Legionnaires, students decorate 440 veterans’ graves

MADISON – American Legion, Post 229 was successful in recruiting dozens of youth and adults to place Christmas wreathes on veterans’ graves in Madison cemeteries.

The local American Legion post conducts this annual observance to show respect for deceased veterans during the holiday season. “We had a large turnout of volunteers on Dec. 16 to help,” Post 229 Commander Carlos Woods said.

The volunteer groups who assisted the legionnaires included members of Boy Scout Troop 201, Girl Scout Troop 926, Bob Jones High School Air Force Junior ROTC, James Clemens High School Army Junior ROTC and Sparkman High School Army Junior ROTC units.

“Members of the Raytheon Veterans or RAYVETS and the Kappa Epsilon Psi Military Women’s Sorority, along with a number of local Madison residents volunteered to help,” Legionnaire Paul ‘Tom’ McKinney said.

“The graves of nearly 440 veterans located in the Madison Memorial Gardens, the Madison City Cemetery and the Freedom Memorial Gardens were decorated with the traditional green wreathes highlighted with red bows,” McKinney said.

To prepare for the workday, members of Girl Scout Troop 926 inspected and replaced ribbons that they tied as bows on all of the Christmas wreathes.

“We want every veteran and active military in Madison County that do not belong to a veteran organization to join us, the American Legion,” Post Commander Carlos Woods said.

“The American Legion is the largest veterans’ organization in the United States. It is a non-profit organization. Our four pillars are: veteran affairs and rehabilitation; national security; Americanism; and children and youth,” McKinney said.

“Find out how the American Legion can support you and how you can support us,” Woods said. For more information, email woodscarlos12@gmail.com or visit legional.org.