Heartwarming: Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas participates in wreath laying at Arlington National Cemetery



Journalist Emily Miller posted a photo of herself with Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas at Arlington National Cemetery, noting that Thomas was there to lay wreaths.

"Love how Justice Clarence Thomas quietly lays wreaths with all the other volunteers every year at Arlington National Cemetery for #wreathsacrossamerica to honor those who have the ultimate sacrifice," Miller tweeted, adding in another tweet that Thomas takes part to "honor the fallen and spend time supporting Gold Star families at Arlington."

\u201cLove how Justice Clarence Thomas quietly lays wreaths with all the other volunteers every year at Arlington National Cemetery for #wreathsacrossamerica to honor those who have the ultimate sacrifice.\u201d
— Emily Miller (@Emily Miller) 1671291921

Miller noted that Thomas was not aware that she had posted the photo of him online. "He has no idea I posted this. I've been doing this with him for years," she tweeted.

"We were in the same group that is organized every year by a veteran named Frank," Miller wrote in a piece about the photo and Thomas's participation in the annual event. "The only people I’ve seen figure out who Justice Thomas really is during these events are the Gold Star family members he talks to honor and support them privately," she wrote. "Know that his top-notch security detail was there and blended in well with the crowds."

Miller highlighted a photo that she had posted in 2016 that also showed Thomas at the wreath laying, though in that tweet, she had not drawn attention to the fact that Thomas appeared in the photo.

\u201cOur group after laying wreaths, meeting amazing Gold Star Families and sharing hand warmers. #wreathsacrossAmerica\u201d
— Emily Miller (@Emily Miller) 1482004256

Thomas, 74, is currently the longest-serving and oldest justice sitting on the nine-member high court — he was nominated by Republican President George H.W. Bush and has served since 1991.

The wreathsacrossamerica.org website notes that, "Each December on National Wreaths Across America Day, our mission to Remember, Honor and Teach is carried out by coordinating wreath-laying ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery, as well as at more than 3,400 additional locations in all 50 U.S. states, at sea and abroad."

Wreaths Across America | Section 60 Arlington National Cemetery | Justice Clarence Thomas | Kabul 13 www.youtube.com

Wreaths Across America back on at Arlington National Cemetery following backlash over cancellation



The secretary of the Army and President Donald Trump declared Tuesday that the annual Wreaths Across America event at Arlington National Cemetery will go on as scheduled next month, following backlash after the cemetery's leadership cancelled the 2020 ceremony over COVID-19 concerns.

What are the details?

On Monday, Arlington National Cemetery announced that resting place for many of America's honored fallen would not participate in the nationwide Wreaths Across America event slated on Dec. 19, voicing concerns over the coronavirus pandemic while citing the high volume of volunteers and visitors that descend upon the grounds.

The notice was met overwhelmingly with disappointment and anger on social media, and several GOP lawmakers called for the decision to be reversed.

Former Navy SEAL officer Rep. Dan Crenshaw (R-Texas) tweeted, "This decision to cancel #wreathsacrossamerica must be reversed immediately. Critical thinking must win out over emotion. Large areas, outside and well spaced, with masks on, is perfectly safe. Our fallen deserve to be remembered."

This decision to cancel #wreathsacrossamerica must be reversed immediately. Critical thinking must win out over emo… https://t.co/9bQ2NBO6BC
— Dan Crenshaw (@Dan Crenshaw)1605577169.0

Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), a former Army officer, wrote, "I encourage Army leaders to reconsider this decision. 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."

I encourage Army leaders to reconsider this decision. Thousands of people have marched in DC streets the past coupl… https://t.co/m2JkaCR61C
— Tom Cotton (@Tom Cotton)1605612203.0

On Tuesday afternoon, Secretary of the Army Ryan McCarthy announced, "I have 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."

I have directed Arlington National Cemetery to safely host Wreaths Across America. We appreciate the families and v… https://t.co/QDnAg1eXHm
— SecArmy (@SecArmy)1605640403.0

President Trump said the order came directly from him, declaring on Twitter, "I have reversed the ridiculous decision to cancel Wreaths Across America at Arlington National Cemetery. It will now go on!"

What is Wreaths Across America?

As TheBlaze previously reported:

Wreaths Across America is a nationwide event held at cemeteries across the country, involving the laying of wreaths at the graves of America's fallen heroes each December. Its stated mission is to "remember our fallen U.S. veterans, honor those who serve," and "teach your children the value of freedom."

The Wreaths Across America organization expressed its disappointment in Arlington's decision, issuing a statement saying, "As an organization, we are shocked by this unexpected turn of events. To say we are devastated, would be an understatement." The group noted that the event will still move forward at more than 2,400 other participating cemeteries across the U.S.

Arlington National Cemetery cancels 'Wreaths Across America' event due to COVID-19



Arlington National Cemetery has canceled its annual "Wreaths Across America" event for 2020, citing concerns over crowd size in the midst of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

What are the details?

"Wreaths Across America" is a nationwide event held at cemeteries across the country, involving the laying of wreaths at the graves of America's fallen heroes each December. Its stated mission is to "remember our fallen U.S. veterans, honor those who serve," and "teach your children the value of freedom."

This year's event is slated for Dec. 19, but America's most coveted veterans' cemetery will not be participating.

"Due to the current COVID-19 situation across the nation and within the National Capital Region, it is with great regret that Arlington National Cemetery is canceling Wreaths Across America at Arlington National Cemetery and the Soldiers' and Airmen's Home Cemetery," according to a news release from Arlington National Cemetery on Monday.

Karen Durharn-Aguilera, executive director of the Office of Army National Cemeteries and Arlington National Cemetery, said in a statement:

"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. 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."

Arlington National Cemetery Superintendent Charles "Ray" Alexander said that organizers' "strong hope" is that the event can be held at ANC next year.

"While many of our families and visitors associate the wreath event with the holiday season, we thank all the thousands of volunteers who had planned to take this time to Honor, Remember, and Explore those who are laid to rest at our nation's most hallowed ground," Alexander said. "We invite everyone to virtually visit the cemetery through our multimedia platforms @ArlingtonNatl."

WRC-TV reported that "coronavirus cases and deaths are climbing in D.C., Maryland and Virginia — with big jumps in cases in Virginia and Maryland.

Anything else?

The news of Arlington's decision was met overwhelmingly with disappointment and some frustration from followers on its Twitter feed. Several respondents argued that with voting in person and protests being allowed to continue, the cemetery might reconsider.

Conservative radio host Dana Loesch wrote, "Really sorry to read this. My family looks forward to kicking off Christmas by honoring those who served and learning about their service while laying wreaths. (Usually it's cold and we're all covered up, including faces.)"

Really sorry to read this. My family looks forward to kicking off Christmas by honoring those who served and learni… https://t.co/akeOkYxiTz
— Dana Loesch (@Dana Loesch)1605572185.0