After transferring wreaths a couple times, the McColleys persuaded the store where they bought the wreaths to give them a deal on a bulk purchase of 500 wreaths.
On a rainy Christmas Day in 2006, the McColleys along with their daughter, Cheryl Newbanks, began laying the wreaths on the graves in Quantico’s Section 10, where their son is buried.
As the McColleys leaned the wreaths against the stark white headstones, passersby stopped to help and several asked for wreaths to put on their loved one’s tombs.
The response got the McColleys thinking that they should do more, so they began raising funds to purchase 2,000 wreaths to lay this holiday.
"Last year there were not a lot of wreaths because … these young men don’t have family in the area," said Susan McColley. "These young men have died and their families are all over the country. I count my blessing that I’m able to come here all the time."