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[Truck horn honks]
- In just over two decades,
it has become an established seasonal tradition--
trucks arriving at Arlington National Cemetery
bearing thousands of memorial wreaths
for an event of honor and remembrance.
[Truck horn honks]
- Section 25 is right at the corner.
- More than 20,000 volunteers
have come to lay memorial wreaths
across the entire expanse of the cemetery.
One group, the Maryland wing of the Civil Air Patrol,
sends an Honor Guard to the event each year.
- Place.
-Cadet Captain Michael DiMercurio
is leading the unit this year.
- When you're here honoring these veterans,
these soldiers who have died for the United States,
it's an incredible honor to be able to come here in uniform
and do them a service that they truly deserve.
- 2012 marks the 21st consecutive year of this event,
and in Arlington Section 60, a place where servicemen
from America's most recent conflicts are laid to rest,
a solemn ceremony unfolds.
The project's one millionth wreath
is laid by the current president
of the American Gold Star Mothers--Mary Byers.
- It's heartening to see the patriotism
that our country still has, and we don't see that every day.
- Some here will place wreaths alongside headstones
of veterans they may know little about.
Others come with a more personal connection.
Here Major General Charles Carr,
National Commander of the Civil Air Patrol,
honors the memory of his predecessor--
legendary Army and Air Force General Hap Arnold.
- And I certainly hope that we are living up to his dreams
in which he had high hopes for when we got started.
- These cadets would undoubtedly make him proud...
- No. We got two more after these.
- but they themselves were inspired
to see the civilian support at this event.
- And I love how many people besides Civil Air Patrol
come out to support this event to support our fallen troops.
- The ceremonies at Arlington were part of a larger effort
by the group Wreaths Across America.
20 years ago, that project began right here.
Today it has inspired similar ceremonies
in all 50 states and at hundreds of sites overseas.