More than four million people visit Arlington National Cemetery annually, many coming to pay final respects at graveside services, of which nearly 100 are conducted each week, Monday through Friday.

Since that first winter in 1992, Morrill Worcester, owner of the Worcester Wreath Co. in Harrington, ME has donated wreaths to the cemetery for the annual wreath-laying event that has grown from about 10 people participating to 200, it now takes a fraction of the time to lay the 4,500 wreaths that are donated by his company.

Tucked in a pocket far off the regular tourist route, Section 60 of this historic cemetery has been reserved as the final resting place for those who have died in Iraq. Also sharing this section are casualties from the War in Afghanistan, the first Persian Gulf War, the 2000 al Qaeda attack on the destroyer USS Cole, the 1992-93 Somalia intervention, Iraq's 1987 attack on the frigate USS Stark, and the terrorist bombing of the U.S. Marine barracks in Beirut in 1983.

Officers in the rank of colonel and above in the Army and the Marine Corps may be provided a caparisoned (rider less) horse, if available.

Brenda Richardson said her son loved leading his troops and sharing insights he'd gained from his superiors and on previous combat deployments to Operation Desert Thunder, Operation Iraqi Freedom I, and Operations Enduring Freedom I and II. His many commendations include a Bronze Star with oak leaf clusters, Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf clusters, and he earned the Master Parachutist Badge.

The tree was adorned with many personal messages from family and friends.

The tree was adorned with many personal messages from family and friends.

Captain Maria Ines Ortiz had a smile that lighted up the hallways in every hospital where she worked, from Aberdeen to Walter Reed to Iraq. When a patient needed extra care, the Army nurse would stay late. If a colleague was feeling blue, she was there.

Marine Corps SSgt. John 'Ryan' Howard, was remembered as a loving and caring person who died believing he could make a difference in Iraq by helping the Iraqi people to become free. SSgt. Howard, an eight year veteran of the United States Marine Corps loved flying in helicopters, and being a United States Marine. He was the best at both. Lance Corporal Tavon L. Hubbard, 24, of Reston, Virginia. Both Marines died August 11, 2004, in a helicopter crash in Al Anbar Province, Iraq.

The Department of Defense announced the death of five Soldiers supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. They died on March 31, in Habbaniyah, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device hit their armored personnel carrier. All of the soldiers were assigned to the Armys 1st Engineer Battalion, 1st Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, Fort Riley, KS. Killed were: 1st Lt. Doyle M. Hufstedler, Spc. Sean R. Mitchell, Spc. Michael G. Karr Jr., Pfc. Cleston C. Raney and Pvt. Brandon L. Davis.

Christopher’s sister Sarah wrote this poem in tribute to her brother. Dear Dear Brother You have gone home, To your Father, your Savior, Your Kingdom is come. Dear Dear Brother, You fought bravely as a knight, You are a Devil Dog with the fearsest bite. Dear Dear Brother We miss you so, Your father, mother, sisters. All your friends and Joe. Dear Dear Brother We will see you again, After triumphs, and troubles, and all of our pain. Dear dear brother, Stay Tough on high. We will remember you. SEMPER FI

U.S. Army Specialist Thomas Joseph Barbieri II was funny, artistic, determined and loving. He died 'a noble and heroic man,' doing what he had always wanted. Specialist Barbieri, who served for six months in Afghanistan before leaving for Iraq, one month later he was killed by insurgents, he was awarded a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart.

Callahan enlisted in the active Marines after the attacks of September 11, 2001. ‘‘He had been in the Reserve, and he signed up because he felt this country was worth fighting for - and then he re-enlisted and went back to Iraq a second time,’’ Callahan volunteered for Toys For Tots in the South Shore area, and also enjoyed Harley-Davidson motorcycles, going to the beach and working in his yard and around his home. Family and friends described him as a devout Catholic who set up an informal ministry for other Marines, who shared their concerns and worries with him.

Andy was a strong and dedicated leader, always willing to lend a helping hand. Although he was only with us a brief time, we were truly blessed in his presence. He constantly made us laugh with his sense of humor; now our cries drown out the laughter as we mourn our beloved loss of our son, brother, uncle, cousin, nephew, grandson, fiancé and dear friend. Corporal Anderson's decorations achievements include the Purple Heart, Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, and the Combat Action Badge. Most importantly he was a good soldier of Jesus Christ.

The tops of many grave stones are now a place for small Mementoes.

It was Mother's Day and their 24th wedding anniversary when Ray and Lisa Philippon learned that their son was killed in Iraq. As a member of the Marine Corps Color Guard, Lance Cpl. Lawrence Philippon carried the flag at the funeral for President Reagan. He'd been begging for combat duty for a while. Even though he enjoyed the color guard, he really wanted to be in Iraq. That is where it is all happening, he had told his Father.

Nicholas Cain Kirven, a big-hearted and magnetic 21-year-old who was finally ready to go to college, recently had confided to his sister that he was exhausted and was headed home to Fair Oaks, in Fairfax County, in just 30 days. But those dreams of college died with the dreamer when he was killed during a firefight with Afghan insurgents in the Alishang District of Laghman Province. "My son was the kind of person who, when he touched someone's life, they shined," Rusty Kirven said. "He was a bridge to other people. He always made people feel good and happy, and always brought people together. . . . I was very proud of him."

The tops of many grave stones are now a place for small Mementoes.

Captain Khan was a Pakistani American who served in the U.S. Army as an ordnance officer, being the senior-most community member to die in Iraq. His colleagues and superiors remembered him for his courage, honesty, sense of humor and grace while in the field, even under pressure. Captain Khan's colleagues eulogized his exemplary services and praised him for the leadership he provided to his troops. The Muslim chaplain who led the Nimaz-e-Janaza after the military honors, specifically highlighted the ethnically-diverse group that had come to pay its respects to Captain Khan. He was one amongst the growing number of Pakistani Americans in the U.S. Army.