Sailors assigned to the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73), along with other service members and volunteers from around the Hampton Roads area, participated in a “Wreaths Across America” event at the Hampton Roads National Cemetery, Dec. 15.

Volunteers unloaded wreaths from trucks, stacked wreaths along the aisles of the cemetery, participated in an opening ceremony honoring every branch of the military, and placed wreaths in front of every grave in the cemetery.    

“It’s just showing our respects to the ones that have fallen and come before us,” said Quartermaster Seaman Apprentice Chris Miner, a Sailor assigned to George Washington.

According to Wreaths Across America’s website, the program began as a small yearly tradition in 1992 when a family in Maine, with the help of volunteers, placed spare wreaths on graves in Arlington National Cemetery in areas that received few visitors to honor the service members who had died. After gaining national attention from a photo taken during one of the yearly ceremonies, the tradition blossomed into a nationwide event. Each year thousands of volunteers from across the country transport wreaths to participating cemeteries and hold ceremonies to remember fallen United States veterans. These events honor those who currently serve in the armed forces and teach the next generation the value and cost of freedom.

“It’s emotional and humbling,” said Legalman 1st Class Katie Holden, leading petty officer of the legal department on George Washington.

The volunteers were encouraged to say the name on the headstone they placed a wreath in front of to fully understand and appreciate the service the fallen service member gave the United States.

“Every time I placed a wreath down and said the name on the headstone, it was definitely emotional,” said Holden.

Maribel Beckwith, president of the Navy Wives Clubs of America, Peninsula Norfolk 91, coordinated the Hampton Roads National Cemetery into the Wreaths Across America event.

“I do this to thank the personnel who have made the ultimate sacrifice and the families who have allowed them to be away from them to serve our country,” said Beckwith.

Wreaths Across America coordinates wreath-laying ceremonies at more than 1,400 locations across the United States, at sea and abroad.

“I feel Wreaths Across America is very important because we need to remember and honor those who have given their lives for our freedom,” said Electronics Technician Seaman Kade Gibbs, a Sailor assigned to George Washington. “It is also important to honor those who are risking their lives every day to protect the freedom that many have died for.”

The wreaths will stay on the headstones at Hampton Roads National Cemetery through mid-January.

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