Wreaths Across America Aims To Honor Veterans During Holidays

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) - We tend to remember our veterans on Memorial Day and then again on their special day in November.

However, an effort called Wreaths Across America wants to make sure they aren't forgotten at the holidays.

There are more than 9,600 interments at the Cemetery of the Alleghenies. This weekend, wreaths were laid on more than 5,500 of them.

"It's probably one of our largest events here. We are probably going to have over 2,000 people here today that will take time out of their day to stop at the cemetery and to honor the veterans and their service," Cemetery Director Ronald Hestdalen said.

Many of the people participating are young people with an interest in the military. However, many families were also in attendance.

"It's my husband. He's a World War II veteran and he's been dead now for two years," Louise Hershberger said.

"To see her honor her husband, but to be able to see the four generations we have here to be able to pass it on to my children. They didn't, they vaguely remember my grandfather, but to see them, to spark conversation and to just have a nice memorial it's a nice thing to do," one man said.

While the wreaths were being laid here in western Pennsylvania, they were doing the same thing at other cemeteries across the country at the same time to make sure we never forget those who served.

"When they lay a wreath at the headstone today, they can stop and look at that headstone. They can read the name and they can see that every headstone has a story," Hestdalen said.

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