Hundreds paid their respects Saturday to veterans laid to rest at Sky View Memorial Park in Hometown.

It was part of National Wreaths Across America Day, and volunteers laid wreaths on the headstones of every local hero.

Eric Zizelmann, one of the organizers, said that 3,618 veterans are interred at the park. Of them, 94 died in war.

Zizelmann oversaw a ceremony for the event, which is in its third year at the Rush Township cemetery.

Veterans placed wreaths on logos for each of the United States’ military branches. A collective wreath was also placed on logos for Prisoners of War and Gold Star families - those who lost a family member to war.

Dave Truskowsky of Doves of White released doves after each branch was recognized.

Prayers were said and patriotic songs were sung. Members of the Tamaqua Area High School’s Jazz Chorale participated.

Following the ceremony, volunteers braved the cold and windy conditions to place wreaths on the headstones. They were asked to remove snow from the tombs, say the individual’s name, and pause for a moment to remember their service.

Wreaths Across America is a nonprofit organization founded to continue and expand the annual wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery begun by Maine businessman Morrill Worcester in 1992. The organization’s mission of “Remember, Honor, Teach” is carried out in part each year by coordinating wreath-laying ceremonies in December at Arlington, as well as at thousands of veterans’ cemeteries and other locations in all 50 states and beyond.