The Mount Pleasant Cemetery Association, with help from the Howard County Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution, held its second Wreaths Across America wreath-laying ceremony at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 13, at Mount Pleasant Cemetery in New Franklin.

Mary Ellen Kerr, vice regent of the Howard County NSDAR chapter, served as master of ceremonies. Pastor Chris McGowan delivered the invocation, and the Howard County American Legion Post 273 provided the color guard.

Wreaths representing each of the nation’s eight armed services were placed by Major Daniel J. Comegys (U.S. Army, retired), Corporal Michael Quast (U.S. Marines), Senior Chief Dale Monteer (U.S. Navy), Master Sgt. Charles Roller (U.S. Air Force, retired), Marine Gunnery Sgt. Travis Nation (U.S. Merchant Marines), Corporal Bill Hord (U.S. Space Force), Teresa Woodba (U.S. Coast Guard), and Homer Harvey Jr., who placed the final wreath in honor of more than 93,000 service members listed as prisoners of war or missing in action.

Organizers said sponsors who purchased wreaths in honor of specific veterans placed them first. New Franklin FFA members then helped distribute remaining wreaths, placing them at the ends of aisles for placement throughout the cemetery. Each veteran’s grave received a wreath, and a brief prayer was offered for each soldier.