Annual ‘Wreaths Across America' Journey Begins

The Wreaths Across America caravan has started its annual journey to Arlington National Cemetery. It will arrive there next Saturday, and volunteers will lay wreaths on every grave there. Even though this is Army veteran Candy Martin’s third time participating, she still feels a multitude of emotions. “One minute you’re crying, one minute you’re laughing because you run into old friends, acquaintances, some of the truckers, some of the drivers, some of the gold star family members, some of the blue star family members, some of the veterans that go with us on this trip,” Martin says. Martin is the grand marshal for the Wreaths Across America convoy to Arlington National Cemetery this year. She is also a gold star mother to Tom Martin who died in October 2007 while serving in Iraq. “Tom had an infectious smile. He could walk into a room and light up a room,” she says. “He had the leadership traits of just that were beyond approach. He was just so amazing and I’m proud to continue to remember him and all he stood for.”