Veterans buried at Winston Memorial to be honored as part of Wreaths Across America

HALEYVILLE - The families of veterans buried at Winston Memorial Cemetery in Haleyville will once again have a chance to honor their loved ones in a special way this Christmas, thanks to a partnership between the American Legion Auxiliary and Wreaths Across America.
Wreaths Across America, a non-profit organization whose goal is to remember the nation’s veterans and their sacrifices through honoring them visibly with wreaths either given to living veterans or placed on the graves of veterans each December will once again be working with Whitehead Unit 33 of the American Legion’s Auxiliary, based in Haleyville this year.  The Auxiliary is taking orders now for the approximately 14” balsam  wreaths, which will have decorative bows attached to them, with the goal of having wreaths on the graves  of veterans buried at Winston Memorial for Wreaths Across America Day Saturday, Dec. 14.  The Auxiliary is planning to hold a special ceremony on that date at the cemetery at approximately 11 a.m., with more details to be announced later as they become finalized.
Rebecca Linam, president of the Auxiliary, is happy to see this program to honor veterans at Christmas growing.
“The American Legion Auxiliary was created in 1919.  Part of our mission  is to dedicate ourselves to serving our veterans, military and their families with this coordinated effort to honor our veterans - living and dead.  We hope to give honor to our heroes - remembering them as always, never to forget their sacrifices and/or continued sacrifices in order for us to continue enjoying our freedom.  As Americans, we continue to remember and offer thanks,” Linam said.
The price for the  wreaths is $17 apiece this year.  They may be purchased online by going to wreathsacrossamerica.org\AL0113P and choosing to sponsor a wreath.  You may use any credit card or PayPal to purchase the wreath(s).
Wreaths can also be purchased by sending a check to Rebecca Linam, 1705 35th St., Haleyville, Ala. 35565. Please make checks payable to “Wreaths Across America” and include the name(s) of the veteran(s) you wish to remember or honor.  Also, please include a good contact phone number.
Please note no wreaths will be sold to individuals or groups that are not veteran affiliated.
Individuals who purchase a wreath for living veterans will need to stop by the American Legion Post, located off of Highway 13 North, on Friday, Dec 13, from 4-6 p.m. to pick it up. The deadline to place a mail-in order for a wreath is Friday, Nov. 22, at 5 p.m. Orders can be taken online through December 3.
The American Legion Auxiliary is requesting that a family member for each veteran who has a wreath ordered attend the wreath laying ceremony and perform the honor of laying the wreath, if possible, during the ceremony. However, it is not mandatory for a family member to be present in order to have a wreath placed on the grave.
The Legion is hoping to have volunteers - from individuals to church or civic organization groups - be able to come to help lay the wreaths on Dec. 16.  Any individual or organization interested can contact Linam at (205) 552-2868 or by email at linamrebecca@yahoo.com.
“We may take wreath orders requested for other veterans buried in other cemeteries with the stipulation that persons who order them will need to bring in a signed form getting permission from the caretaker of the cemetery to place the wreath and be totally responsible for laying and removing of the wreath on or before Feb 1, 2024,” Linam said.
Linam and the rest of the Post 33 Unit would like to see this program expand across the county, with more organizations joining together to make sure that wreaths are placed on the graves of all veterans buried in Winston County.
“This most impressive program is hopefully going to bring honor,  glory and unity to veterans living and deceased and to families and friends filled with precious memories,”  Linam said.