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By Blake Boles 
BOULDER CITY, NV (December 17th, 2016) — Despite a brisk, chilly wind that froze many to the bone, the chapel at the Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery was standing room only as administrators, dignitaries, veterans and volunteers christened this Wreaths Across America day with a special wreath laying ceremony, honoring all branches of the military, and all those designated as POW and MIA. The ceremony, coordinated with hundreds of others in cemeteries across the nation, paid respect to the fallen by placing a wreath at their tombstones while reciting the service member’s name, ensuring that no veteran is forgotten. 
Chris Naylor, honored those who had turned this once sparsely attended event into the large ceremony that it has become. “When we started three years ago, we had maybe thirty people attend this event,” said Naylor. “But due to the efforts of the thirty or so veteran service organizations, that number is now 500.” After the ceremony, volunteers laid 7,500 wreaths upon the graves of service members. That being said, there’s always room for more. “We have 29,000 graves here,” at the cemetery in Boulder City, the second busiest state veterans cemetery in the nation, Naylor said. “So we have a long way to go, but your efforts today bring honor and remembrance to those who served.” 
Volunteers representing veterans service organizations included the Civil Air Patrol (who moderated the event), American Legion, Vietnam Veterans of America, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Catholic War Veterans, and many others. The National Guard was prominent, as were cadets from all service branches. What was most heartening of all, though, was the number of children who came with their families to present wreaths to the fallen and long-departed. 
Among the throng of participants was Michael Scheidle, 20, of Las Vegas. Scheidle is a member of the all-volunteer Civil Air Patrol, and an AmeriCorps State member with the Nevada Department of Veterans Services. When asked about his feelings on the day, Scheidle was reflective. “December 17th was a special day for those who dedicate time to ‘Remember. Honor. Teach.'” said Scheidle, echoing the Wreaths Across America motto. “We always take time to remember those that made the ultimate sacrifice. We remember those that have perished protecting our way of life. We always take the time to honor the fallen. We also of course honor those of us who are in uniform, still present with us here, serving.”  
“And we lastly teach future generations, our children the value of freedom.”