ORANGE PARK – The purpose of Wreaths Across America, held at the Jacksonville Memory Gardens Saturday was not to decorate the graves of veterans. It was about honoring their commitment and sacrifice, said volunteer Tricia Tate. She wanted people to say the veterans’ names and remember when they placed wreaths on their headstones.

“The freedoms we enjoy did not come without a price,” Tate said after opening proceedings.

A crowd of about 250 attendees then dispersed to place about 1,125 wreaths on veterans’ graves. Morgan Robertson and her daughter Reagan, 6, found the grave of U.S. Army veteran Edward Thomas McArdle, who died in 1969, at 36.

“We’ve been raising money for months for the cause,” Robertson said. “We’ve been telling the girls a lot about what honoring the military means. It’s just really nice to be out here.”

She said her husband is an active duty member of the U.S. Army. They placed their next wreath at the headstone of Glen Wesley Hill, a U.S. Navy veteran who passed away in 2005. He was 65.

“Do you want to say his name?” Robertson asked her daughter. “That means you’re honoring his life because he fought for our country.”

Dave Faraldo served 25 years in U.S. Navy and Mike Griffin served 26. They’re neighbors.

“What amazes me is the fact they’re doing it at 1,100 cemeteries across the country,” Faraldo said. We’re placing 1,100 wreaths here but imagine 1,100 other times in places like Arlington (National Cemetery) and Jacksonville.”

Faraldo found a naval aviator born in 1930, and said he took a picture, so he could look him up later.

“1930 Mike, he’s about your age,” Faraldo laughed.

Joking aside, Griffin praised children’s participation with the event from troops such as American Heritage Girls and various NJROTC programs.

“It’s a nice ceremony and certainly a good way to remember veterans,” Griffin said. “The participation of the next couple of generations is really good.”

Michael Pozen, 13, a Civil Air Patrol Cadet and his father U.S. Air Force Lt. Col Jeff Pozen laid wreaths during the main ceremony. Two of Michael Pozen’s grandparents were in World War II.

“It’s really good because (Wreaths Across America) is a national thing,” Michael Pozen said. “It’s great because we can pay our respects.”

Before organizers called people back, Laurie Welch was tidying up the grave of her step-father, Charles B. Mason, who died in 1998, a U.S. Navy veteran who fought in Japan. She remembered his persona and dinners with him.

“He served our country,” Welch said. “He fought and nearly died for us.”