CLAY COUNTY – Last year’s Wreaths Across America was especially stressful for Tina Bullock, but every time she felt the pressure of taking over for Joan Jones, like when the wreaths scheduled for Keystone Heights Cemetary didn’t arrive until the morning of the event.

What kept Bullock grounded, though, was the purpose of the day – to remember our fallen U.S. veterans, to honor those who served and to teach children the value of freedom.

“What I realize now is how did (Jones) get all of this done? She certainly was dedicated and what she accomplished is amazing,” Bullock said.

Although Bullock ran last year’s ceremony, Jones still had a seat on the main stage. Jones, who brought Wreaths Across America to Keystone Heights in 2011, died on Oct. 26. She was 95.

One of the 500 wreaths at the cemetery will be placed in her honor.

Ceremonies also are scheduled for Magnolia Cemetery in Orange Park, Jacksonville Memory Gardens in Orange Park and Hardage-Giddens Holly Hill Memorial Park in Middleburg. Wreaths also will be placed with veterans’ gravemarkers at Middleburg Methodist Church on Sunday.

Saturday’s programs will start at noon.

At Magnolia Cemetery, Mayor Randy Anderson will lead the town’s observance at the Veteran’s Memorial Wall. Guests are asked to bring a lawn chair as seating will be limited. Parking will be at the First Baptist Church at 1140 Kingsley Avenue.

Wreaths Across America was first inspired when 12-year-old Morrill Worcester won a trip to the nation’s capital. He later recognized his success as a businessman was, in large part, due to the values of this nation and the veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country.

Worcester had a surplus of wreaths in 1992 and he placed them on graves at Arlington Cemetery. Thirty years later, millions of wreaths have been distributed.

Bullock ordered 609 wreaths this year, and they arrived on Monday. Of those, 73 were given to Middleburg Methodist Church and others were made available for Amvets Post 86 in Keystone Heights.

Bullock said nearly 8,000 wreaths have been dedicated to Keystone Heights in the last 12 years. She said her most-pressing cost is new wire stands. The Lake Region Kiwanis gave her a mini-grant to buy new stands this year, and they were placed on the graves days in advance.

“(Former Clay County Commissioner and Ret. U.S. Marine) Gayward Hendry will be our guest speaker,” Bullock said. “We really want to child children involved so Keystone Heights Elementary will sing; Keystone Heights High JROTC and the American Heritage girls will be there, too.

“We want to make sure our young people are aware of the service of our veterans.”

Bullock said there will be extra wreaths in case they missed a veteran.

“I always worry we’re going to miss somebody,” she said.

At least she has plenty of wreaths if she needs them. And they got there on time.