HOUSTON — On Saturday, thousands of Houstonians honored the men and women who gave their lives defending our freedom.
National Wreaths Across America Day became a tradition 16 years ago at Houston National Cemetery. For different reasons, two families experienced the emotional day for the first time.
Tracy Hooper came to the cemetery to see her husband U.S. Army SSG James Hooper, who died in January.
“He just loved to serve. Even after he got out of the Army he became a firefighter and continued to serve. He was in the Army reserves after he retired," Tracy said. “This is our first Christmas without him, and you know it’s really a sad time for us, but we’re glad to be out here to celebrate him in this way.”
Tracy said her husband was also part of Masonic lodges throughout Texas. Doric Shrine Temple #76 laid the wreath on his grave during Saturday's ceremony.
Ben Harris, a U.S. Marine veteran who served in Vietnam, volunteered at the event. Ben and his wife Wendy said it was their first time taking part in Wreaths Across America.
“It’s really amazing," Ben said. "It took me 25 years before I started talking about Vietnam because I went through a lot of bad times. My best buddy was killed, so it was tough times."
Wreaths Across America is an event the Houston National Cemetery prepares for all year. Kathy Torres, a board member and treasurer for Wreaths Across America Houston says between 15,000 to 17,000 volunteers participate, laying more than 47,000 wreaths across the cemetery. She said it's important to do one thing.
“We ask everyone that lays a wreath for us to say that person’s name out loud. Because there’s a lot of graves out here that nobody comes and visits anymore. So this might be the only time in thirty or forty years that their name has been said aloud,” Torres said.
Torres would love to have the entire cemetery covered one year -- the more than 100,000 graves.
Hooper encourages others to take the time to honor the men and women who served their country.
“Let the world know that you love and respect our veterans and you support them, its just a nice time out here to meet the people that you don’t know, but you have so much in common with them,” Tracy said.
To learn more about Wreaths Across America, you can visit their website.