Service members from Norfolk-based, guided-missile destroyer USS Mahan (DDG 72) honored deceased veterans during Wreaths Across America Day at Virginia's Arlington National Cemetery, Dec. 15.

During the event, six Sailors from Mahan also participated in a wreath-laying ceremony for Petty Officer 2nd Class Mark Mayo, who was killed aboard Mahan in 2014 while defending quarterdeck watchstanders from a ship penetration.

"It was an honor to be able to pay our respects to Petty Officer Mark Mayo and other veterans alongside volunteers made up of families and loved ones," said Cmdr. Jason Wilson, Mahan commanding officer. "It was humbling to see the number of people here to commemorate our veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice."

Lt. j.g. Kelli Waterman added, "I was amazed at the number of volunteers who fought through the rain and cold to be able to participate in such a meaningful event. It is so important for us to remember and pay tribute to those who have gone before us. We were lucky to be able to participate today, and the opportunity to honor Petty Officer Mayo this way is something I'll never forget."

Wreaths Across America is a nonprofit organization founded to continue and expand the annual wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery begun by Maine businessman Morrill Worcester in 1992. The mission of Wreaths Across America is to remember, honor and teach.

The second Saturday of December has been designated as National Wreaths Across America Day since its’ institution by the U.S. Senate in 2008. This is carried out in part by coordinating wreath-laying ceremonies on a specified Saturday in December at Arlington National Cemetery, as well as veterans' cemeteries and other locations in all 50 states and beyond.

The Mahan is the 4th ship named after Rear Adm. Alfred Thayer Mahan, a naval theorist on seapower whose book "The Influence of Sea Power Upon History 1660-1763" shaped naval strategy to this day.

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