MILWAUKEE— The holiday tradition of laying wreaths for veterans on their graves each year looks a little different due to COVID-19.

However, even with smaller groups, the impact and honor that a wreath holds still remain the same.

Steve Lewis has been laying wreaths for veterans for over 40 years. His wreath-making company, Winter Woods is just one of the companies that donate wreaths each year for veterans' graves at the Wood National Cemetery in Milwaukee.

“My father was a World War Two Veteran so as I lay it look and see where they are from, if they were in the army, what year they were born,” Winter Woods owner, Steve Louis says.

Louis says he takes the time to take in the names and stories of the veterans who lost their lives and honoring them with a wreath.

“A wreath is a circle of life; there is no start to a wreath or an end to a wreath and that's what this is. These people have passed now and our life still continues and our freedom still continues and I think it's really important to honor it,” Lewis says.

The Boy Scouts and the Fallen Heroes organization masked up to lay just over 400 wreaths on Saturday honoring heroes and even some loved ones during the holiday season. 

The 400 wreaths are much less than are normally put out. The amount had to be reduced due to COVID-19 and the number of people who could be out laying them at the same time.

“It’s important to honor people in the Airforce and the other armed forces,” wolf scout Jackson says.

Jackson is working to earn a badge for his Wolf troop. He, his dad, and his brother were able to find their great grandfather's grave and place a wreath to honor him in a special way.

“Our boys were able to see their great grandfather's grave and recognize the name. My grandfather was Joseph Marquardt Jr. and I’m actually Joseph Marquardt the fourth, so it’s pretty neat to see the different generations,” volunteer Joseph Marquardt says.

This weekend was spent honoring the veterans, by taking note of every one as a loved one, and placing a wreath while reading their name.