Waterford — Paula Crocker comes to Jordan Cemetery every couple months to pay her respects to her parents, and she usually lays down Christmas flowers around this time of year. But on Saturday, she lay wreaths.

She and her husband, Rick Crocker, collectively have three parents buried in the cemetery. Their parents are World War II veterans. After laying wreaths on their graves, the Crockers placed wreaths on the graves of other veterans, which had been marked with tiny blue flags.

They came with their grandchildren Emily and Hayley Peckham, ages 11 and 8. Paula Crocker hopes her granddaughters will volunteer again in the future.

Teaching children the value of freedom is one of three tenets of Wreaths Across America, along with remembering fallen U.S. veterans and honoring those who serve. Midday Saturday, a Wreaths Across America ceremony was held at Jordan Cemetery for the first time.

Dozens turned out, some to place wreaths on the graves of loved ones and others to place wreaths on the graves of veterans unknown to them.

The nonprofit Wreaths Across America was founded in 2007 to expand a wreath-laying effort from Arlington National Cemetery to cemeteries across the country. Today, ceremonies take place at more than 1,200 locations nationwide and abroad.

Executive Director Karen Worcester has said, "We are not here to 'decorate graves.' We're here to remember not their deaths, but their lives."

Close to Boston Post Road at Jordan Cemetery, in front of a backdrop of a large flag held up by Waterford fire engines, the ceremony began with the placing of seven wreaths. They were in memory of those who served and are serving with the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard and Merchant Marines, along with those whose last-known status was either Prisoner of War or Missing in Action.

The master of ceremonies was retired Navy Command Master Chief Al Atkinson.

Waterford First Selectman Dan Steward commented that Waterford is proud to support families and give them everything they deserve, because they have given everything for us.

"American democracy is messy and sometimes outright ugly as we openly debate and argue with each other and those in government about what proper governance is. It's by design," said Naval Submarine School Capt. Aaron Thieme. "We must teach our children that, for some, open criticism of the government or its leadership is a death sentence. For Americans, open criticism and debate is evidence of being a good citizen."

A key planner behind the Wreaths Across America ceremony at Jordan Cemetery was Dave Anderson, a Navy veteran and recently retired Waterford Police Department officer.

Anderson is one of the founding members of Freedom Rider USA — a Connecticut motorcycle club for active-duty military, veterans and first responders — and he helped get the group involved.

He said about 500 wreaths were donated this year, and he is hoping for 900 next year. Anderson stressed the importance of teaching children about the necessary sacrifices of veterans.

"Somebody's going to have to take my place; somebody's going to have to take their place," he said. "You're only one generation away from losing your freedom. Some people say, 'Why my kid?' Well, it has to be somebody's kid."

Another ceremony was held at the Divine Providence Cemetery in Norwich. Sacred Heart Cemetery, in Taftville, was scheduled to have a ceremony, but it was canceled because the organizers did not receive their wreaths.

"Wreaths Across America admitted it's their mistake and are looking into it," Dennis Baptiste, junior vice commander of American Legion Post 104, told The Day. He said the ceremony won't be rescheduled but that once the wreaths arrive, volunteers will place them on the appropriate graves.