Buena High School Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps Cadet Krisher Godsil salutes after holiday wreaths were placed at each headstone at the Southern Arizona Veterans' Memorial Cemetery on Saturday. (Justin Levesque • Herald/Review)
On Saturday, Dec. 8, the Unit 24 Tombstone Junior American Legion Auxiliary (ALA) members placed Christmas ornaments at the gravesites of Legionaries, Auxiliary members, Daughters of the American Revolution, Grand Army of the Republic succeeded by the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War (SUVCW) and the U.S. Indian War veterans. These Christmas ornaments were being placed to honor the veterans, who fought for our freedom, and the women who supported them.
The idea came from an article the ALA Juniors read: “Wreaths Across America.” The event helps communities recognize and remember the sacrifices of deceased soldiers, was founded in 1992 by wreath-maker, Morrill Worcester. The Gold Star Mothers accept donations for sponsorships of wreaths to be placed on veterans’ graves in Pontotoc County, Mississippi. While searching for wreaths, the ALA Juniors found a more inexpensive ornament to place on the organization’s grave markers.
As Kandyce Naveaux, Kayla and Christa Hart placed ornaments at veterans’ graves, they took time to read their names and silently thanked them for having put their lives on the line for the country.
“This is our way of honoring and remembering those who put their lives on the line that we may live in peace and freedom,” Kayla said.
The ALA Juniors will go back after New Year’s Day to remove the ornaments. However, family members are welcomed to take the ornaments as a remembrance of their loved ones. The ornaments will be reused next year, as the ALA Juniors plan to make this an annual tradition.
The ALA Juniors started their morning serving breakfast at the Bizarre Bazaar for tips. Fundraisers such as these help fund the projects sponsored by the ALA Juniors. The ALA Juniors thank all those who support their efforts and encourage their participation. Their next meeting will be held on Jan. 5 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the American Legion Hall on 2nd and Allen, in Tombstone where they will write ‘thank you’ cards to the Veterans, in the Tucson Veterans Hospital, for Valentine’s Day. Other young girls are encouraged to join the efforts of the ALA Juniors to show support of the Activity Duty Military, Veterans, and our community.