They say “if it ain’t raining, it ain’t training,” and today at Prospect Hill Cemetery, the weather certainly put our dedication to the test. It was a cold, rainy December morning—the kind that soaks through your coat and chills you to the bone—but it didn’t stop a single person from showing up for Wreaths Across America.

The gray skies actually added a layer of somber dignity to the ceremony. As we stood in the rain to honor those who have passed away or are missing in action, the physical discomfort was a small reminder of the much greater hardships our veterans faced in the field.

Once the ceremony concluded, we set out across the cemetery’s hilly terrain to place the wreaths. The wreaths were heavy with rainwater, but there was a deep satisfaction in seeing the green wreaths and red bows begin to pop against the wet, gray headstones.

I made a special point of finding William N. Wood’s grave. Given the close relationship the Masons of Unity Lodge No. 146 had with him, it felt important to ensure his stone was decorated despite the downpour. Standing there in the rain, placing that wreath for a brother Mason and a fellow patriot, the weather didn’t seem to matter much anymore.

By the time we finished, we were all shivering and soaked, but Prospect Hill looked beautiful. We kept our promise: no veteran was forgotten today, rain or shine.