Barbara Heinrich carried a wreath between grave markers Saturday morning at Hawthorn Memorial Gardens -- working her way toward her father's.
Jesse Heinrich fought in World War II and later became lifelong member of the National Guard. As she walked, Heinrich explained she has placed a wreath on her father's grave every year since he died about 12 years ago.
Her family lived in Jefferson City for "many, many years," she said, adding she lives in Tebbetts now.
"I always do this," she said as she approached the grave. "And my children come when they can."
As she walked, she mused that she's not an Army brat.
"But I might as well be -- because it's in my soul," she said.
When she found her father's grave, she placed her wreath on it, then stepped back and saluted.
She was among the more than 100 people who attended the Wreaths Across America ceremony Saturday morning. The ceremonies began more than 20 years ago, when the Worchester Wreath Company, based in Maine, began donating and placing wreaths on headstones of fallen heroes at the Arlington National Cemetery. The events are intended to recognize service and the sacrifices of service members and their families, especially during the holiday season.
Brett Alexander, who served five years in the U.S. Marines, was the keynote speaker for the ceremony. He said he didn't understand what sacrifice meant until he became a Marine.
Alexander explained he grew up in a small town in Mid-Missouri and it wasn't unusual to hear people thanking veterans and people who were serving at the time for their sacrifices. He didn't quite know what that meant.
Later, he understood.
"To me, (sacrifice) was leaving my beautiful wife and baby girl for extended amounts of time," he said. "Not knowing how long it would take for my daughter to remember me and feel safe in my arms once again."
He'd watch her cry as he left for work. Alexander always worried he might be leaving for months.
His wife sacrificed by being a single parents for months at a time -- a job she may not have known she was signed up for.
He said he understands that Saturday's recognition was for people who went before him, people who sacrificed their marriages, limbs, health and even lives.
"Maybe your sacrifice was a son or a daughter, a brother or a sister," Alexander said. "One thing is for sure -- every one of them sacrificed. Every one showed commitment and love to a grateful nation."
Alexa Pfeiffer/News Tribune photo: Margaret Davis performs the National Anthem on Saturday at Hawthorn Memorial Gardens during the Wreaths Across America ceremony.
Alexa Pfeiffer/News Tribune photo: The Thomas Jefferson Division Color Guard, U.S. Naval Sea Cadets present the colors Saturday at the Wreaths Across America ceremony at Hawthorn Memorial Gardens.
Alexa Pfeiffer/News Tribune photo: Darren Reuter, a U.S. Marine veteran, presents a wreath representing the U.S Marine Corps on Saturday at the Wreaths Across America ceremony at Hawthorn Memorial Gardens.
Alexa Pfeiffer/News Tribune photo: An audience gathers for the Wreaths Across America ceremony Saturday at Hawthorn Memorial Gardens.