Each December, on “National Wreaths Across America Day”, over 100,000 wreaths are placed at the graves of our veterans in simultaneous ceremonies nationwide. Cypress Hills National Cemetery on Jamaica Avenue in Brooklyn dates back to the Civil War.

 

There is a brief ceremony (including presentation of the colors, the National Anthem and the placing of wreaths to represent each branch of the service). Volunteers then move quietly through the cemetery placing wreaths, paying special attention to unknown soldiers and medal of valor honorees.
 

Veteran cemeteries have a symmetry that is visually striking. Look in any direction and the white headstones are aligned as though soldiers in formation. There are usually a number of glistening eyes as the volunteers look out at the sea of white, green and red.