Honoring our Heroes
Wreaths Across America and the California Cadet Corps
Story and photos by Elizabeth Phillips
California Military Department Public Affairs
Dec. 18, 2023
Sacramento, Calif. —In the heart of San Francisco, beneath the iconic skyline that kisses the sky, a solemn yet powerful ritual unfolded on a chilly December morning—the Wreaths Across America ceremony. Against the backdrop of the Golden Gate Bridge, a sea of volunteers, military members, and politicians gathered to honor the fallen, laying wreaths on the hallowed grounds of the San Francisco National Cemetery.
The Wreaths Across America event in San Francisco is a living testament to the enduring power of shared values and the recognition of the sacrifices that bind us all.
“My heartfelt hope for this event is to create a sense of unity that transcends the boundaries of the San Francisco community and extends throughout the entire Bay Area,” said California State Guard Spc. Prince Jordan, location coordinator for SF Wreaths Across America. “It is my aspiration that this event becomes a space where personal beliefs, opinions, and political differences are set aside, allowing us to come together in reflection, remembrance, and heartfelt gratitude for those who have selflessly served and made the ultimate sacrifice.”
“In a country that often feels divided, honoring our veterans has the remarkable power to bring us together. This act of honoring transcends political boundaries, reminding us of the values we hold in common and the importance of coming together as one nation to express our gratitude and support for those who have served for the holidays.”
Wreaths Across America, a nationwide initiative, found a profound resonance in San Francisco. The city, known for its cultural diversity and progressive spirit, embraced the opportunity to collectively remember and express gratitude to the men and women who served in the nation's Armed Forces.
The National non-profit, Wreaths Across America, chose the theme for 2023 as “serve and succeed.” Wreaths Across America is committed to supporting and bringing attention to the needs of our military community while also showcasing the continued contributions of those who serve and their intricate impact on and in the communities they serve.
In many American homes around the dinner table, there is an empty seat for one who is serving or one who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country and never came home. That is why the Wreaths Across America’s mission Remember, Honor, and Teach lasts all year long, far beyond the single day in December when wreaths are laid to honor the fallen.
This year’s ceremony in San Francisco was organized by Oakland Military Institute graduate, Jordan. A Navy veteran and now CSG volunteer, Jordan works at OMI to contribute to the inspirational program of serving California cadets, motivated by his desire to be a part of something greater than himself.
OMI is a tuition-free, public charter school, serving students in grades 6-12. Their mission is to prepare young men and women for admission to prestigious colleges and universities. OMI falls under the umbrella of Taskforce Torch which is the California Military Department’s program that establishes, facilitates and maintains meaningful transformation through partnerships based on trust, responsible citizenship, and purposeful involvement between CMD, local communities, and academia.
This is the sixth year that Taskforce Torch supported the ceremony. As a crucial part of their cadet experience, over 50 young men and women learned about the history and profound nature of the sacrifices servicemembers make.
“At Taskforce Torch we discussed ways to give back and provide rewarding opportunities to the students at OMI, showing them the importance of selfless service and the potential it holds for their future success,” said Jordan.
The ceremony unfolded with the precision that mirrored the military discipline it sought to honor. The haunting strains of "Taps" echoed through the air, a poignant reminder of the ultimate sacrifice made by so many. The laying of each wreath became a symbolic act of gratitude, an individual gesture blending seamlessly into a collective tapestry of respect.
“In a country that often feels divided, honoring our veterans has the remarkable power to bring us together,” said Jordan. “This act of honoring transcends political boundaries, reminding us of the values we hold in common and the importance of coming together as one nation to express our gratitude and support for those who have served for the holidays.”
Wreaths Across America is a call to action—a call to ensure that the memory of those who served lives on, not just in the marble markers of a cemetery but in the collective consciousness of a grateful nation.
As the last wreath found its place, the San Francisco National Cemetery transformed into a garden of remembrance, adorned with symbols of honor and gratitude. The echoes of the ceremony lingered in the air, a reminder that, in San Francisco, the spirit of Wreaths Across America is not just a fleeting annual event but a commitment to remember, honor, and teach—a commitment that reverberates throughout the city, ensuring that the sacrifices of the fallen will never be forgotten.
Wreaths lay on the graves of fallen soldiers at the San Francisco National Cemetery in San Francisco, California, on Dec. 16, 2023. Wreaths Across America is committed to supporting and bringing attention to the needs of the military community. (U.S. Army photo by Elizabeth Phillips)
Wreaths lay on the graves of fallen soldiers at the San Francisco National Cemetery in San Francisco, California, on Dec. 16, 2023. Wreaths Across America is committed to supporting and bringing attention to the needs of the military community. (U.S. Army photo by Elizabeth Phillips)
A Soldier holds a wreath during the Wreaths Across America ceremony at San Francisco National Cemetery in San Francisco, California, on Dec.16, 2023. Wreaths Across America is committed to supporting and bringing attention to the needs of the military community. (U.S. Army photo by Elizabeth Phillips)
A Soldier holds a wreath during the Wreaths Across America ceremony at San Francisco National Cemetery in San Francisco, California, on Dec.16, 2023. Wreaths Across America is committed to supporting and bringing attention to the needs of the military community. (U.S. Army photo by Elizabeth Phillips)
A wreath is laid on a Soldiers grave during the Wreaths Across America ceremony at San Francisco National Cemetery in San Francisco, California, on Dec. 16, 2023. Wreaths Across America is committed to supporting and bringing attention to the needs of the military community. (U.S. Army photo by Elizabeth Phillips)
A wreath is laid on a Soldiers grave during the Wreaths Across America ceremony at San Francisco National Cemetery in San Francisco, California, on Dec. 16, 2023. Wreaths Across America is committed to supporting and bringing attention to the needs of the military community. (U.S. Army photo by Elizabeth Phillips)
Built with Shorthand