Wreaths adorn the graves of fallen U.S. service members, veterans and family members at Arlington National Cemetery in December 2015.

I visited Arlington National Cemetery on Christmas Day 2011.  While walking through the thousands of majestic white headstones, all of which were decorated with wreaths, I realized that there was no more profound way to appreciate the true meaning of Christmas. The heroes interred at Arlington, and military cemeteries across the country, gave their tomorrows for our today.

On Christmas Day and every day, we keep all of America’s Gold Star families in our thoughts and prayers.