family during the holiday season. I think it really brings families and communities together. A lot of my buddies are buried in military cemeteries and I never want to forget them. It’s another way to say, ‘thank you for the sacrifice and honor you’ve paid to your country.”
People of all ages, some in groups and others individually, placed wreath after wreath at the headstones. After placing a wreath, some would step back for a moment of silence or render a salute to a fallen comrade.
“It’s very heartwarming to see all the people out here,” said Isabella Duran, a native of El Paso and local high school student. “I’ve always wanted to come out here and do more for the veteran community.”
“Today is also special because my grandfather, who had served in the Army, was recently buried here. It’s great to come out here and do something for those who have done so much for us.”
After all the wreaths had been distributed, a dedication ceremony concluded the day’s events. Special wreaths, honoring each branch of the U.S. armed services, were presented, to include the tomb of the Unknown Soldier as well as those whose last known status was either prisoner of war or missing in action. A moment of silence in honor of those who have served and are still serving ended the ceremony.
“In the future, we’d like to see every single grave in the cemetery adorned with a wreath; that would be a great thing to see,” added Bean.
To learn more, visit www.wreathsacrossamerica.org, epwreaths.org, or call 915-239-6149.
| Date Taken: | 12.15.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 12.17.2015 22:02 |
| Story ID: | 184858 |
| Location: | FORT BLISS, TX, US |
| Hometown: | EATONVILLE, WA, US |
| Hometown: | EL PASO, TX, US |
| Web Views: | 85 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Honoring Fallen Heroes volunteers place wreaths at Fort Bliss National Cemetery, by SFC Jarred Woods, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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