On Saturday, communities nationwide took part in an event called Wreaths across America.
8 years ago when the event first took place at the Northern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery, only 28 wreaths were placed on graves. However, for the last three years, 100% of the nearly 7,000 graves have had a wreath placed beneath it.
Brett Palmer, president of the Nevada Veteran’s Coalition, says all of Saturday’s attendees were asked to complete a small task when placing down their wreath.
“A person is not forgotten as long as his name is spoken, so what we ask people to do when they come out here is take a wreath, walk over to a headstone, speak the name and revive the memory,” says Palmer.
Palmer says the nearly 2,000 people who attended the event in Fernley shared not just their respect but also a piece of Christmas with all of the fallen heroes.
“We're giving back a Christmas that, that veteran sacrificed at some point in time during his military career," says Palmer.
Some grieved on Saturday, while others laughed and shared memories about lost loved ones.
For Michael Kelley and his family, circling up around the grandparent's graves during Wreaths across America has become a tradition.
"Gather around, have old sessions like we used to when they were around and just kind of relive that vibe when they were here," says Kelley.
Kelley says seeing so many others give back to their family, friends or even complete strangers, is what honoring a lost veteran should look like, especially around the holidays.
“It's a nice gathering and a good environment, kind of like home, like I've been here before,” says Kelley.
