Gabriel Chapter Holiday Tradition Continues: Wreaths Across ANC

On December 13, 2025, 14 volunteers from AFA’s Gabriel Chapter in Centreville, Va., continued its proud, annual holiday tradition of supporting Wreaths Across America (WAA) at Arlington National Cemetery (ANC). Since 2015, chapter volunteers have manned a 60-foot semi-truck helping to distribute wreaths to more than 30,000 volunteers who place them at 265,000 gravesites as a living memorial to remember our fallen, honor their sacrifice, and teach the public about military service.

Like many other Chapters across the U.S. who support WAA, Gabriel’s annual tradition reinforces AFA’s mission to support and honor veterans, Airmen, Guardians, and their families while serving as an opportunity to remember our heritage and connect with partner organizations. 

This year’s Gabriel Truck Crew was led by former Chapter President Dallas Kennedy, and former Chapter EVP, Pat Rocke. The Crew included Cheryl Hilton, Brett Parker, Col. Gina Giles, USAF (Ret.), Glenn Roth, Lynda Kresge, Greg Silveria, Patty Silveria, Curtis Silveria, Brian DeGuerra, Lt Col Jazmyn Hyman, Robert Lesefka, Jessica Lesefka, and Lt. Arden Cortez. As one of 67 truck crews, the Gabriel team braved an early morning start and brisk temperatures to unload 280 boxes providing 4,000 wreaths to volunteers for respectful placement at America’s cemetery. Chapter VP for Military Affairs, Chip Campbell, served as an ANC zone chief coordinating volunteer efforts to ensure efficiency. 

The Gabriel crew’s efforts did not stop with placement as several team members returned to ANC on January 10, 2026 for Wreaths Out, removing the decorations and restoring the cemetery to its reverent and pristine state.  

In addition to our volunteers, organizers, partners and sponsors who make this tradition possible, the chapter would like to thank Witte Bros, LLC, a leader in refrigerated product distribution throughout the United States, and their driver Keith Boyd and his wife, Sharmaine, who donated their time, fuel, and vehicle to deliver the wreaths from the factory in Maine to ANC. 

The Gabriel tradition at ANC will continue again later this year when National Wreaths Across America Day will be held on Saturday, December 19, 2026.

Wreaths Across America (WAA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded by Maine businessman Morrill Worcester in 1992, whose mission – Remember, Honor, and Teach – is carried out annually through wreath-laying ceremonies at ANC, as well as at thousands of veterans’ cemeteries and other locations in all 50 states and beyond. For more information on WAA and how your chapter can get involved in your community, please visit www.wreathsacrossamerica.org.