MENOMINEE -- People from the Menominee community were at Riverside Cemetery remembering local fallen soldiers. To honor them during this holiday season, they placed wreaths on each grave.
"It's a fact there were young men dying in battlefields a half a world away, wishing to be in their loving arms of their families, and they weren't. They were upholding American ideals," said Jean Stegeman, Marine Corps veteran.
Wreaths Across America is a tradition which spread throughout the nation, but it's still fairly new in Menominee.
The Veterans Auxiliary started this tradition seven years ago.
"A factory out in Massachusetts went and delivered wreaths to Arlington Cemetery. When we heard about it through an auxiliary meeting, we decided we wanted to do this," said Jane Raygo, organizer.
Officials say it's the smallest thing they can do to show appreciation for all they have done.
"It makes me very proud that there are people in our community that are willing to take the time out of their busy day to remember the true suffering and loss so that we may enjoy day-to-day freedoms that sometimes we may take for granted," said Jean Stegeman.
This year wreaths were placed on 250 graves of fallen soldiers.
Officials say it's important to continue remembering the sacrifices our soldiers have made for us, and they hope this tradition continues to grow.
TV Station Profiles & Public Inspection Files forWLUC