Wreaths Across America Reach Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery

Bikers for Christ came. So did Coldwell Banker Associates. Patriot Guard Riders joined with Jersey Mike’s Subs. And The Elizabeth Hospice was present alongside staff of the Encinitas Vons.

With the slogan “Remember, Honor and Teach,” more than a thousand volunteers distributed 6,000 fresh wreaths Saturday as Wreaths Across America brought Christmas warmth to a chilly Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery.

Retired and active military joined Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts and business and nonprofit groups at the Point Loma ceremonies. More than a 100 groups took part.

Graves of MIAs and Medal of Honor winners were accorded special attention and assignments.

Participants were advised to respect graves of non-Christians and lay wreaths only at those marked with Christian crosses.

As it happens, only a fraction of the 110,000 graves were decorated Saturday morning — their share of the national allotment.

At Arlington National Cemetery, organizers said more than 44,000 people helped place about 245,000 wreaths.

Some 13,000 wreaths came to San Diego. Also taking part were Miramar National Cemetery and Greenwood Memorial Park.

“We have partnered with the United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration,” said the San Diego chapter of Wreaths Across America.

The 25-year-old event began with Morrill Worcester, owner of a wreath company in Harrington, Maine, who recalled a trip to Arlington when he was a 12-year-old paper boy for the Bangor Daily News.

“In 1992, Worcester Wreath found themselves with a surplus of wreaths nearing the end of the holiday season,” the site recalls. “Remembering his boyhood experience at Arlington, Worcester realized he had an opportunity to honor our country’s veterans. With the aid of Maine Sen. Olympia Snowe, arrangements were made for the wreaths to be placed at Arlington in one of the older sections of the cemetery that had been receiving fewer visitors with each passing year.

“The annual tribute went on quietly for several years until 2005, when a photo of the stones at Arlington, adorned with wreaths and covered in snow, circulated around the internet. Suddenly, the project received national attention. Thousands of requests poured in from all over the country from people wanting to help with Arlington.”

Now more than 1,000 sites nationwide get wreaths in mid-December.

A member of the JROTC from Westview High School readies a wreath for presentation. Photo by Chris Stone

Headstones at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery were decorated with wreaths as part of the Wreaths Across American tribute. Photo by Chris Stone

A small Christmas tree decoration was left at a gravestone at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery. Photo by Chris Stone

Sgt. William Hershey of the Marine Depot Band plays taps at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery. Photo by Chris Stone

Scouts listen to talks and prayers at the wreath laying ceremony at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery. Photo by Chris Stone

Members of the Fr. J.T. O’Callahan Assembly #2652 of the Knights of Columbus Color Guard stand at attention at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery. Photo by Chris Stone

Members of the Fr. J.T. O’Callahan Assembly #2652 of the Knights of Columbus Color Guard stand at attention at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery. Photo by Chris Stone

A JROTC member walks forward to place a wreath at a ceremony at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery. Photo by Chris Stone

Hundreds of military families, representatives, scouts and the public laid wreaths at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery. Photo by Chris Stone

Capt. Jessica Teixeira and a sergeant salute at a wreath laying ceremony at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery. Photo by Chris Stone

Wreaths were placed at the graves of 6,000 military members that are buried at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery. Photo by Chris Stone

With the city of San Diego in the background, participants help to lay wreaths at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery. Photo by Chris Stone

Military families and scouting troops helped to place wreaths at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery. Photo by Chris Stone

A JROTC cadet from Westview High School presents a wreath to Col. Dennis Tucker, Jr. and George Krill of the Air Force. Photo by Chris Stone

A Marine sergeant places a wreath during the Wreaths Across America ceremony. Photo by Chris Stone

A cub scout with a wreath pauses to read the names of military members buried at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery. Photo by Chris Stone

Army First Lt. Sean Perez places a wreath at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery. Photo by Chris Stone

Melanie Rossi places a wreath at her grandfather’s grave at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery. Photo by Chris Stone

Members of the San Diego chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution Color Guard presented the colors. Photo by Chris Stone

A sailor looks for a gravestone that he was requested to place a wreath at. Photo by Chris Stone

A member of the Navy JROTC cadets from Westview High School present swreaths for each branch of the military. Photo by Chris Stone

Participants place wreaths on headstones at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery as part of Wreaths Across America. Photo by Chris Stone

A young boy places a wreath at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery. Photo by Chris Stone

A young boy looks at names as he takes part in Wreaths Across America at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery. Photo by Chris Stone

Headstones at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery were decorated with wreaths as part of the Wreaths Across American tribute. Photo by Chris Stone

Poinsettias and wreaths decorated graves at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery. Photo by Chris Stone

As part of the national Wreaths Across America, wreaths were placed on graves at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery. Photo by Chris Stone