Civil Air Patrol Cadets stand at attention awaiting the arrival of the Wreaths Across America caravan of trucks containing the wreaths to be laid at every grave site in Arlington National Cemetery.

Leading the caravan is Gold Star Mother Candy Martin, proud Mother of 1st Lt. Thomas Martin, KIA - Iraq - 14 October 2007. http://www.tommym1080.com

In what began in 1992 as one man's dream and a heartfelt gesture, Worcester Wreath Company initiated the Arlington National Cemetery project - donating over 5000 wreaths each year to adorn the headstones of our fallen veterans. Thank You Morrill Worcester.

The wreath laying is held annually, on the second Saturday of every December. Our annual pilgrimage from Harrington, Maine to Arlington National Cemetery has become known as the world’s largest veteran’s parade, stopping at schools, monuments, veteran’s homes and communities all along the way to remind people how important it is to remember, honor and teach.

WAA is committed to teaching younger generations about the value of their freedoms, and the importance of honoring those who sacrificed so much to protect those freedoms. We offer learning tools, interactive media projects, and opportunities for youth groups to participate in our events.

We also work to create opportunities to connect “the Greatest Generation” with the “Generation of Hope”. The inspirational stories of our World War II Veterans must be passed on to the leaders of the future.

All Military Service Honor Guard salute for opening ceremonies.

Country and Western singer Lindsay Lawler, right, and guitarist Chris Roberts sing our National Anthem during the opening ceremony for the annual Wreaths Across America event at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va., Dec. 12, 2015. Thousands of volunteers helped place over 700,000 wreaths at the graves of fallen service members

Karen Worcester telling the volunteers that when they place their wreaths today, take your time, say the name of the fallen soldier, thank them for their sacriface for our freedoms.

A very special guest was with us this day, Trace Adkins.

Trace sang his tribute song to our fallen heroes "Arlington".

I'm proud to be on this peaceful piece of property
I'm on scared ground and in the best of company
I'm thankful for those thankful for the things I've done
I can rest in peace I'm one of the chosen ones, I made it to Arlington

We're thankful for those thankful for the things we've done
We can rest in peace, 'cause we were the chosen ones
We made it to Arlington, yea, dust to dust
Don't cry for us, we made it to Arlington

Some of our American Gold Star Mothers pose for a photograph with Trace Adkins

Many of the volunteers head for Section 60 where many of our Iraq, Afghanistan fallen rest

Cpl. Michael J. Crescenz is the Only Philadelphia native to be awarded the Medal of Honor during the Vietnam War. Senate bill ( S. 229 of the 113th Congress ) was enacted after being signed by the President on December 16, 2014.

A bill to designate the medical center of the Department of Veterans Affairs located at 3900 Woodland Avenue in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, as the "Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center".

Wreaths were also laid at the “In Memory” plaque which is near the statue of the Three Soldiers, the Vietnam Womens Monument (Nurses Status) and at 'The Wall'.

Today was also the day a Christmas tree was placed and decorated at the apex of 'The Wall'.

Xmas 2015
Dear Daddy,
Another Christmas without you but know you are in my every thought. I am so proud to be your daughter. You were brave enough to stand up for what you believed in. I couldn't ask for a better man to be my father. I hope you are proud of me and I carry your name with pride. I love you. Your daughter Krysteen.
Sgt. 1st Class Robert Hyatt Westcott Jr.
W26 L81