Like many staff members at ANC, Quality Assurance Specialist Patrick McGrady has family members buried or inurned at the cemetery. McGrady, who served for 14 years as an Army mechanic, visits his parents’ niche in Columbarium Court 7 almost every day. McGrady’s father, a major in the Marine Corps, served during the Vietnam War and earned a Bronze Star for his actions.
On Dec. 10, McGrady woke up early for ANC’s Wreaths Across America Family Passholder Day, which allows family pass holders to place wreaths at their loved ones’ graves in advance of the public Wreaths Across America Day on Dec. 16.
McGrady spends his workdays inspecting headstones and escorting interment contractors onto the grounds. “It’s all about the headstones,” he said, as he described his work. His job allows him to visit his parents’ niche on a daily basis. However, this day was special.
As McGrady reached his parents’ niche with the red-bowed wreath he had received, he reflected on both of them. “My mom loved being a Marine wife,” he said. “She was the rock of the family.” His father often brought McGrady and his sister to Marine functions and picnics.
McGrady’s parents met during high school in southern Virginia. His father joined the Marine Corps after graduating from nearby Emory and Henry College in 1955, and they married after he completed his training. After serving in Vietnam, he remained in the Marine Corps until 1976. The couple settled in Springfield, Virginia, to raise their two children, McGrady and his sister Sheila. “He always said ‘I love the Corps,’” explained McGrady.
Before McGrady began working at ANC in 2013, his father requested that he be buried at the cemetery. His mother passed away first at age 76, a month after heart surgery. His father passed away five years later from cancer, at age 85. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, few people were able to attend his funeral; however, ANC held a modified military honors funeral, as required at that time. McGrady expressed gratitude that ANC cemetery representative Kelvin Dixon oversaw both funeral services.
At his parents’ niche, McGrady placed the wreath in front of the niche cover. Before standing up, he tapped the cross at the top of the niche engravement and stood silently for a moment before departing.
His parents’ niche is engraved with the words: “LOVED BY ALL and SEMPER FI.” McGrady explained, “My sister and I decided to put those words on the niche cover. They were loved by all, and my father loved the Marine Corps.”