Remember the fallen, honor those who serve and teach the next generation the value of freedom.

That is the mission of Wreaths Across America.

Part of the next generation learning about honor and freedom is the Seymour Young Marines.

Members of the organization gathered at Riverview Cemetery in Seymour on Saturday prior to the Wreaths Across America dedication ceremony.

Erin Murphy, 12, of Seymour was among the Young Marines who volunteered their time to help.

Murphy said she comes from a military family and was really excited about the ceremony. She was one of four members from the organization who presented the colors during the service.

“I love being here and talking to people,” she said. “We’re all here to see the same thing, so it’s pretty cool.”

Young Marines member Corbin Holzer, 14, said he and other volunteers would be handing out wreaths.

The dedication ceremony included a presentation of the colors, a 21-gun salute, guest speakers and ceremonial wreath layings for each branch of the military.

This is the third year for the Fort Vallonia Chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution to coordinate the Wreaths Across America program locally, DAR treasurer Kathy Douglass said.

“The first year, we held the ceremony in North Vernon, and this is our second year at Riverview, and we plan to keep it here from now on,” Douglass said. “Fort Vallonia DAR is putting on this program along with the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1925, Seymour American Legion and the Seymour Young Marines.”

She said 288 wreaths would placed on veterans’ graves Saturday, and it actually honors two veterans because people purchase a wreath in honor or in memory of a veteran, and then during the ceremony, they place that on another veteran’s grave.

Gary Dyer, chaplain of VFW Post 1925, welcomed those in attendance for the ceremony and said this year, Seymour was one of more than 3,400 participating locations.

“We are all proud to be Americans that live in a free society made up of many people from many walks of life, and the freedoms we enjoy today have not come without a price,” he said. “Lying here before us in cemeteries throughout this nation are men and women who gave their lives so that we could live in freedom and without fear.”

He thanked those who gave their lives to keep the United States free and said we shall not forget them.

Then Diana Ray, regent for the Fort Vallonia DAR, read the names of 46 people who served in the military who had a wreath placed on their grave Saturday.

“Now more than ever, we reflect on our nation’s veterans and active duty service members who have and continue to fight to protect the innocent and oppressed,” Ray said. “This nation has always been the first to stand up for the freedom of people from around the world. Many of you here today have answered that call and served your country well.”

Ray then shared a quote from the 40th U.S. president, Ronald Reagan: “Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn’t pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected and handed on for them to do the same, or one day, we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our children’s children what it was once like in the United States where men were free.”

“Today, we show a united front of gratitude and respect across the United States of America as we remember the fallen, honor those who serve and their families and teach the next generation the value of freedom,” she said.

During the ceremony, wreaths to honor each of the six branches of the military and POW/MIAs were placed on graves along Soldiers Row. Debbie Carpenter laid the first wreath, and members of the Seymour Young Marines helped place the others.

Douglass then stepped up to the microphone with the closing remarks. She addressed the crowd and encouraged volunteers who were going to place a wreath on a veteran’s grave to say the veteran’s name out loud and take a moment to thank them for their service to our country as they placed the wreath.

“It’s a small act that goes a long way toward keeping the memory of our veterans alive,” Douglass said. “Remember, we are here to not remember their deaths but their lives. Each wreath is a gift of appreciation from a grateful America.”

She said the live balsam fir wreaths symbolize our honor to those who have served and are serving in the armed forces of our great nation and to their families who endure sacrifices every day on our behalf.

Douglass then addressed the children in the audience.

“To our children, we want you to understand that the freedoms you enjoy today have not been free but have come with a cost that someday you may have to pay yourself,” Douglass said.

After Dyer’s closing prayer, those who had sponsored a wreath were invited to take one to place on a veteran’s grave.

The wreaths sold locally support the work of the Fort Vallonia DAR. That includes leading veterans programs, collecting items for veterans and sending care packages to active military members, and new this year was a veterans banner program, where banners were placed on lightpoles in Seymour and Crothersville to honor deceased veterans or active military and veterans still living.

For information, visit wreathsacrossamerica.org.