COEUR d’ALENE — Over a hundred people braved the snowstorm to gather at Coeur d’Alene Memorial Gardens cemetery Saturday morning to honor veterans.

Each year, at over 3,100 cemeteries across America more than two million wreaths are placed on the graves of fallen military servicemen and women.

Following an invocation by Michael Lewis, a moment of silence and the singing of the national anthem, the Fort Spokane Battalion Sea Cadet Corp. presented the colors with great pride.

“Millions of Americans are gathered, sacred, to remember, honor and teach,” ceremony master Marty Behm said to the crowd. “We’re all proud to be Americans who live in a free society made up of many people and many walks of life. The freedoms we enjoy today have not come without a price. Lying here before us and in cemeteries throughout the nation are men and women who gave their lives so that we can live in freedom, as we do.”

Behm reminded citizens that we must continue to teach the younger generations that this freedom must be fought for, remembered and protected.

“Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction,” Behm said, quoting then-Governor Ronald Reagan’s inaugural address on Jan. 5, 1967.

Citing that the United States has the best trained and best-equipped military forces in the world, Behm oversaw military members representing each branch as wreaths were laid to honor them.

Mayor Steve Widmyer and his wife Marie stepped forward on behalf of the Coeur d’Alene City Council to welcome attendees.

“We gather today in remembrance of those who answered the call of their country and placed their lives on the line for our freedom,” Widmyer said. “I’m reminded of the saying that the flag does not fly because the wind blows it. It flies with the last breath of every soldier who died defending it.”

There are many ways to honor our soldiers all throughout the year, Widmyer said. Making a financial contribution to a veterans organization, flying the American flag, visiting local cemeteries and most importantly perhaps, sharing their stories with others all help teach future generations what the cost of freedom is, and has been, Widmyer said.

“Let us express thanks and appreciation as well to the many military veterans still living and to those actively serving in the armed forces,” Widmyer said. “It is my hope that we can remember our fallen service members not only through our words but through our actions. Our patriotism, service, sacrifice and our participation in the democratic process. We are forever grateful.”

More than 800 wreaths were laid upon the graves marked at Memorial Gardens. Ron Schell, a member of the Patriot Guard Riders placed several. Schell’s father was a Marine veteran who died while on active duty. Schell brushed snow off of the graves, and with solemnity, pronounced the name of each individual. Though not a veteran himself, he thanked each one for their service and sacrifice as the wreath was placed accordingly.

Fundraising for Wreaths Across America begins today for next year’s ceremony. Organizer Kathy Bush with the Coeur d’Alene Kiwanis can be contacted at kathybush58@gmail.com to receive donations.