December 15th was the day of the annual holiday wreath laying at Arlington National Cemetery. Wreaths Across America, a non-profit organization, gathers volunteers every year to lay wreaths on the graves at Arlington in honor of the holiday season and America's lost heroes. The goal of Wreaths Across America is to remember, honor, and teach, and to make sure that those who have been lost are not forgotten.

Operating on a mainly volunteer basis, in previous years, Wreaths Across America has achieved their goal of placing a holiday wreath on every gravestone in Arlington National Cemetery. This year, they received thousands of volunteers who either helped them by sponsoring a wreath or by showing up in Arlington to help place the wreaths throughout the cemetery.

As someone who has laid wreaths for years, and who participated again this year, I can say that this experience is truly eye opening and exactly what the holiday season is all about. In the midst of the commotion of shopping, decorating, and organizing visits with family, the holidays can occasionally seem like a time of stress instead of a time of recognition. Those who have fought for our country deserve the utmost of recognition during the holidays. Afterall, if the holidays are about being thankful, who better to thank than a veteran.

This is why December 15th was such an important day in the D.C. Metropolitan Area, as it was truly a day of remembrance and gratitude. In honor of the holiday season, and in honor of those who have served or are currently serving in the military, everyone in the D.C. area should think about visiting Arlington during the remaining season, to see the wreaths and to remember those who have protected our country, and to prove that veterans' acts of heroism have not and will not go unnoticed.