Wreaths Across America brings thousands of volunteers to honor the fallen at Arlington

WASHINGTON - Thousands of volunteers gathered at Arlington National Cemetery Saturday for the annual holiday wreath-laying event that pays tribute to those who served and died -- in America's wars.

Every December, Wreaths Across America places wreaths on the graves at Arlington and other veterans cemeteries.

Thousands of volunteers came to lay 267,000 wreaths on Saturday.

Arlington National posted a photo of the line of volunteers, armed with umbrellas in the raining morning coming to collect wreaths from boxes.

"Thank you for honoring and remembering all who rest here. This meaningful tradition is in its 27th year here at the cemetery. #HonorThem"

"Spending a rainy Saturday morning helping with Wreaths Across America at Arlington!!" Jessica Moyer told her followers on Facebook.

"Such a humbling experience."

Last year more than 75,000 volunteers placed wreaths at 245,000 Arlington gravesites.

This year, the organization shipped a staggering 1.75 million wreaths to 1,640 locations that will hold ceremonies across the U.S., according to the Pentagon.

President Donald Trump made an unannounced visit to Arlington National Cemetery on Saturday for a holiday commemoration.

In a steady rain, Trump visited the cemetery during an annual event in which holiday wreaths are laid to honor the sacrifices made by veterans and their families.

The president's trip to Arlington came about a month after he received criticism for not visiting the national cemetery on Veterans Day.

And that, in turn, came after a visit to a World War I cemetery in France was scuttled due to poor weather.

The president on Saturday listened to a tour guide as they walked through the rows of white tombstones.

Trump told reporters that he supported a plan to expand the cemetery so it could continue to hold burials for decades to come.

FoxNews.com, The Associated Press contributed to this report.