Arlington National Cemetery will hold its annual Wreaths Across America program after the event was initially canceled over coronavirus concerns.
Ryan McCarthy, secretary of the Army, announced the reversal of the cancellation on Tuesday in a tweet. The event honors fallen soldiers by laying wreaths across the country and abroad.
“I have directed Arlington National Cemetery to safely host Wreaths Across America,” McCarthy said. “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 visitors who take time to honor and remember those who are laid to rest at our nation’s most hallowed ground.
— SecArmy (@SecArmy) November 17, 2020
President Trump tweeted later on Tuesday that he made the call on the reversal.
“I have reversed the ridiculous decision to cancel Wreaths Across America at Arlington National Cemetery. It will now go on!” Trump said.
I have reversed the ridiculous decision to cancel Wreaths Across America at Arlington National Cemetery. It will now go on!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 17, 2020
The cemetery said it made the decision to cancel the event after a “thorough analysis” of how to safely conduct the event, adding that it was not a decision made lightly.
The Wreaths Across America organization expressed disappointment in the decision and said they have been working with local, state, and federal officials to make sure the outdoor events could be carried out safely.
A number of lawmakers, including Arkansas Sen. Tom Cotton and Texas Rep. Dan Crenshaw, a Navy veteran himself, criticized the move to cancel the event.
“I encourage Army leaders to reconsider this decision,” Cotton said in a tweet. “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.”
The event is scheduled to take place across 2,400 cemeteries across the country, and is set for Dec. 19.
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. https://t.co/rSHZC5qJoV
— Tom Cotton (@SenTomCotton) November 17, 2020
