Now the hope is a ceremony to recognize fallen heroes becomes an annual event. The American Legion Riders Chapter 122 hosted its first Wreaths Across America ceremony Saturday, Dec. 13, at Warrenton Cemetery. This is the first year the Legion Riders spearheaded a local effort and were involved in the nationwide campaign which was formed 17 years ago to remember deceased veterans. Specially created wreaths are ordered from Maine and placed on veterans' headstones to recognize their service to their country. The wreaths were sold by the Legion Riders over the past couple of months to families or individuals who wanted to remember veterans during the holiday season. "It shows tribute to the ones that went before us," said Tino Patti, a member of the Legion Riders. Wreaths Across America began when volunteers decorated and laid wreaths at graves at Arlington National Cemetery. It has grown so big that on Saturday more than 350 cemeteries nationwide participated and an estimated 100,000 wreaths were to be placed on headstones. In 2007, 286 locations participated and 32,553 wreaths were distributed. The Wreaths Across America mission is to "Remember, Honor and Teach." "We need to honor them. You have to respect them and honor them," Patti said. Twenty wreaths, the most by any local individual, were sold by 13-year-old Marti Crull, a student at Black Hawk Middle School in Warrenton. During the ceremony, she read a poem she wrote two years ago on remembering veterans. Boy Scout Troop 22 also took part in the ceremony. Troop 22 members presented wreaths that recognized veterans from the seven different branches - Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, Merchant Marines and POW-MIAs - who had lost their lives whether in combat or after their return home. "If it wasn't for our veterans, we wouldn't have this country," said A.J. Haffner, Legion Riders member, to the crowd "We are the most blessed and wonderful nation in the world." Later, Boy Scouts laid some individual wreaths on the headstones in the cemetery. More wreaths will be placed in the near future. Saturday's ceremony was one of 10 held in Missouri and just one of two in the state at public cemeteries. The other services were held at national or veterans' cemeteries across the state. Ceremony organizer Michael Burgess hopes every cemetery in the county gets involved next year so more fallen veterans can be recognized and honored for their service. He also plans on accepting orders for wreaths for next year's ceremony as early as next month. "It's very important to me," Burgess said. "Being a Vietnam veteran myself, I think all veterans should be remembered all year long, deceased or not."