Wreaths Across America

A crowd came to the Washington State Veterans Cemetery in Medical Lake to lay evergreen wreaths on the graves of veterans, part of the Wreaths Across American project. Individual organizations, like the Ladies and Gentlemen of the Washington State Veterans Cemetery, raise money to place the wreaths every years at local cemeteries.

Section:Gallery

Mon., Dec. 19, 2016

Dawn Biehl hangs a wreath on a stand at the commitment shelter during a ceremony at The Washington State Veterans Cemetery in Medical Lake, Monday, Dec. 19, 2016. Biehl lost her son, Staff. Sgt. David Biehl, to suicide after serving two tours in Iraq with the U.S. Army. A crowd came to the cemetery to lay evergreen wreaths on the graves of veterans, part of the Wreaths Across American project. Individual organizations, like the Ladies and Gentlemen of the Washington State Veterans Cemetery, raise money to place the wreaths every years at local cemeteries.

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Members of the Patriot Guard carry flags after a short ceremony before wreaths were laid on graves, Monday, Dec. 19, 2016, at the Washington State Veterans Cemetery as part of the Wreaths Across America project. The nationwide movement allows veterans groups to raise money and get enough wreaths for their local cemeteries.

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A rifle team fires a 21-gun salute outside the commitment shelter at the Washington State Veterans Cemetery, Monday, Dec. 19, 2016. The salute was part of a short ceremony before the placing of wreaths on veterans' graves, part of the Wreaths Across America Project. The Ladies and Gentlemen of the Washington State Veterans Cemetery, a volunteer group, helped raise the money for the wreaths.

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Don Blanchard kneels by the grave of his son, U.S. Marine Capt. Aaron R. Blanchard, after laying an evergreen wreath by the headstone, Monday, Dec. 19, 2016, at the Washington State Veterans Cemetery in Medical Lake. Capt. Blanchard was killed in Afghanistan in 2013. Dozens came to the cemetery to lay wreaths on the graves of their loved ones as well as those of strangers. The Wreaths Across America coordinates the program where local groups, like the Ladies and Gentlemen of the Washington State Veterans Cemetery, can raise money and sponsor wreaths for their local cemeteries.

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Mike Payson, a Vietnam veteran who served in the Army, lays wreaths on graves, Monday, Dec. 19, 2016, at the Washington State Veterans Cemetery as part of the Wreaths Across America project. The nationwide movement allows veterans groups to raise money and get enough wreaths for their local cemeteries.

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Courtney Weber, 6, carries a wreather to her grandmother Susan Weber, not shown, helps decorate graves, Monday, Dec. 19, 2016, at the Washington State Veterans Cemetery as part of the Wreaths Across America project. The nationwide movement allows veterans groups to raise money and get enough wreaths for their local cemetery.

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Retired Lt. Col. Phil Kowzan plays "Taps" at the end of a short ceremony, Monday, Dec. 19, 2016, at the Washington State Veterans Cemetery, before others lay wreaths as part of the Wreaths Across America project. The nationwide movement allows veterans groups to raise money and get enough wreaths for their local cemeteries.

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People with loved ones buried there but others who just want to help walks to the plots before they lay wreaths on graves, Monday, Dec. 19, 2016, at the Washington State Veterans Cemetery as part of the Wreaths Across America project. The nationwide movement allows veterans groups to raise money and get enough wreaths for their local cemeteries.

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Volunteers, both bereaved family members of veterans and others who just want to help, lay wreaths on graves, Monday, Dec. 19, 2016, at the Washington State Veterans Cemetery as part of the Wreaths Across America project. The nationwide movement allows veterans groups to raise money and get enough wreaths for their local cemeteries.

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A veteran walks among the headstones decorated with wreaths at the Washington State Veterans Cemetery, Dec. 19, 2016. Volunteers raised money for the wreaths to decorate the cemetery, part of the Wreaths Across America project.

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Dolores Smith, left, Lori Wilson and Teresa Wilson, right, place a wreath on the grave of Frank Smith, a veteran who served in the Army in World War II, Monday, Dec. 19, 2016, at the Washington State Veterans Cemetery as part of the Wreaths Across America project. They are, from left, the widow, daughter and granddaughter of Smith and came to the cemetery Monday, enduring bone-chilling cold, to take part in the wreath project. The nationwide movement allows veterans groups to raise money and get enough wreaths for their local cemeteries.

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Dolores Smith, left, Lori Wilson and Teresa Wilson, right, look at a wreath they have placed on the grave of Frank Smith, a veteran who served in the Army in World War II, Monday, Dec. 19, 2016, at the Washington State Veterans Cemetery as part of the Wreaths Across America project. They are, from left, the widow, daughter and granddaughter of Smith and came to the cemetery Monday, enduring bone-chilling cold, to take part in the wreath project. The nationwide movement allows veterans groups to raise money and get enough wreaths for their local cemeteries.

Jesse Tinsley The Spokesman-Review Buy this photo