Benny Johnson Reporter At Large
Thousands of people lined up at the gates of Arlington Cemetery before dawn Saturday morning. It was a bitterly cold. The temperature was far below freezing. There was snow on the ground. None of it dampened the spirits of those who looked forward to laying a wreath on a gleaming white headstone of an American hero.
Wreaths Across America has been going on for 26 years. The tradition seeks to place a fresh pine wreath on the headstone of every fallen soldier in a national cemetery. Around 1,000 locations in 50 states participate. The effort is massive and the payoff is spectacular.
The process is very simple:
Family members, spouses and volunteers line up, often times before dawn.
Upon entering, the family members line up behind a semi trucks full of wreaths.
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In the case of Arlington, tens of thousands of wreaths are brought in and distributed.
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Wreaths in hand, people spread out through the cemetery.
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If they have loved ones, they will go to them.
Image: Benny Johnson
On the North River 