It was a bit of a long, cold walk, but one Christopher and Leeann DeFusco were glad to take.
The Chester County couple followed a paved path up a hill at Gethsemane Cemetery in Muhlenberg Township Saturday afternoon, turning at the top and cutting through the grass.
They slowed as they reached their destination, a large, grey headstone etched with the names of Leeann’s parents: Joseph and Marie Geigus.
Leeann knelt down, placing a green pine wreath with a red bow on the ground, leaning it up against the stone just below her father’s name. It was a simple moment, but one that meant the world to her.
Both of Leeann’s parents passed away almost exactly a year ago, and visiting their final resting place Saturday felt like a perfect way to mark the anniversary, she said. And the hour-long trip she and her husband made from East Nantmeal Township was made even more poignant by what was happening at the cemetery.
Gethsemane took part in National Wreaths Across America Day, an event where wreaths — like the one Leeann laid at her father’s tombstone — are placed at the burial sites of veterans to honor their service and remember their lives.
Created in 1992 by Morrill Worcester, owner of Worcester Wreath Company in Harrington, Maine, Wreaths Across America this year saw more than 2 million volunteers and supporters take part in ceremonies and lay more than 3 million handmade, balsam fir wreaths at more than 5,200 locations in all 50 states, at sea and abroad.
The event’s stated goal is to celebrate veterans who have passed away by remembering, honoring and teaching.
With her father having served in the Air Force — and her World War I Army veteran grandfather, John Matthews, also buried at Gethsemane — it was only fitting for Leeann and her husband to take part in the event.
“It’s to honor their memory,” Christopher said of his wife father and grandfather. “And the respect that goes along with that.”
That honor and respect went beyond just their family members, as the DeFuscos donated money to help cover the costs or wreaths for other veterans, as well. It was something they felt compelled by gratitude to do, they said.
And standing in the cemetery Saturday, waiting for a brief ceremony to begin, they looked with amazement over a gathered crowd that easily topped 100 people.
“It makes me feel good that our veterans are being remembered,” Leeann said.
Christopher added that he was impressed that so many people put their hectic holiday schedules on pause to take part.
“People are taking the time to do this at a busy time,” he said. “I think the fact that they’re taking this time out show their appreciation for our veterans.”
Showing that appreciation is exactly why Gethsemane has gotten involved with Wreath Across America.
Jackie Grauert, assistant director of the cemetery, said this is the second year Gethsemane has taken part.
“We just want to give back to our veterans; they have done so much for us,” she said. “We just wanted to do something special for them.”
In total, wreaths were laid Saturday on about 1,300 of the nearly 5,000 veteran graves at Gethsemane, Grauert said. They were placed by an army of volunteers who showed up to help.
“It definitely warms all of our hearts,” she said of the expansive crowd at the event. “It’s a beautiful thing.”
