At the Houston National Cemetery our veterans' sacrifices are honored in a special way this holiday season, with the laying of wreaths, thousands of them.
"These families, you know, their loved ones have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country," said Airman First Class Justin Watts of the Texas State Guard. "It is a way for us to step up and say to that family member we thank you for what has happened."
It is a sacrifice made by countless families. It's what drew them here on a weekend morning.
"I'm out here mainly to honor the veterans and my cousin who is in Afghanistan right now," said volunteer Jordan Carwile.
He hopes his cousin will come home safe, but for those who have not over the decades and for those who've served with honor, this is a way to remember them.
"I think that it's wonderful," said Jackie Walton who lives in northeast Harris County. "But I don't think there's enough for all these graves out here, because there are a lot of graves."
About 14,000 wreaths were donated in this huge volunteer effort. There are thousands more grave sites here. More than 52,000 total, but this is an incredible beginning.
"It's a really great way to honor your veterans," Carwile said. "Especially if you have anyone serving in the armed forces, really come out here to help honor them."
Letting these service members and their loved ones know, in some small way, they are resting in our hearts this holiday season.
Saturday's event was part a larger campaign called, Wreaths Across America. The goal is to place memorial wreaths at each of the state and national cemeteries, and veterans' monuments across the country.
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