ROCK ISLAND, Ill. – (Dec. 18, 2021) The National Cemetery Administration’s Rock Island National Cemetery hosted the annual Wreaths Across America program at the Cemetery's main flagpole the morning of Dec. 18. The event received a huge turnout from the greater Quad Cities community which was easily the largest ever for the event made up of hundreds of people, some who participated in the ceremony, some who placed wreaths on graves, and some who’s attendance actively showed their support from the event.
Lt. Gen. Antonio A. Aguto Jr., commanding general, First Army, was the keynote speaker at the event.
"This holiday season, I'm reminded of an old saying that I would like to share with you,” said Aguto. “We make a living by what we receive or what we get, but we make a life worth living by what we give the patriots who are here today who made the sacrifice by giving all they have and in some cases it was the ultimate price, leaving behind families, hopes and dreams, so all of us here can live our hopes and dreams with our family.
"Today we walk around this beautiful cemetery and see the names of all our heroes, the dates that they were born, where they're from, and the dates of their passing. Let's think about what they've given to all of us, the gifts of our lives, so that we can live. Let's lay a wreath to honor their sacrifice."
The Wreaths Across America program ensured that day that more than 1,600 individuals buried at Rock Island National Cemetery received a wreath on their grave.
The cemetery's remembrance ceremony included the laying of ceremonial wreaths to honor each of the military services, POWs, and all veterans, past and present. The Department of Veteran Affairs works hand-in-hand with the national nonprofit Wreaths Across America organization across the country to assist in the remembrance and recognition of our veteran population during the holiday season.
Each year the Wreaths Across America program ensures that remembrance wreaths will be placed at the headstones of fallen veterans at nearly 1,000 locations across the country and overseas.
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