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Donate Through The American Legion

Matthew Blount Post 555

 

Wreaths Across America

 

For several years, Matthew Blount Post 555 contributed to the Wreaths Across America (WAA) program through other organizations such as the Blue Star Salute Foundation, Inc. (BSSFI) and the Support Committee for the Alabama National Cemetery (SCALNC).  The Executive Committee recently decided to donate directly to Wreaths Across America via their “$5 Back Plan” which gives Matthew Blount Post 555 a refund of $5 for each wreath purchased for $17.  This is a great way to have an annual fundraiser to raise funds for our Americanism Programs such as the High School Oratorical Scholarship Contest, Children and Youth Programs, Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation, and Post activities within the community.  This fundraising program supports and follows The American Legion commitment to support Veterans and their families.  That is the basis for the Triple Nickel Program.

 

The biggest change to this fundraiser starting this year is that ALL checks are made payable to “Wreaths Across America” and given directly to Adjutant Nancy Waller who is the POC for Post 555’s WAA Program.  Checks are recorded and sent directly to Wreaths Across America and in turn, they refund us $5/wreath.  This is a great way for us to honor our Fallen Heroes who are interred at the Alabama National Cemetery in Montevallo by placing wreaths on every headstone in the month of December.  If you have never seen this sight, please join us for the Wreaths Across America Ceremony (dates change each year, so please watch for e-mails, etc.).

 

Please mail all checks to the following address.

 

The American Legion

Matthew Blount Post 555

P.O. Box 97

Pelham, AL 35124

 

For additional information about this event, the Support Committee for the Alabama National Cemetery (SCALNC) schedules, plans, and executes the WAA Ceremony at the ALNC.  SCALNC Chairman Emeritus Pam Nichols is the National WAA Location Coordinator.

 

ABOUT

Wreaths Across America is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization formed in 2007 as an extension of the Arlington Wreath Project with other 1,500 participating locations in all 50 states and 24 National Veteran Cemeteries on foreign soil.

 

Wreaths Across America at the Alabama National Cemetery is a program of the Support Committee with fundraising support from 20 fundraising groups.  For updated information on the ceremony and/or to volunteer for WAA at the ALNC, visit the SCALNC website at https://scalnc.org or their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/scalnc.

 

REMEMBER.  HONOR.  TEACH.

 

In 2008, over 300 locations held wreath-laying ceremonies in every state, Puerto Rico, and 24 overseas cemeteries.  Over 100,000 wreaths were placed on Veterans’ graves.  Over 60,000 Volunteers participated, and that year, December 13, 2008 was unanimously voted by the U.S. Congress as “Wreaths Across America Day”.

 

In 2014, Wreaths Across America and its national network of Volunteers laid over 700,000 memorial wreaths at 1,000 locations in the United States and beyond, including ceremonies at the Pearl Harbor Memorial as well as Bunker Hill, Valley Forge, and the sites of the 9/11 tragedies.  This was accomplished with help from thousands of sponsorship groups, corporate contributions, and donations of trucking, shipping, and thousands of helping hands.  The organization’s goal of covering Arlington National Cemetery was met in 2014 with the placement of 226,525 wreaths.

 

The wreath-laying is still held annually on the second or third Saturday of December.  WAA’s annual pilgrimage from Harrington, Maine to Arlington National Cemetery has become know as the world’s largest Veteran’s parade stopping at schools, monuments, Veterans’ homes, and communities all along the way to remind people how important it is to:

 

REMEMBER OUR FALLEN U.S. VETERANS,

 

HONOR THOSE WHO SERVE, AND

 

TEACH YOUR CHILDREN THE VALUE OF FREEDOM.