On a crisp December day, thousands of volunteers gathered to honor our nation’s fallen veterans by placing a wreath at their headstones.
On December 13, 2014 tens of thousand of Wreaths Across America volunteers and 69 trucks worked together to lay the wreaths at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia.
Scott and Lisa Carlin, drivers with Riverside Transportation (RTI) in Kansas City, were in attendance and volunteered their truck and time to deliver and place the wreaths.
Scott served for 27 years in the Army, Army Reserve and the Army National Guard. He served two tours in Iraq. Scott retired from service on December 6, 2014. He said that participating in the event was unforgettable and “life-changing.”
“Service doesn’t end when you retire. We have a responsibility to veterans all around the country. Helping with Wreaths Across America is a small part of paying that back,” he said.
This was the Carlins first time participating in the event, but they say it won’t be the last. They said they hope to participate every year and said they plan to do a fundraiser throughout the year to raise funds so that no grave is forgotten. “Never leave anyone behind,” Scott said.
The Carlins chronicled their experience.