NATCHEZ — With wind blowing rain in his face, Oscar Seyfarth stood unfazed as he addressed the crowd at Natchez National Cemetery.

“We are one nation, under one flag and proud to be Americans,” Seyfarth told the crowd at Saturday Wreaths Across America ceremony.

Wreaths Across America is a non-profit organization formed as an expansion of the Arlington Wreath Project. Participating national cemeteries get seven wreaths — one for each branch of the military and one for prisoners of war and missing in action — from Worcester Wreath Company in Maine. An additional 25 wreaths were sponsored by individual and organizations.

The wreaths were placed on headstones around the cemetery to honor the veterans who have served in the different branches of the military.

Seyfarth said the sacrifices those men and women made are the reason the United States enjoys so many freedoms today.

“They presented a united front for the ideals of freedom, justice and equality,” he said. “Many have given their life to keep your freedoms.”

Not even frigid temperatures and dreary skies could keep Seyfarth and those who share his sentiments at home. For Ida Deal of Fayette the day was a chance to pay her respects and say ‘thank you’ to veterans who made the choice to serve the county.

“Many people today are veterans or have family that are in the military,” she said. “Today was a chance to pay tribute to them.”

Seyfarth said the wreaths were being placed on headstones, but they are also a tribute to the military men and women still living and those still serving.

“We also honor the ones today that are fighting terrorism, hatred and injustice,” Seyfarth said.

Attending the event, Solenia Cain of Natchez said, was her way of honoring those who have served before and showing appreciation for those making the sacrifice now.

“This is a way of letting those men and women know that we appreciate what they are doing,” she said. “It isn’t easy for them to do what they are doing and we need to let them know that we realize that and are thankful.”

Wreaths Across American takes place at precisely 11 a.m. on the second Saturday of December each year.

Wreaths for next year’s event can be purchased at www.wreathsacrossamerica.org.

Seyfarth said it is his goal to one day have enough wreaths to adorn each of the 6,500 headstones in the cemetery.