By YM/Sgt Kyle Spivey, Rutherford County (TN) On December 17th our Young Marines Rutherford County Unit had the opportunity to honor our fallen veterans, and participate in the Wreaths Across America event at Middle Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery. After the initial opening ceremony , we made our way to a different area of the cemetery. Each set of volunteers was assigned to a different section of the cemetery. My first wreath was placed on the headstone of PVT John Herman Hider, U.S Army, a veteran of the Vietnam War. We laid the wreaths at a 45 degree angle against the headstone then very respectfully stepped back and said a prayer and slowly left the grave to retrieve another wreath for another fallen veteran. We were allowed one wreath at a time to be placed on all the headstones for all the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. I have personally participated in this program since becoming a Young Marine. It’s another way to give back to our veterans. Approximately 2,268 wreaths were placed on all graves. Volunteers from the community also partici- pated in the program. It was a sobering experience as it is every year, to think about all the veterans whose sacrifices enable us to stay safe with our families. As we walk through all the graves and read the headstones of each veteran, I wonder what family they left be- hind, or if anyone is left to visit their grave. They are not forgotten, some so very young and some that finished out their life after their call of duty was over. Nevertheless, their service does not go unnoticed. We are one unit that participates every year, spending a small amount of time for all of those who served. We look forward to visiting again on Veterans Day and Memorial Day in order to pay our respects to the fallen heroes. “It’s another way to give back to our veterans” Wreaths Across 16 YOUNG MARINES ESPRIT ONLINE AMERICA AMERICA