Wreaths for Vanessa + a Playlist
Words by: Maggie Laubscher | Music by: Abby Yemm
Today, we lay our wreaths and honor our fighters. Each year on December 19, Wreaths Across America honors fallen military members with wreath-laying ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery and more than 2,100 other locations across our country. Over the past 30 years, the nonprofit has laid more than 2 million wreaths at more than 2,000 cemeteries, all for military veterans.
Today, we are thankful for those that enlisted and sacrificed. And we are sending love to their families, who are in the midst of a holiday season without someone they love. The wreath ceremonies are beautiful and haunting, with wreath upon wreath representing a human body, a life cut short. One such life was Vanessa Guillen, an army specialist murdered in April by a fellow soldier. His name was Aaron Robinson and he brutally burned and dismembered her body after sexually harassing her for months. Vanessa was just 20 years old. We donated a wreath today in her name, but wished we didn’t need to.
Last month, we wrote about Vanessa and other women in the military for Veterans Day. As we said in that post, we send extra love and a fighting spirit to female military veterans. They are the women who stand up, stand strong, and keep fighting -- for themselves and for us. Women in the military are a small but mighty group, and growing. With 1.64 million female veterans currently, it’s a group often harassed and ignored, with Vanessa one such victim.
Before her death, Vanessa had told friends she’d been sexually harassed by the same soldier who later murdered her. This month, the Army completed an investigation into the murder and reported major flaws in the culture at Fort Hood, the military base where the murder took place. According to a New York Times article, female soldiers on base were preyed upon, forced into survival mode, and wouldn’t report harassment for fear of being ostracized and re-victimized. It’s maddening to read about, but also necessary. It’s also an issue that isn’t exclusive to Fort Hood: it’s everywhere for women in the military.
In Vanessa’s case, some belated justice is being served. Her killer was charged with her murder, though posthumously -- shortly before the charge, he killed himself. And his girlfriend, who helped with the murder, has also been charged. In addition, a bill has been introduced to Congress titled #IAmVanessaGuillen. Its goal is to create an independent agency for military members to report allegations of sexual harassment and assault. It’s a bill that could relieve members of that deep-seated fear of reporting harassment. It’s a bill that could have saved Vanessa’s life.
So yes, today we honor fallen military members. We are thinking of Vanessa today and sending love and light to her family. The holidays are a beautiful season but also a time where loss is pushed to the forefront. For those dealing with loss - which is so many of us - you are not alone. The holidays amplify everything: love, gifting, decorating, spirits, and sadness. It’s merry but also messy. For the veteran’s crisis line, text HOME to 838255. And for the National Suicide Prevention Hotline, call 800-273-8255. We found this post helpful as well.
We are also looking for ways to support the bill. Because thoughts and prayers are not enough. Donate or lay wreaths for Vanessa and other fallen military here. And you can turn on this year’s Wreaths Across America live stream here.
