On a brisk Saturday morning, organizers said around 7,000 people gathered at DFW National Cemetery to honor fallen veterans and place wreaths on their graves. The annual wreath-laying event made sure each of the cemetery’s 59,000 graves were marked ahead of the holidays. NBC 5 and Telemund o 39 Veteran’s Network helped Wreaths Across America in the effort. “For me, it’s an opportunity to give back to my fallen brothers,” said Brett Whicker, a retired military member who said even in his second year attending the event, the magnitude of the view amazes him. “This many… American individuals that came out and gave everything to defend… our way of life,” he said. Keynote speaker, Colonel LaHavie Brunson, 13th Armored Corps Sustainment Commander, said it all brings him back to a similar event 25 years ago: As a young officer in Afghanistan, attending the memorial of another. “As the solemn event proceeded, my heart leapt at each volley of the 21-gun salute. In eight, as the senior enlisted leader called the roll for a soldier who we all knew would not respond,” Brunson recalled during his speech at the event. Brunson said remembering service members means remembering their whole lives. “Today gives us space to remember lives marked by service, but also appreciate the joy, personality, humor, and humanity that each veteran brought into the world long before they ever raised their right hand,” he said. Their lives, Brunson said, leave a lesson for everyone. “Your service to others, whether in uniform or in everyday life, is one of the most meaningful paths you can choose,” Brunson said. He said the annual wreath-laying event has become a living tradition. “One that grows stronger each year because people like you choose to show up,” he said. For the first time this year, organizers held a separate family day on Friday to lay wreaths. They said 5,000 people registered for that event and laid 1,740 wreaths. ...read more read less