Saturday morning started out cold, and the temperature only dropped lower as the hours passed. A light drizzle turned into a downpour.
But the dreary weather didn’t dampen the spirits of those who turned out at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery to place more than 43,000 Christmas wreaths on the graves of soldiers and their family members. So many volunteers showed up that a line of cars stretched a quarter-mile down Harry Wurzbach Road, waiting to get in.
The ceremony, and a similar one held Saturday at San Antonio National Cemetery, was part of Wreaths Across America, a nationwide event intended to preserve the memories of deceased veterans. A single man started the tradition in 1992 at Arlington National Cemetery near Washington, D.C., and it went nationwide in 2005 after a photo of the wreaths went viral.
“Veterans die two deaths. One is the physical death, and the other one is when no one says your name again,” said Jean Clark, deputy state captain for the San Antonio region of the Texas Patriot Guard, an organization devoted to honoring veterans. He rode to the event on his motorcycle, wearing a leather jacket covered with patriotic patches.
Volunteers walked through the 338-acre cemetery carrying stacks of wreaths to place on the graves. Some of them were lucky enough to have ponchos or umbrellas, while others just got wet. When they placed the wreaths on the graves, they spoke the name of the deceased out loud to make sure they would be remembered.
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Before setting out with the wreaths, the volunteers viewed a procession of motorcycles and semi-trucks decked with American flags, candy canes, wreaths and other Christmas decorations. A band from Boerne Middle School played “Deck the Halls” and other Christmas classics, covering their instruments with plastic bags between tunes.
“Just reflect, just for a second, and be thankful for the reason we are here. We are all here because we have lost a loved one,” Judy Carlile, an event volunteer for the past eight years, told the crowd. “Just take a minute to say ‘Thank you for your service.’”
The crowd then observed a moment of silence, listened to the bugle call taps, offered a prayer, recited the Pledge of Allegiance and sang the national anthem. Wreaths were laid for each branch of the armed services, and a flock of doves was released.
At one point, the ceremony was put on pause so volunteers in the audience could give hugs to the strangers standing next to them.
“It is our duty to keep freedom alive,” state Sen. Donna Campbell told the crowd. “With each wreath laid we recommit ourselves to the cause they died for that we’re obligated to preserve.”
Pete Neber drove to San Antonio from his home in the Dallas area to participate in the ceremony and visit family. His sister-in-law was recently buried in the cemetery after dying of breast cancer, he said. He’s retired from the Air Force, and many of his family members are also veterans.
“This is something that brings us all together — our family, our roots,” he said. He and his family members were considering getting some hot cocoa after the event.
“Look at how beautiful this looks,” Neber said, motioning to the wreaths on the gravestones. “Regardless of the holiday, I think it’s always good to remember those before you.”
