Wreaths Across America commemorates the fallen

Jim Klingler, a member of the Orange County chapters of Sons of the American Revolution, rolls up a 13-star Betsy Ross Flag at a ceremony to commemorate Wreaths Across America Day at Memory Garden Memorial Park in Brea on Dec. 15. With assistance from veterans, junior ROTC programs and wreath sponsors representing military eras spanning from the American Revolution to today, more than 3,500 wreaths were placed on markers in the cemetery, starting in the Veterans’ Field of Honor. Brea is one of nearly 1,000 locations where Wreaths Across America Day is commemorated.

Scout Micah Ku, 9, of Rowland Heights, places a wreath on a military marker to commemorate Wreaths Across America Day at Memory Garden Memorial Park in Brea on Dec. 15.

Brea Councilman Steven Vargas, a lieutenant with the Naval Construction Battalion, makes a commemorative speech in recognition of Wreaths Across America Day at Memory Garden Memorial Park in Brea.

A junior ROTC member holds a sword high as veterans and guests form a line to place a wreath on a grave marker to commemorate Wreaths Across America Day at Memory Garden Memorial Park in Brea.

Army veteran Jim Fry of La Habra places a wreath on the marker where his wife is buried to commemorate Wreaths Across America Day at Memory Garden Memorial Park in Brea. Fry and his late wife served together at a hospital in Germany.

The Sons of the American Revolution stand at attention at the beginning of a ceremony to commemorate Wreaths Across America Day at Memory Garden Memorial Park in Brea on Dec. 15.

Volunteers locate gravemarkers with a military designations to commemorate Wreaths Across America Day at Memory Garden Memorial Park in Brea on Dec. 15.

U.S. Navy veteran Jerry Kirby, who served on the USS Constellation, places a wreath on a marker at Memory Garden Memorial Park in Brea. The LaMirada resident was commemorating Wreaths Across America Day.

Civil Air Patrol member Paula Shope of Long Beach pulls wreaths out of one of dozens of boxes to distribute to volunteers to lay on military markers to commemorate Wreaths Across America Day in Brea.