There were groans and grumbles this morning as the boys and I got out of bed too early for a Saturday morning. I was right along with them, wishing I could stay in my bed and sleep till my eyes no longer wanted to stay closed. However, we committed to doing this service project for Ryan’s BETA group from the school and I had volunteered to chaperone and drive. Seth got caught in the undertow because Neal is out of town. 😉
With our cars full of middle school kids, myself, a few other parents, plus the BETA Director, headed to the Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery ‘Wreath’s Across America’ ceremony. Thousands of cars lined the streets and graced the cemetery’s parking lot hours before the ceremony was to begin. As we entered I mentioned that my friend’s son was buried here (he was killed 4 years ago protecting our country) and all of the kids knew who he was so we wanted to make sure we went and paid our respects. It was heartwarming to witness these kids gather around our fallen soldiers grave as we prayed for him and his family.
During the ceremony we were informed that this was only the 4th year of doing Wreath’s Across America in Houston. What got to me was when the Director introduced his 12 year old son and said that 4 years ago they were visiting Arlington Cemetery and he asked his dad, ‘Why don’t they do the wreaths on the graves in our Houston Veterans Cemetery?” His dad didn’t have an answer which led his son to say, “Well why can’t we do it?” And thus Wreath’s Across America was born. Today they had enough donations for 26,242 wreaths to be laid. Of course this does not cover the entire cemetery so they switch sections each year. Now Texas lays more wreaths than Arlington Memorial. What is sad to hear is that we have more active and fallen military in Texas than in the entire United States. 🙁
When we laid the wreaths we put them down, arranged them to look nice, said the soldier’s name out loud and a prayer. I was watching my youngest do this and he would step back and solute the grave. This experience was an unexpected blessing, I think for us all.
I’d love to show a picture but I’m not allowed as the kids are a part of the school program and I don’t have the permission to do so. I do believe everyone should do this ‘service’ at least once in their life. At least to pay homage for those who fought for our freedom.
December 11, 2010
Saturday of the
Second Week of Advent
Readings: Sir 48:1-4, 9-11; Mt 17:9a, 10-13
[Jesus] said in reply, “Elijah will indeed come and restore all
things; but I tell you that Elijah has already come, and they
did not recognize him but did to him whatever they pleased.
So also will the Son of Man suffer at their hands.”
Mt 17:11-12
The Son of God has already come to Bethlehem about
twenty centuries ago, he comes in each moment in
the soul and in the community disposed to receive him, he
will come again at the end of time “to judge the living and
the dead.”
Angelus
December 2, 2007
Blessings
Shannon