“I found one of my brothers”
In a heartfelt tribute at the Middle Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery in Nashville, Tennessee, members from VA Tennessee Valley Healthcare System participated in the Wreaths Across America event on Saturday, Dec. 16.
On a chilly and overcast morning, a diverse gathering of men, women, children, service members, and Veterans gathered to pay their respects to America’s fallen heroes. Against the backdrop of gray clouds and cold winds, the melodies of bagpipes resonated throughout the rolling hills, setting a patriotic tone as participants and volunteers embarked on their sincere missions – adorning headstones with holiday wreaths.
One particularly poignant story emerged during the event, involving Vietnam Veteran Miles Matthew.
Matthew, who served as an infantryman in the U.S. Army, moved diligently among the rows of white headstones with a wreath in hand. Reading each name out loud and paying particular attention to birth and death dates, Matthew's emotional connection deepened as he discovered a shared history.
"I read on one of the headstones that the Veteran died in 1971. I was in Vietnam that year,” Matthew said. “This Veteran died while I was over there fighting."
Despite facing challenges in attending such events previously, Matthew, a patient at Nashville VA Medical Center, found solace and connection in participating in Wreaths Across America this year.
As he looked across the hills and valleys, adorned with thousands of strangers placing wreaths and uttering each name, the experience proved deeply emotional. However, its significance and importance was aptly summed up by Matthew's words, "I found one of my brothers."
This annual tradition, rooted in the Worcester Wreath Company's initiative in 1992, honors Veterans by adorning their headstones with remembrance wreaths during the holiday season.
The ceremony, synchronized with Arlington National Cemetery on the same day and time, saw over 13,400 wreaths thoughtfully placed at the base of white, marble headstones by more than 1,600 volunteers, including ROTC members, service members, and Veterans. Beyond the simple act of placing wreaths, attendees were encouraged to speak the names on the tombstones out loud, ensuring each Veteran's sacrifice will never be forgotten.
Matthew’s profound respect for his fellow Veterans was evident in his solemn salutes rendered at each head headstone, underscoring the deep sense of honor and connection that permeates events like Wreaths Across America. This event serves as a powerful reminder that the bonds forged in service extend beyond time and place, creating a lasting connection that transcends generations.