While the Benedictine Schools of Richmond campus is home to several holiday traditions which showcase the vocal and acting talents of our students, namely the Saint Gertrude Christmas Concert, the Saint Gertrude Nativity and Benedictine's Lessons and Carols, one holiday tradition for some employees and students from both schools happens quietly off campus.

On the second or third Saturday in December every year, Wreaths Across America (WAA) organizes events at National Cemeteries across the country, at which donated wreaths are laid at the gravestones of fallen American soldiers. This year the event occurred Saturday December 13, and members of the BSoR community attended WAA events at two local cemeteries – Glendale National Cemetery and Seven Pines National Cemetery. BSoR participation in these events has grown in recent years. This year the Benedictine Color Guard and Pipe and Drum Band participated, and a number of Benedictine and Saint Gertrude students volunteered and attended.

Our schools’ involvement began with Saint Gertrude Assistant Director of Admissions Stacey Nelson-Munro and her family in 2018. She recounts, “In 2018, my family wanted to honor veterans and stumbled upon Wreaths Across America. We were thrilled when we found a cemetery about 10 minutes from our home! We sponsored a few wreaths and arrived the morning of the event. To our surprise there were only a handful of other volunteers and no wreaths and no ceremony. The group contacted the WAA headquarters and discovered that there was not a coordinator at the Glendale Cemetery. It was decided that I would become the coordinator. From that moment on we have grown from 10 volunteers and no wreaths to over 100 volunteers and 1,200 wreaths!”

In 2020 Nelson-Munro began her work in admissions at BSoR under the guidance of Greg Lilly. She told him about her volunteer efforts at Glendale. Lilly had the idea of pulling in the BCP Color Guard to participate. Nelson-Munro notes, “It was the 2021 WAA event at Glendale that first included the BCP Color Guard and Joe Covington '22 played ‘Amazing Grace’ on the bagpipes. Moving forward I began announcing the event in the SGHS Friday Footnotes as well as BCP's This Week at Benedictine.” Saint Gertrude students have been involved since 2022, with the exception of friends of the Nelson-Munro girls (Stacey's daughters), some of whom have been attending since 2018.

 

This year, the Benedictine Color Guard continued their participation, led by Jonathan Terrell '26, and “Amazing Grace” was played by the BCP Pipe & Drum Band. Nelson-Munro, in addition to acting as coordinator for all that was happening at Glendale, read a speech, and was joined by her whole family. A wreath presentation honoring each branch of the military as well as POWs and MIAs included Benedictine Head of School (and Marine Corps Captain) Greg Lilly laying the ceremonial wreath for the Marine Corps.

 

For Nelson-Munro, who “is always looking for a way to serve veterans,” one part of the ceremony stands out. “For me, the part of the ceremony when I instruct each volunteer to ‘say the name of the veteran’ as they lay the wreath at their headstone is poignant. Having been a pregnant, 29 year old military widow, I know all too well how easily they seem to be forgotten. Time and life moves on. Their memory, their sacrifice and their names must never be forgotten. I am thankful to every volunteer that laid a wreath with care and intention. In those moments, those reverent moments, they honored lives of service and sacrifice, ensuring our veterans are remembered not just in name, but in spirit.”

 

At the end of the speech at this year’s ceremony were these words: "Today, we show a united front of gratitude and respect across the United States of America as we remember the Fallen, honor those who serve and their families, and teach the next generation the value of freedom."

Lilly attended for the first time in 2021 “because I knew it was important to Stacey and I wanted to support her. My family and I enjoyed it so much that we committed to attend annually. It’s a nice opportunity to remember our fallen heroes and service members during the holiday season. It’s one of the Christmas events that my family looks forward to every year." As for the growing involvement of BSoR students, Lilly says, “I think it says that we have a community that appreciates the sacrifices that individuals have made for our collective freedoms in America.”

Saint Gertrude student Erin Hooper '27 was a volunteer and attended this year for the first time. She notes that “It makes me proud that SGHS has a growing role in honoring our fallen soldiers and their families. We are the sister school of a military school, and many people in our circle have members in their families who have served. Wreaths Across America was just an extra step in growing my appreciation for those who paid the biggest sacrifice for my freedom.”

Benedictine cadet Watson Marshall '27 has been attending Wreaths Across America events for several years now. He comments “I have been going to Glendale since I was in 7th grade. It gets more and more special every year – and seeing my school play a big role in such a special tradition gives a sense of pride and school spirit. It’s a clear representation of who cadets truly are.”