Wreaths Across America

Veterans across the country are remembered today, including those buried at the National Cemetery here in Chattanooga. Many who served in the armed forces and their families gathered as wreaths were placed on loved ones' graves.

Every branch of the military as well as prisoners of war were honored today. Wreaths were placed on graves at the National Cemetery. So that those soldiers would me remembered this holiday season.

Veterans and their families not only salute those who serve their country today... But mark the graves of those who are now gone.

Emily Crisp holds hands with one of those veterans... Wiping tears of remembrance for those soldiers who died after fighting for this country. She says it's all, "To honor these people that are serving our country that are away from their families, every night we pray for those people and we can't thank them enough."

A unity marked by wreaths, which marks the sacrifice soldiers make. Barry Melton is a Tennessee Wing Commander. He says the ceremony gives, "A sense of remembrance, a sense of thankfulness on our part a way that we can give back a little bit not only to the ones we're honoring here but to their families."

Mark Landrum is with the U.S. Civil Air Patrol. Landrum adds, "To be able to do this and to honor these members of the armed services is extremely important to us."

And just as important to families as well, like Christy McCain whose Merchant Marine husband placed a wreath here today. She says, "Especially during a time of war we just need to remember those men that have sacrificed, and our children noticed as we came out just seeing all the grave markers, it's a really visible representation of how many men are heroes and died for our country."

Heroes who are anything but forgotten here this Christmas...