Volunteers place wreaths on graves of servicemembers at Zachary Taylor Cemetery in Louisville

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- U.S. servicemembers were honored at a national cemetery in Louisville on Saturday.

Almost 9,000 wreaths were placed on the graves of servicemembers by volunteers at Zachary Taylor Cemetery at 4701 Brownsboro Road. Hundreds of people attended the event that's part of a national day in which 4,000 cemeteries participate in.

"This event is open to everybody, it's a big community event," said Scott Giltner with Wreaths Across America. "We really encourage people to bring out their children so they can learn what it means to be an American."

Barbara and Steve Plenge laid wreaths for the first time. Barbara's parents, who both served in World War II, are buried at the cemetery. Her mother was a U.S. Army nurse in New Guinea during the war, while her father fought at the Battle of the Bulge for the U.S. Army. They married in 1944.

"They're our heroes," Steve Plenge said. "I'm so proud of the people in this community who come out to honor the people many of them don't know, just in their honor."

"It's beautiful to look out and see the wreaths on the graves," Barbara Plenge said.

Last year, Wreaths Across America brought 5,940 Main Balsam wreaths to the cemetery. Volunteers of all ages spent the afternoon placing wreaths around the cemetery.

Burial in a national cemetery is open to all members of the armed forces who have met a minimum active duty service requirement and were discharged under conditions other than dishonorable.

Members of the reserve components of the armed forces who die while on active duty or who die while on training duty, or were eligible for retired pay, may also be eligible for burial.

To learn more about KY0152-Corn Island Chapter, click here.

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