Abundant volunteers place wreathes so fast, some missed it

Jill Lawrence, foreground, was just one of many who assisted laying wreaths Saturday morning at the National Cemetery. The Wreaths for Heroes ceremony honoring the fallen servicemen was held at 10 a.m. The program has been held annually, but this is the first year where each marker was decorated with its own wreath.
Jill Lawrence, foreground, was just one of many who assisted laying wreaths Saturday morning at the National Cemetery. The Wreaths for Heroes ceremony honoring the fallen servicemen was held at 10 a.m. The program has been held annually, but this is the first year where each marker was decorated with its own wreath.

More than 50 people already were waiting when John Pelzer arrived to open Busch's Florist in Jefferson City at 6:30 a.m. Saturday.

By the time the 1,600 wreaths were loaded to caravan to the National Cemetery, more than 200 supporters of the Wreaths for Heroes program had gathered on Dunklin Street.

The greenery with red bows were placed in front of each veteran's marker in less than 15 minutes.