Soldiers remembered with Christmas wreaths on graves

The holidays bring many families together, but not everyone has that chance. This morning military families who have lost loved ones visited Ft. Bliss National Cemetery to place Christmas wreaths on graves, including one woman. It’s her 12th year without her husband

“I really don’t look forward to Christmas because I miss him so much,” said Augustina Smith.

“We used to go to California to visit our daughter and he always made it the best Christmas ever.”

Augustina and Howard Smith were married for 43 years, they served in the Army together. Howard fought in Korea; he died 12 years ago.

His wife Augustina visits him twice a year, once on his birthday and again to lay a Christmas wreath on his grave.

“At least I feel like I came to visit him, even though he’s not there, but I feel like he’s there, that I’m talking to him,” she said.

This year Augustina won’t be visiting her daughter in California,, but she won’t be alone–she’ll spend the day with her son in El Paso.

Each wreath on each grave represented the same thing: dead or alive, no one would be forgotten in the holidays

Augustina had one last message for her husband, everyone saying goodbye with a 21 gun salute.

“Look after us, keep in touch with us, help us in any way that you can,” Augustina said.

If you would like to donate to Wreaths Across America so they can buy wreaths for next year you can visit their donation page here.

If you would like to volunteer you can contact the Facebook page here.