WASHINGTON, D.C. — This weekend, thousands of volunteers from across the country will come together at Arlington National Cemetery for a powerful act of remembrance — laying wreaths and speaking the names of America’s fallen heroes.
It’s the final resting place for thousands of servicemembers and veterans — from the Civil War to the conflicts of today.
“And it’s important that we continue to remember those men and women and the service that they did for this country and that we continue to say their name,” said U.S. Air Force veteran Fred Wienecke.
On Saturday, Wienecke will be reading the names of American heroes while laying wreaths at their graves.
“It’s incredibly emotional. Again, I don’t think there are words that can adequately describe what it’s like to be out there,” he added.
Wienecke made the trip from Erie, Pennsylvania, with his family to take part in Wreaths Across America — a mission he’s returned to for the past three years — ensuring America’s heroes, including those he served with, are never forgotten.
“We lay the wreath and then we say the veteran’s name, serviceman or woman’s name,” Wienecke said. “A veteran dies twice in their lifetime. The first is on the field of battle or the subsequent years following their service. And the second time is when their name is no longer uttered.”
Arlington National Cemetery is where the nationwide tradition began in 1992. What started quietly more than three decades ago has grown into a nationwide movement — uniting Americans from all walks of life in remembrance.
“While we’re walking on these grounds, things like political opinions and all of that just melt away,” Wienecke said. “We’re out here for one thing and one thing only, and that’s to honor these veterans.”
For Wienecke, honoring veterans doesn’t stop at Arlington. Back home in Erie, his holiday lights shine with purpose.
Inspired by the holiday favorite: Christmas Vacation, his decked-out home sparked his nonprofit, “Operation Griswold,” which raises money for veterans living at the Soldiers and Sailors Home in Erie.
“The state services are limited to what they provide to our veterans. So things that you might expect are provided. They are things like toiletries and laundry, soap, clothing — articles, things that we take for granted that we have,” Wienecke said.
From Erie to Arlington and across the country, Wienecke is encouraging others to remember, honor and make sure no veteran is ever forgotten — especially during the holidays.
