Jason Futch
reporter2.riverbendnews@gmail.com
Christmas wreaths were laid out at the Armed Forces section of the Live Oak Cemetery to remember local Veterans who have passed away, but remain in the hearts of loved ones who still carry on their legacies.
On Tuesday, Dec. 17, members of the American Legion Post 107 in Live Oak came out to lay wreaths at the grave, which were affixed with a red bow. This is the first year that the American Legion has done this. The American Legion was able to procure donations for wreaths, and on the day the wreaths were laid out, the bows were placed on the wreaths and placed on several graves.
“We hope that we can get more donations for this next year,” American Legion member John Dill said, as he laid a wreath on a Veteran’s grave. “The more we can get, the more we can assure that every Veteran at the cemetery can get a wreath.”
The inspiration behind the program was based on the Wreaths Across America program, which delivers Christmas wreaths across national cemeteries yearly. The American Legion Auxiliary had reached out to the program, however, they were unable to get them to come to Live Oak.
That is when the American Legion Auxiliary decided to put the program together, so that the local Veterans that were no longer here were not forgotten.
The American Legion hopes that they will be able to do this again next year, hoping that they will receive donations for the project so every Veteran can get a wreath.
To learn more about the Christmas wreath program or information on joining the American Legion, call (386) 362-5987.