JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Thousands of people honored veterans who are laid to rest at the Jacksonville National Cemetery on Saturday morning at the Wreaths Across America event.
Don Spann, a US Navy veteran attended the event to honor the wife of a dear friend and her son, who is laid to rest next to her. Spann said that it meant a lot to him to honor his friend.
“I know one day, I’ll be up here and wife will. I’ve been married 45 years now and we’ve made our arrangements to come here. Just to participate in this today, it means a lot,” Spann said.
It was a moving experience for all, including Vietnam War Veteran John Blackmore, who moved to Jacksonville in 2022.
“It’s a sense of peace to me because I was lucky enough to come back alive. We have to still think about the ones that gave the full measure. Sometimes you have the survivor’s guilt,” Blackmore said.
Many rows of wreaths were left at the graves. People said this was personal for them, including News4JAX photojournalist, Mark Clanton, who laid a wreath down for his father, James Clanton.
His stepfather is laid to rest not far away from James.
Spann said seeing the many families and children sends a comforting message.
“It means our service is not forgotten. I retired in 1999 from the Navy and my friend retired as well. It lets us know the service that we gave is not forgotten,” Clanton said.
A beautiful wreath to mark the holiday season — in honor of those who gave so much for us.