MILWAUKEE — A ceremony held by the Milwaukee VA Wednesday honored those who died on Sept. 11, 2001, as well as those killed in military service in the years after.

A wreath laying ceremony took place at Wood National Cemetery on Milwaukee’s westside. Wreaths were placed on the graves of seven service members buried at Wood who died serving after 9/11.

With this week being the 20-year-anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, the ceremony brought on a variety of emotions.

“All kinds of emotions: happiness, sadness, proud, proud to be a part of the team,” said Darcie Greuel, who helped to plan the ceremony and works with an organization that provides resources to post-9/11 service military service members.

This year’s ceremony was not open to the public due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. However, Zablocki VA Medical Center director Daniel Zomchek said it was important for the VA to still pay tribute.

“Even thought we are amidst a worldwide pandemic and we are dealing with COVID, as other medical centers are in our area, we felt that this is absolutely critical to our mission that we continue focusing on what is important for our veterans,” Zomchek said.

Video of the ceremony was shared with the public via social media and directly with VA staff and volunteers. ​