December 16, 2024
Every December a holiday staple makes a humbling statement at national and state cemeteries across the country: live wreaths adorned with bright red bows are laid at veterans’ graves.
“It’s almost indescribable,” says Sgt. Tracey Smith, assigned to the Michigan State Police (MSP) Paw Paw Post. “Once you see it, you understand why this is so meaningful.”
The effort, now known as Wreaths Across America, began in 1992 with a Maine business looking to pay forward its surplus of holiday wreaths. The owner’s boyhood experience at Arlington National Cemetery was the connection leading to a now annual tradition honoring our veterans. That first time, the donated wreaths were placed at Arlington in one of the older sections receiving fewer visitors.
Today, Wreaths Across America has grown to include more than 4,600 cemeteries in all 50 states, and internationally, including Michigan’s two largest, federally maintained national cemeteries – Great Lakes in Holly and Fort Custer in Augusta.
“My father was buried at Great Lakes National Cemetery in 2017,” said Motor Carrier Insp. Pat Morris, assigned to the MSP Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division. “I’m a veteran and when I became familiar with Wreaths Across America, I knew our members would benefit from volunteering. Our first year it was me, my wife and a retired lieutenant.”
Since then, Inspector Morris has involved others in the department, and invited members of MSP’s Military Veteran Employee Resource Group (ERG) to participate.
“My wife and I would honor our family interned at Fort Custer National Cemetery, but I didn’t know anything about Wreaths Across America until Inspector Morris asked me to organize MSP participation at Fort Custer,” said MC Sgt. Scott Morrison, assigned to the MSP Marshall Post. “I’m also a veteran and now take part in the opening ceremony as the first responder designee.”
Volunteers ensure the act of kindness is unending just like the circles of greenery they place.
MC Sergeant Morrison spread the word about this impactful program at his worksite, which led to Sergeant Smith, a member of the United States Marine Corps Reserve, to attend the ceremony and assist with laying wreaths.
“It’s mid-December and inevitably cold, and that makes it special too,” said Sergeant Smith. “You’re a little bit uncomfortable but nothing compared to what our veterans sacrificed. I have family at Fort Custer, too and would want someone to be there to honor them if I couldn’t.”
Remember the fallen. Honor those who serve. Teach the next generation the value of freedom. That is the mission. Wreaths are provided through sponsorships and donations, with the work of placing the wreaths done by volunteers like those from the State Police and its Military Veteran ERG.
“We’re there to serve the veterans and their families, to honor what they stand for and gave to us,” said MC Insp. Pat Morris. “We serve warm drinks, escort vehicles in and lay wreaths. The goal is to have every gravesite covered and remembered.”
