For the fourth year in a row, Pond supported the Wreaths Across America organization for the holidays. Wreaths Across America works to coordinate wreath-laying ceremonies each winter at veterans’ cemeteries across the country, including Arlington National Cemetery and Houston National Cemetery. These ceremonies honor fallen service members and their families during this special time of year.
Washington, D.C. employee, Mark Susa, and his family participated in the wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery on Saturday, Dec. 16, as well as Houston North’s Celeste Lubenow and her family participating in the ceremony at Houston National Cemetery. Susa and Lubenow placed wreaths in honor of Pond family members and other veterans during the ceremonies.
Susa got involved in supporting Wreaths Across America at Arlington several years back when his son’s Boy Scout troop organized an outing to help with the event. After helping with the event for a couple of years, Susa thought it would be nice to place wreaths at graves of individuals affiliated with Pond, and this marks his fourth year of gathering family names to place wreaths for the holidays.
“Arlington National Cemetery is a very special place in its story and history of the country,” said Susa. “Being able to show my appreciation for Pond family members is just one small way of thanking those who protected our nation’s freedom.”
Celeste Lubenow got involved with Wreaths Across America last year when her service group, Catholic Daughters of the Americas, participated by selling sponsorships for wreaths. Lubenow said her participation in last year’s event helped raise her awareness about how important it is to remember those that served to protect our freedoms.
“Paying tribute by placing a wreath on a veteran’s grave, speaking their name aloud and reflecting on their life is a small gesture that my son and I can offer to thank those that served,” said Lubenow.
Susa placed wreaths for thirteen Pond employees at Arlington National Cemetery and Lubenow received 35 sponsored wreaths for placement at Houston National Cemetery.
Click here learn more about Wreaths Across America.