GIRARD — Volunteers who laid wreaths on the graves of veterans Saturday were asked to speak the names of the marines, airmen, soldiers, sailors, air corpsmen, coast guard members and merchant marines buried in the cemetery.

“It’s a small act that goes a long way toward keeping the memory of our veterans alive,” said Kevin Hubler of Howland, a member of the American Legion in Girard. “Remember, we are not here to decorate graves; we are here to remember, not their deaths, but their lives. Each wreath is a gift of appreciation from a grateful America.”

Hubler and dozens of others gathered at noon in Girard Union Cemetery to participate in the annual National Wreaths Across America Day. This year’s theme was “Remember. Honor. Teach.”

As rain drizzled, volunteers removed their hoods and hats when Tim Probst played taps. Veterans saluted as they laid wreaths during a ceremony recognizing each branch of the military before volunteers opened boxes of the fresh fir wreaths with red bows to place on the marked graves of veterans.

“These live balsam wreaths symbolize our honor to those who have served and are serving in the armed forces of our great nation; and to their families, who endure sacrifices everyday on our behalf,” Hubler said. “To our children, we want you to understand the freedoms you enjoy today have not been free, but have come with a cost that someday you may have to pay yourself.”

Veterans and other volunteers on Saturday went to 3,136 cemeteries across the country, laying 2.4 million wreaths on the graves of veterans, including participants in Girard, Hartford and Niles, for the National Wreaths Across America Day. More than 500 truckloads of wreaths were distributed nationally, according to the Wreaths Across America website.

The December tradition began in 1992, when a wreath maker from Maine began by bringing wreaths to Arlington National Cemetery.

“When I brought down those 5,000 wreaths that first year, I just thought it was a way for me to say thank you, for what we have in this country,” said Morrill Worcester, founder of Wreaths Across America. “I could have never imagined it would strike a chord like it has and make such an impact. Me and my family continued to be humbled by the support this program receives across the country.”

Hubler said Kathy Blackstone with Blackstone Funeral Homes brought the event to the city, and this was the third year it was held. Niles held its first event Saturday at Niles City Cemetery, and Hartford hosted its second at Center Cemetery.

Stephanie Furano, coordinator of the Niles event, said they had more than 200 volunteers turn out for its event despite the gloomy weather. She said the volunteers included students from Niles McKinley High School, scout troops, veterans and city workers. Furano said the city employees hauled the wreaths to the cemetery, helped put them on the stands and broke down the boxes for recycling.

She said she and her committee, which included members of the Niles veterans board, got a late start on the program because they didn’t want to compete with the banner program honoring veterans throughout the city. However, she said they still managed to get enough support for 1,053 wreaths, which still was not enough to place one on every veteran’s grave.

The volunteers placed wreaths on all 480 graves in the veterans section and fanned out from there.

“I was very happy with our first effort. Hopefully next year, we will have enough to honor all the veterans buried in Niles City Cemetery,” Furano said.

She said people interested in donating for next year’s program can visit the city’s website for more information.

Hartford Trustee Rebecca Whitman said 165 veterans are buried in the Center Cemetery and each one received a wreath. In addition, wreaths representing each branch of the military were placed at the veterans memorial in Hartford Center.

“Mary Lou Anspach is in charge of the event and she does a great job,” Whitman said.

Jackson Township hosted its Wreaths Across America event on Dec. 4. This was the fifth year for their event, and 358 veterans are buried in the North Jackson Cemetery.

Hubler said members of the armed forces make the United States a place where freedom can be exercised.

“We can worship as we see fit; we can raise our children to believe as we do; we can travel from one end of this great nation to the other, and not have to ask permission to go. We are free to vote for whomever we feel should be in government office, with no explanation needed. We have the right to succeed and we have the right to fail at whatever endeavor we wish to pursue,” Hubler said.

The event is a way to ensure that even veterans who died decades ago are remembered.

Hubler said about 1,116 wreaths were brought to the cemetery in Girard.