Remembering fallen soldiers who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our country is important for all the volunteers associated with the Wreaths Across America program. For Greg Patrick, Manager of Silver City Ace Hardware in New Mexico, it is a worthy cause and a way for his Ace team to help support their community.

The Wreaths Across America program started in 2009 to honor fallen military heroes. Each December on National Wreaths Across America Day, their mission to Remember, Honor, and Teach is carried out by coordinating wreath laying ceremonies. The organization purchases wreaths and then distributes them throughout cemeteries so that volunteers can place the wreaths on memorial markers.

Mary Cowan learned that the wreath program at Fort Bayard National Cemetery was going to be cancelled. As a Gold Star mother, she didn’t want to see the program go away. Mary became a Gold Star mother when her son, Chief Warrant Officer Aaron Cowan, died in 2005 while in South Korea. The Gold Star tradition began in WWII. As men were killed in combat, the Gold Star was given to each service member for their ultimate sacrifice to the country. The mothers of those fallen soldiers became known as Gold Star mothers, and their families as Gold Star families.

Mary stepped in as Coordinator for Wreaths Across America and began looking for support to keep the program running. She approached her local Ace Hardware.

"I was asked last year to help out with Wreaths Across America," said Greg. "Ace provides a lot of the muscle, helping to get the wreaths dispersed across the different quadrants of the cemetery."

Each year, Silver City Ace Hardware donates wreaths to aid in Wreaths Across America’s efforts. Volunteers from the store also help with the handling and logistics of distributing the wreaths.

"We’ve had 5 years of every marker having a wreath," said Mary. "In 2023, we had 4,710 wreaths placed."

After they distribute the wreaths, there is a ceremony to honor the veterans.

"It’s a personal thing. All we can do from the living to the dead is pay our respects. Wreaths Across America helps us do that. It’s a touching ceremony," said Robert Lopez, United States Marine Corps Veteran. "I like the fact that Ace gives back. Not only with wreaths. They also support the community."

"It makes you appreciate what the people gave to this country," said Greg.