More than 600 fresh green wreaths with red bows were placed on veterans’ graves Saturday at the Southwest Louisiana Veterans Cemetery as part of the Wreaths Across America program.

“The purpose of today is to remember, honor and teach,” Veterans Cemetery Director Dwayne Guidry said. “We remember the fallen, honor those who served and teach the next generation the value of our freedom.”

This is the fifth year the cemetery has participated in Wreaths Across America which provides the holiday wreaths for veterans’ graves at more than 4,700 participating locations in all 50 states and beyond as a way to remember the fallen, honor those who serve and teach children the value of freedom.

On Saturday, hundreds of family members and volunteers gathered in Jennings to place more than 600 wreaths at the headstones and markers at the Southwest Louisiana Veterans Cemetery. Similar wreath laying ceremonies took place across the country, including the Central Louisiana Veterans Cemetery in Leesville.

“We’re members of a much larger group as there are many across our nation today who are participating in this same event and the placing of the wreaths,” Deacon Mike Tramel said. “We are reminded by the wreaths of the circle of God’s grace and of his wonders with us.”

Cemetery Assistant Administrator Sue Daggett said more than three million wreaths were placed by family members and volunteers on veterans’ headstones and markers around the country on Saturday.

“Right now across the country at hundreds of memorial sites like this one we are gathered as one nation to remember the fallen U.S. veterans and to honor those who served and their families and to teach our future generations about the sacrifices that were made to preserve our freedom,” Daggett said. “We must teach the next generation and our children the value of freedom. It is you, the children, the young and the fearless at heart, the most diverse and educated generation in our history who the nation is waiting to follow. We have to teach them or our freedom will be lost with them.”

Cemetery Director Dwayne Guidry said family members and donors sponsor the wreaths each year to ensure that every veteran interned in the cemetery will have a wreath.

More than 650 wreaths were laid at the graves of veterans and their spouses this year. During the first ceremony five years ago, more than 170 wreaths were placed at the headstones and the base of the columbarium wall.

Those placing a wreath were asked to say the name of the veteran they were honoring aloud and thank them for their service while placing the wreath on the grave.

“I think this is awesome because it helps keep their memory alive,” Nikki McGee of Elton said as she placed a wreath at her father’s headstone. “It’s a great way to honor them for their service.”

Anne Boudreaux of Lake Charles was emotional as she placed a wreath on her late husband’s grave for the first time.

“He served 22-and-half years, so he deserves to be recognized and honored for his service,” she said. “That is something he did not get when he returned from Vietnam.”

“I am grateful and glad that they are doing this and thankful to be here,”  Edwin Pichoff III of Broussard said as he and family placed a wreath at his father’s grave. “We miss him, but know he is in a better place.”

“It’s humbling to know that these men and women laid down their lives for us to keep us free and so that my children could live in America and have the freedoms that we enjoy,” Clelie Dugan, a member of the Louisiana Nurse Honor Guard, said as she helped place the wreaths.

Girl Scout Marissa Pinder, 15, of Crowley does not know anyone buried in the cemetery but volunteered to help distribute the wreaths following a brief ceremony.

“I think it is good because some of these may not have family who could be here, so it feels good to be able to help out,” Pinder said.

Chris Boullion of Lake Charles placed a wreath on his father’s grave before helping to lay wreaths on other graves.

“This is my first time here,” Boullion said. “I think it’s a great thing and I love what it stands for.”

The theme for this year’s ceremony was “Live with Purpose.”