Ziegels Union Church participated Dec. 18 in the National Wreaths Across America.

The event, originally scheduled nationally for Dec. 17, was postponed due to the weather.

More than 60 wreaths were laid on the graves of veterans in the church cemetery by Cub Scout Pack 61, Boy Scouts 261, veterans and members of the church.

The ceremony began with a Boy Scout Honor Guard of Todd Williams, Gavin Williams, and Harold and Ben Heintzelman posting the Colors.

Then Army National Guard Commander Sgt. Maj. Donald Peters invited Cub Scouts Brady Furman, Jacob Missmer and Brady Furman as well as, Marty Loch and Roger Snyder to place wreaths honoring the National Guard, Air Force, Navy, Marines, Army, Merchant Marines and POW/MIA at the base of the military memorial.

Peters then addressed the audience saying, “Freedom is not free, the United States’ freedom is formed on the basis of freedom, justice and equality.”

He thanked the veterans who attended saying, “Thank you, we are honored to know you.”

Wreaths Across America began as a result of Morrill Worcester, owner of Worcester Wreath Company, Harrington, Maine, who at age 12 visited Arlington National Cemetery.

He was awed by what he saw and many years later, when his company, Worcester Wreaths, had 5,000 extra wreaths one year, he sent them to Arlington for placement on the graves of veterans.

This event was continued until 2005 when a photo of the cemetery decorated with wreaths went viral.

As a result, in 2007, Wreaths Across America was formed.

The organization’s mission is Remember, Honor and Teach.