Photo Essays
Wreath Event to Honor Veterans at Arlington National Cemetery
Charles "Chuck" Wright, commander of the Kansas City Composite Squadron, a civil air patrol, salutes after he places a wreath on the son of a veteran Dec. 15, 2007, at Arlington National Cemetery. Wright, a Vietnam War Marine veteran, volunteered to place some of the 10,000 wreaths donated by the Worcester Wreath Co. in Harrington, Maine. About 3,000 volunteers from around the country participated in what has become an annual event to honor and remember veterans. Morrill Worcester, owner of Worcester Wreath Co. in Harrington, Maine, heads uphill to the grave of U.S. Navy Adm. William "Bull" Halsey to place a wreath on his grave at Arlington National Cemetery, Dec. 15, 2007. Worcester donated more than 10,000 balsam fir wreaths for the event, which he started in 1992.Morrill Worcester, owner of Worcester Wreath Co. in Harrington, Maine, lays a wreath at the grave of U.S. Navy Adm. William "Bull" Halsey at Arlington National Cemetery, Dec. 15, 2007. Worcester donated more than 10,000 wreaths to the cemetery in an annual event he started in 1992 to honor and remember veterans. Mary Elizabeth Beatty of Meadville, Penn., bundles up as her grandson, U.S. Navy Senior Chief John Steiner, escorts her during an annual event to place wreaths on graves at Arlington National Cemetery, Dec. 15, 2007.Betty J. Kelson of Army Arlinton Ladies fights back tears as she carries two wreaths to place on graves during an annual holiday event to honor and remember veterans at Arlington National Cemetery, Dec. 15, 2007.A bugler plays taps after wreaths are placed at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier during an annual holiday event to honor and remember veterans at Arlington National Cemetery, Dec. 15, 2007.A tree frames Arlington National Cemetery's section 33 when wreaths decorate graves to honor and remember veterans during an annual holiday event Dec. 15, 2007.A pink bouquet of roses adds to the color from blazing red bows on fir wreaths placed on graves at Arlington National Cemetery during an annual event to honor and remember veterans on Dec. 15, 2007.Wayne Hanson, wreath coordinator for the Maine State Society of Washington, D.C., talks with volunteers during an annual event to honor and remember veterans at Arlington National Cemetery, Dec. 13, 2007. About 3,000 volunteers came from across the country to place more than 10,000 wreaths on graves.Sixth graders from Calient, Nev., pose for a class picture during an annual holiday event to honor and remember veterans at Arlington National Cemetery, Dec. 15, 2007. The students came as volunteers to help place more than 10,000 wreaths on graves.Maine State Rep. Joseph L. Tibbetts places a wreath and salutes the grave of Edmund Muskie, former Maine senator and secretary of state, during an annual event to honor and remember veterans at Arlington National Cemetery Dec. 15, 2007.Julia Lafferty, the great-grandaughter of Marine Col. Chester and Julia Davis, both burried at Arlington National Cemetery, tries to stay warm as she participates in an annual event to honor and remember veterans at the cemetery on Dec. 15, 2007. Volunteers crowd around one of two trucks carrying wreaths to place on graves during an annual event to honor and remember veterans at Arlington National Cemetery, Dec. 15, 2007. About 3,000 volunteers played more than 10,000 wreaths in only a few hours during freezing temperatures.One of about 3,000 volunteers from around the country hands out wreaths to other volunteers to place on graves during an annual holiday event to honor and remember veterans at Arlington National Cemetery, Dec. 15, 2007.A young volunteer watches as other volunteers hand out wreaths as quickly as they can during an annual holiday event to honor and remember veterans at Arlington National Cemetery, Dec. 15, 2007. Balsam fir wreaths with blazing red ribbons lie on graves after about 3,000 volunteers from around the country placed them during an annual holiday event to honor and remember veterans at Arlington National Cemetery, Dec. 15, 2007.
Charles "Chuck" Wright, commander of the Kansas City Composite Squadron, a civil air patrol, salutes after he places a wreath on the son of a veteran Dec. 15, 2007, at Arlington National Cemetery. Wright, a Vietnam War Marine veteran, volunteered to place some of the 10,000 wreaths donated by the Worcester Wreath Co. in Harrington, Maine. About 3,000 volunteers from around the country participated in what has become an annual event to honor and remember veterans.
Defense Dept. photo by Linda Hosek