Area family upholds tradition of honoring soldiers at Fort Snelling

Prior Lake American

On Christmas morning, Crystal Dahlberg and her Prior Lake family aren’t rushing to the tree to open presents. Instead, the family heads to Fort Snelling to lay wreaths on the graves of soldiers.

Dahlberg has been laying the wreaths (which are donated) since 2007, where she took on the mantle from another woman. Her husband joined and her children as well as any friends available.

“It’s very important for me and my family to show the support to the military families for the sacrifices they make themselves,” Dahlberg said. “For my kids, too, to have something else Christmas morning. I don’t want it to be just about presents.”

Dahlberg said her kids didn’t exactly love the tradition at first, but came around to feeling a sense of pride for the practice.

“It’s just been a family tradition,” Dahlberg said.

The family put about 300 wreaths on soldiers’ graves this year.