Letter to the Editor: Placing wreaths a humbling experience

Editor:

Through our eyes, we saw the white tombstones perfectly aligned. We saw a cemetery stark and white transformed into something beautiful after all the wreaths had been placed. We saw the tears and hugs, the kneeling and praying, the saluting, honor and respect of families, friends and comrades.

Through their eyes, we saw grief and sadness, mixed with smiles of remembrances as they shared stories of their loved ones. We saw heroes ... not only the fallen ... but the ones who had been left behind to carry on. We saw countless volunteers who made and donated the thousands of wreaths ... those who helped with the laying of the wreaths, those who donated their time to transport the volunteers ... and countless others.

A wonderful group of friends ... Krista Lutman, Vicki Bromley, Brenda Rosenberger, Becca Ershan, Rhonda Lively, and I, had the honor and privilege of participating with employees of Dominion Power, families and friends, comrades and others, of placing wreaths at Arlington National Cemetery. It was a somber and humbling experience. But it was also an experience not to soon be forgotten as our hearts also swelled with thanks and pride to those who fought to keep us free. The honor and dignity exhibited at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier with the guarding of the tomb and the ceremony of the hourly Changing of the Guard left us speechless.

We encourage and invite others to learn how this all began, and how you can help either through volunteering, or by making donations through the "Wreaths Across America" program, so no stone is left without.

Alisa Kline, Maurertown