Scouts, clubs and cadets assist Legionnaires
MADISON – Following a longstanding tradition, members of American Legion, Post 229 honor deceased veterans during the Christmas season. This year, numerous volunteers of all ages and backgrounds joined the cause.
On Dec. 15, Madison Legionnaires performed their annual decoration of graves of local area veterans. “A heavy turnout of volunteers helped,” American Legion spokesperson Richard L. Blanton Jr. said.
Individuals who helped with the wreaths included several Boy Scout and Girl Scout troops; cadets from the Army Junior ROTC of Sparkman High School and the Air Force Junior ROTC of Bob Jones High School; members of Raytheon Veterans; and numerous Madison citizens.
“They assisted in the placement of Christmas wreaths on the graves of over 500 veterans in the Madison Memory Garden, Madison City Cemetery and Floral Memorial Cemetery,” Blanton said.
Before grave decoration, Post 229 Commander Larry Vannoy presented a check to Girl Scout Troop 926 of Madison. “Post 229 annually contributes to local Boy Scout and Girl Scout organizations and Junior ROTC units supporting these organizations’ efforts and programs,” Blanton said.
Troop 926 members who attended the volunteer session and accepted the donation from Post 229 included Mary Downs, McKenna Shelley and Troop Leader Olivia Downs.
“The City of Madison has made an effort since the 1990s in identifying veterans who have passed away and are buried in local cemeteries,” Blanton said. “But there are many veterans likely in the cemeteries that have not been identified as veterans by family or possessing Veteran-Administration-supplied headstones.”
“American Legion Post 229 requests any family that knows of family members not previously identified in these three above cemeteries to please contact Post 229 so their loved ones can recognized for their service at future Memorial Day, Veterans Day and Christmas season cemetery events,” Blanton said.
American Legion, Post 229 meets monthly on second Thursdays at 7 p.m. at the Lunar Lodge, 740 Eastview Drive in Madison.
Post 229’s mailing address is American Legion, Post 229, P.O. Box 194, Madison AL 35758. For more information, call 256-258-8534 or email Commander@americanlegionpost229.org or Adjutant@americanlegionpost229.org.
