The holidays are filled with memories, emotions and symbolism.

All three mixed over the weekend at the Natchez National Cemetery as the national program Wreaths Across America made its way to Natchez.

A simple circle of greenery topped with a red bow is a common symbol of Christmas.

We see Christmas wreaths all over the place, but something about the small holiday wreaths placed in perfect pattern with each of the small, white grave markers makes the holiday’s meaning all the more important.

For millions of Christians, Christmas is about the birth of Christ, who walked the earth as a man before making the ultimate sacrifice to allow all mankind to have a pathway to everlasting life.

The symbolism in that sacrifice likely helped to motivate some of the hundreds of thousands of American soldiers, each of who made sacrifices for our nation.

The images from the cemetery are stunning. Row after row of Christmas wreaths adjacent to gravestones represents thousands of lost Christmas memories for the friends and family of the fallen.

We, as a nation, should ever be thankful for their sacrifices, their service and their dedication to our country.