On Saturday, December 17, the JHS senior class participated in Wreaths Across America at Arlington National Cemetery. Every December individuals and companies from all over the nation donate remembrance wreaths to the cemetery in order for every grave (except those marked with the Star of David) to have one placed on it. This year, over 44,000 people attended the event despite the cold, rain, and ice. 

The seniors, after passing through security, ventured into the cemetery and, alongside strangers, helped to place the more than 245,000 wreaths laid down that day. In addition to Arlington, about 1,100 other locations place wreaths on military tombstones. The theme of the 2016 event, while always to honor those who fought for our country, was more specifically to speak the person’s name out loud as you placed his or her wreath. The goal was for those servicemen and women to never be forgotten but instead remembered. The emotions felt when placing a wreath and pondering who that person was and what he or she did affected each student uniquely.  The seniors shall never forget the experiences they had at Arlington National Cemetery.