SAN ANTONIO — “Just remember to say a few words before you lay it down,” one volunteer told another Saturday morning at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery.
"Jesus L Alvarado," said the other, reading off the World War Two Private’s small grave marker.
"Thank you for your service," she said, after setting down a wreath.
They joined thousands of other volunteers Saturday honoring fallen veterans by speaking their names and keeping their memory.
The mission of Wreaths Across America is “Remember, Honor, Teach. and Saturday thousands of volunteers came to Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery to participate in that mission by paying tribute to the people buried there one-at-a-time.
“Everybody dies twice, once when the physical body dies, and second, when people stop saying your name. said Matthew Kostak, Fort Sam Houston Fundraising Coordinator for Wreaths across America.
So we do this every year to make sure that their memory lives on,” Kostak said.
More than 5,000 volunteers came to Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery Saturday morning to devote their time to the cause. Kostak said many of them would be there the whole day.
“The sun will be gone by the time we're done today,” Kostak said.
Members of Alpha Alpha PSI Omega, a local chapter of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, were among the groups that volunteered Saturday.
“This was our second year doing it, and it's a labor of love.” said Chapter President SaWanna Ballou.
The Chapter’s Vice President, Natania Mathis, said her work as a social worker motivated her to participate.
“It was important for my chapter to be involved because this is a part of our community,” Mathis said.
Wreaths Across America considers the tradition of laying wreaths on headstones a living memorial to the people who have served this country.
“It is so much more than just the placement of a wreath. The wreath is the catalyst, it brings together communities - families and strangers -- to learn about those who have served and sacrificed,” said Karen Worcester, Executive Director of Wreaths Across America.
Many of the volunteers came to lay a wreath on the grave of a relative or loved one buried at Fort Sam, but Kostak said he likes to focus his attention on the older graves toward the front of the cemetery.
“We actually have goals that some of our fundraising groups fundraise specifically for these older sections where we may not have family members left,” he said.
Kostak said despite the thousands of people who attended and all the money that has been raised, they are a long way from covering the 167,000 gravestones at the cemetery. But he remains confident it can be done.
Anyone interested in learning more about Wreath's Across America or how to sponsor a wreath can visit wreathsacrossamerica.org.