For the past several years, a growing group of community volunteers have made it their mission to make sure deceased veterans aren’t forgotten at Christmastime. Among them are some of the youngest members of the Warrenton community, who are learning to show gratitude for those who have served our country.

Around 100 volunteers participated in the Wreaths Across America program on Saturday, Dec. 18, laying Christmas wreaths at the graves of every veteran in the Holy Rosary and Warrenton City cemeteries. Participants are asked to read the name on the gravestone out loud when they place a wreath and express gratitude for that person’s service.

Several community members brought their children and local Boy Scout and Girl Scout troops to volunteer on Saturday.

“In the times we’re going through now, it’s awesome that people come together to pay their respects, teach our next generation how we respect our veterans,” said Diane Buxton, who was with her grandson, Mason, laying wreaths at the graves of her father and relatives who were in the military.

“My dad had six brothers, and they all served. My brother is retired from service,” Buxton explained. She said she wanted Mason to know what their family members had been willing to give for their country, and to learn respect for military service.

Mason was the one who laid the wreaths at each grave and read the names.

“Thank you for what you have done and sacrificed,” Mason said as he stood with his grandmother at the grave of a great-uncle.

Amanda Prouhet came with her son Grayson’s Boy Scout troop.

“As much as we can do with them, we try to teach them the importance of community service, respecting the past, and also to just be kind to other people,” Prouhet said. “Volunteering and giving your time can help open their eyes to privileges that they’re given.”

Beth Vincent, who has long been a supporter of local veteran programs, came with grandson Ian Vacek to the Warrenton City Cemetery. Vincent said she acts in memory of her father who never came home from the Korean War.

“I was eight months old. My sister was two and-a-half. He was flying a plane on a bombing mission ... and his plane went down over North Korea,” Vincent said. “They weren’t sure if he ejected or went down with the plane, so he’s still missing to this day.”

“This is amazing that this many people care (for our veterans),” Vincent commented as she watched other groups moving through the cemetery. She said that several generations of her family were called to serve.

“It seemed that everybody at that time felt a duty to go fight for freedom,” she continued. “My father, in a letter he wrote to my mother, said he knew it was a hardship for her to raise two babies while he was gone. But he said ‘It was as if the Master put his hand on my shoulder and said ‘Go.’’ He knew he was going to fight for freedom for people he didn’t know.”

Vincent said she was grateful for programs like Wreaths Across America that teach young people to remember and honor that sacrifice.