A Weekend in December

Wreaths Across America

 We received an email out of the blue that the DC chapter of the U of U alumni club was meeting to lay wreaths at Arlington Cemetery so we decided to join them.  As there were thousands of volunteers we were grateful for the U flag so the group was easy to find!

 There was a program to kick it off but the sound was horrid and we couldn't hear any of the speakers.  They just had us line up at any semi truck that was parked around the cemetery and gave each of us 2 wreaths to start.  They directed us to a section and were very specific about laying the wreath at a 45 degree angle, bow on top, and taking time to read the name on the headstone.

I watched as this group came in formation, layed their wreaths, stood in silence, then saluted and marched off.  There were other servicemen and women who were clearly laying their wreaths on fallen friends.  Very touching.  

 The "get er done" part of me couldn't figure out why they just didn't give us each an armload but I soon realized they wanted to make sure each volunteer had an opportunity to lay 2 wreaths and they wanted us to take the time to acknowledge the fallen soldiers.

 Ultimately we ended up with about 6 wreaths each to lay.  After we were finished we stopped at the Tomb of the Unknowns and watched a boy scout troop assist in the laying of a wreath there.

 The weather was pleasant enough and we had dressed in layers so we were in good shape.  We ran into our friend Jeff Smith as we were leaving (we had avoided the massive parking and Metro jams by parking on the base at Fort Myer) so we visited with him awhile before heading to Ikea to exchange an item them drove to Silver Spring to see 12 Years A Slave.  Very good, but VERY difficult to watch.

Downtown Silver Spring, MD

We were invited to a wonderful Christmas Music Celebration at Vienna Presbyterian Church Sunday afternoon.  As we were going in Santa came by in an old firetruck!  The musical program was gorgeous as they have an 80 voice choir, a strings and brass section, a youth choir and bell choir.  After the program we went with our friends the Fuhrmann's to their home where they had also invited neighbors to join us for yummy snacks and fascinating conversation.  It was a very full but great weekend.