NATCHEZ — It had its somber moment — Vietnam- and Iraq-era tough guys in bike leathers standing next to aging Korean conflict veterans in dress blues, all saluting their fallen brothers as the sounds of “Taps” faded from a nearby bugle — but Wreaths Across America was largely a joyous occasion in 2015.

In what has become an annual observance in the Miss-Lou, community members gathered at the Natchez National Cemetery Saturday to celebrate Wreaths Across America by placing balsam pine wreaths on the graves there. Others collected the wreaths — sponsored at $15 each — to place on the graves of veterans in private cemeteries.

Organizer Rodney Violette said this year’s goal was to exceed the placement of 1,000 wreaths on veteran’s graves — there were nearly that many last year — by nearly half. This year’s effort generated 1,501 wreaths.

Irene Rosiek of Natchez has sponsored wreaths for three years, but this year was the first time she’s attended herself. She’d sponsored wreaths for her brothers and her husband, Fred Rosiek.

“I think it is wonderful honoring the veterans,” she said. “They deserve it.”

Jimmie Coney of Jonesville sponsored 11 wreaths this year — one for her brother, who is buried in the national cemetery, one for her father, who is buried elsewhere, and nine, “for whoever needs it.”

“My brother is here, and I feel like I can honor him in some way with this,” she said. “I think it is very important.”

Prior to distributing the wreaths, the group had a ceremony that included a color guard and the ceremonial placement of wreaths at the cemetery for the five branches of the military, all prisoners of war and the merchant marine.

Taking time to remember veterans helps remember that a sacrifice has been made, the Rev. Everett Ellzey said.

“Aren’t you glad we are free today because someone fought on a battlefield and shed their blood so we can live in freedom from tyranny?” he said. “The veteran represents honor. Honor is the highest respect for anything or any cause, and a veteran deserves our honor. If you have an opportunity to do a good deed for a veteran, do it.”

Violette said Saturday’s participation in the event — which was duplicated in communities across the nation — is part of an effort to show younger generations the importance and cost of freedom.

“We are doing this as part of a united front of national unity as we honor the fallen, those who have served and teach our children the value of freedom,” he said.

Wreaths Across America got its start in 1992 when the Worchester Wreath Company produced more holiday wreaths than the company could use. Rather than trash the thousands of extra wreaths, the company donated 5,000 wreaths to Arlington National Cemetery to be placed on headstones there.

The program eventually grew to include other national cemeteries. The Natchez cemetery has participated since 2003.