As the season of gift giving begins, thousands come together at national military cemeteries across the nation to give a holiday gift to our fallen heroes – a wreath. Through a nonprofit called Wreaths Across America, volunteers honor those who served us by laying wreaths at the headstones of our military heroes.
The effort has grown tremendously since its start in 1992 at Arlington National Cemetery. Voted a national day by Congress in 2008, Wreaths Across America Day now impacts nearly 550 military cemeteries on Dec. 13 each year. The project’s growth has increased volunteer and wreath donation needs, and the help of dedicated volunteers, like Evanthe Papastathis, is essential to coordinate support.
“When I first volunteered in 2007, strangers came up to me afterwards crying and thanking me for making the ceremony happen,” said Evanthe. “Now, it’s overwhelming how many enlisted and retired military personnel and military families call me throughout the year to thank me. For some it helps them grieve, and we cry together. For others, it’s just knowing a stranger cares and our heroes are being remembered during the holidays that means the world to them.”
Evanthe is now a critical part of the program in Georgia and works hard to make sure everyone’s loved one has a wreath this time of year. To help her reach her goal, The Home Depot donated 2,768 wreaths, and 100 Team Depot associate volunteers helped to unload and place ceremony wreaths across the U.S.
“When volunteers from Wreaths Across America visited our stores looking for any leftover wreaths, I knew there was more we could do to help out,” said Chris Wilson, Home Depot district manager. “We’re committed to taking care of veterans, their families and our communities, and it’s important for us to ensure that every solider is recognized this time of year.”
The result of all of the volunteers’ hard work? The privilege of honoring our nation’s heroes and the beautiful scene of thousands of wreath-covered headstones across the country.
