Under crisp sunny skies, family members and volunteers gathered Saturday morning to to adorn the tombstones of those in military service at Fort Sheridan National Cemetery, with fresh wreaths for the holiday season.
Now in its 11th year, Fallen Hero Wreaths has become an annual celebration of patriotism, founded by Lake Forest resident and owner of Northwoods Wreaths, Andy Barrie, who says his inspiration for the project was personal.
“The act of laying these wreaths began as a way to honor my dad who served at Great Lakes, during WWII, and who instilled in me the greatest respect for our soldiers and the importance of honoring them in every way possible,” Barrie said.
Saturday’s 9 a.m. event began with a public ceremony offering appreciation for those who served in our nation’s military and for their sacrifice for our freedom, highlighted by color guard and bagpipe music, a thank you to local individuals and organizations for their fundraising efforts, and a review of wreath-laying etiquette.
“Take a knee, place a hand on the grave marker, say the person’s name out loud, adjust the bow at the top center, and don’t let the wreath cover the name,” Barrie instructed.
Saturday, every grave at Fort Sheridan National Cemetery a total of 3,600 graves, received a wreath.
According to Barrie, 3,050 graves represent former military buried there, and this number has been expanded to include all family members and infants so that every grave on both sides of the headstone would be included.
Rosemarie Herrlin of Lake Forest lost her husband, William Herrlin, a veteran of the Korean War, in June 2024, just 3 months short of their 50th wedding anniversary.
“I am so touched by the wreath-laying ceremony today in this beautiful place, I guess I just didn’t expect this amazing turnout,” Herrlin said.
Barrie says, Northwood Wreaths conducts annual Fallen Hero Wreath-laying ceremonies at Fort Sheridan National Cemetery, the U.S. Naval Cemetery at Great Lakes, and the Southern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery, each year.
Every 26-inch wreath is fresh cut and handmade with decorative red ribbon. Wreaths are created from a harvest of balsam fir trees grown in Wisconsin, and distributed through Didier Farms in Lincolnshire.
With a donation price of $15 per wreath, Barrie says, over 400 fundraising and youth groups worked to supply the wreaths and volunteers for Saturday’s event.
“Through this community fundraising we are making sure that no soldier at Fort Sheridan or Great Lakes is forgotten during this holiday season,” Barrie said.
Community participation included scout troops, youth groups and schools, civic organizations, families, area businesses, corporate sponsors, and individuals, all looking to honor our veterans in a meaningful way.
“This year’s biggest seller of wreaths was Scout Troop 21 out of Batavia, Illinois,” Barrie said.
Cindy Trew attended with family on Saturday to honor her father, Vietnam Veteran, and U.S. Army Major, Daniel Robert Trew, buried at Fort Sheridan National Cemetery.
Trew says she grew up on Fort Sheridan, and that her family lived in officer housing, while her dad was stationed there.
“Christmas was Dad’s favorite holiday, he played Santa Claus every year – which is why we join in the fundraising for the fallen soldier wreaths, this would have meant a lot to him,” Trew said.
Gina Grillo is a freelancer for Pioneer Press.
