GOP Lawmakers Blast Arlington National Cemetery For Canceling Wreaths Across America Due to COVID

Brittany M. Hughes | November 17, 2020
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Update: Following criticism, the Secretary of the Army has ordered Arlington National Cemetery to reverse its earlier decision, saying the veterans cemetery will once again hold its annual Wreaths Across America event. According to a statement: "The Secretary of the Army has directed Arlington National Cemetery to safely host Wreaths Across America. We appreciate the families and visitors who take time to honor and remember those who are laid to rest at our nation’s most hallowed ground. Arlington National Cemetery will provide an update on the final schedule soon."

 

Original story: Arlington National Cemetery has canceled its iconic Wreaths Across America Christmas event this year, citing COVID concerns and saying they “could not implement sufficient controls to mitigate the risks associated with hosting an event of this size under current and forecasted infection and transmission rates, while still conducting a respectful and honorable public event.”

Wreaths Across America, an annual tradition that draws thousands of volunteers to veterans cemeteries across the country, typically includes an hour-long ceremony commemorating the sacrifices of the U.S. armed forces before delaying volunteers to lay wreaths at the feet of veterans' gravestones.

“We did not make this decision lightly. Despite the controls developed to disperse potential crowds in time and space, and required personal safety protocols, we determined that hosting any event of this scale risked compromising our ability to accomplish our core mission of laying veterans and their eligible family members to rest,” Karen Durham-Aguilera, executive director of the Office of Army National Cemeteries and Arlington National Cemetery, said in a statement released by the organization. “We reviewed various options to safely execute this long standing event and held numerous consultations with WAA leadership and local government and public health officials. We understand that although this is disappointing for so many, we could no longer envision a way to safely accommodate the large number of visitors we typically host during this event.”

Some Republican lawmakers responded to the announcement by demanding the decision be reversed, noting that thousands were permitted to gather unimpeded in the streets of major cities to celebrate Joe Biden’s presumptive win over President Donald Trump. Some also noted that a large gathering of people could be avoided while still allowing a specified number of volunteers to place the wreaths while appropriately distancing, given that the event is outdoors.

"I encourage Army leaders to reconsider this decision," Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., tweeted. "Thousands of people have marched in DC streets the past couple weekends for Joe Biden and Donald Trump. Surely volunteers can responsibly place wreaths on the graves of our fallen heroes at Arlington."
 


"This decision to cancel #wreathsacrossamerica must be reversed immediately. Critical thinking must win out over emotion," Texas Rep. Dan Crenshaw, a former Navy Seal, said on Twitter. "Large areas, outside and well spaced, with masks on, is perfectly safe. Our fallen deserve to be remembered."
 


The cemetery said it hopes to resume the Christmas event next year.

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