People across the country and in Wisconsin honored veterans Saturday as part of national "Wreaths Across America".
"We are recognizing our veterans both those who currently serve and those who've given the ultimate sacrifice," said Major Todd Meyer of the United States Air Force Civil Air Patrol.
Wreaths were placed at Brown County Veterans Memorial to honor veterans for their services.
Major Meyer said the Brown County Civil Air Patrol Senior Squadron partnered with "Wreaths Across America" to host a ceremony at the memorial in Ashwaubenon.
The nonprofit organization helps individuals and companies sponsor wreaths so they can be placed on veterans’ headstones.
"Morrill Worcester in 1992 had a wreath company," Major Meyer said. "He had a surplus of wreaths and he donated them to Arlington National Cemetery".
Major Meyer said Worcester gained attention from others who wanted to participate and in 2005 the Worcester Wreath company started “Wreaths Across America”.
Saturday representatives from each branch of the military placed a wreath at the memorial.
Some of the participants included area veterans groups, active duty military, civil air patrol and guest speaker Congressman Mike Gallagher.
"We heard from a gold star mother today whose son made the ultimate sacrifice," said Gallagher. "So in light of people like that who are willing to lay down their lives for this country, I think the least thing we do here at home is just remember them."
Military members are thankful for the support.
"When you're deployed during this time it can be lonely, but for me I never got down," said United States Marine Corps Sgt. John Stradford. "Days like this I knew my family supported my decisions and of course your country does.
Major Meyer said this year over a million wreaths were sponsored and will be placed in Arlington Cemetery and on headstones across the country.
Service members and volunteers will be placing wreaths at veteran gravesites Sunday at Woodlawn Cemetery.
