The mission is a shared one: to provide wreaths for tombstones of veterans in Jefferson City.
Two local groups spent Saturday morning making sure that happened.
Wreaths for Heroes is a local organization headed by Lorraine and Pete Adkins. It was founded in early 2010 and was successful in placing an artificial wreath at each of the 1,587 graves at the National Cemetery on East McCarty Street.
Despite the wintry weather, there were plenty of volunteers to accomplish the task in a short amount of time. This included students from Cedar Hill Elementary. Each year, students from local schools come out to help with the wreath placement. It's seen as not only a way for them to honor veterans but also to serve as a history lesson for the students.
"I became involved in other events to honor veterans, and I've just been doing this ever since," said Sharon Naught, who serves on the Wreaths for Heroes Committee. "I just hope this makes more people aware of what a beautiful place this is and how well it's kept to honor the veterans. I think it's just a wonderful event that Lorraine has organized."
Doug Pavitt served in the U.S. Army from 1971-2013. His grandfather, Henry Pavitt, who served in World War II, is buried in the cemetery along with his wife. After a wreath is placed before the headstone, the volunteer is asked to step back three steps and give a moment of silence or, in the case of veterans such as Pavitt, render a salute to their fallen family members and comrades.
"If I see a World War II veteran, I always make sure to stop them and thank them for their service," Pavitt said. "I'm always amazed how pristine the cemetery looks after all the wreaths are out."
Also Saturday, the Wreaths Across America program placed wreaths at Hawthorn Memorial Gardens on Horner Road to honor those who served in the five branches of the military. An extra wreath was placed to honor the more than 93,000 POWs/MIAs. That wreath was placed by Wilburn Rowden, himself a POW in World War II.
The program was started in 1992, decorating grave markers at Arlington National Cemetery with a holiday wreath. National interest spread the concept until 2007, when the organization formed as a nonprofit to "remember, honor and teach." Each year, at the same time, wreathes are placed in all 50 states and at 24 national cemeteries on foreign soil.
The ceremonies at Hawthorn were led by Staff Sgt. Joe McGrail, who told the crowd they were honoring what those who fought and died had accomplished. He also told the young people they very well could be called upon to serve in order to continue our democracy.
Quoting the poem "I am a Veteran" by Andrea C. Brett, McGrail said, "I am part of a fellowship, A strong mighty band, Of each man and each woman, Who has served this great land. And when old glory waves, I stand proud, I stand tall, I helped keep her flying over you, over all, I am a veteran."