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Members of the Old Three Notch Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, along with veterans and other volunteers, decorated the gravesites of those veterans laid to rest at Magnolia Cemetery Saturday morning.

The event is part of a nationwide effort to “Remember, Honor, and Teach” about the sacrifices of U.S. veterans during the holiday season. Andalusia was among over 4,900 participating locations across all 50 states. Over 3 million wreaths were laid, including 103 at Magnolia Cemetery.

The wreath-laying ceremony included honoring all members with large wreaths at the cemetery with smaller ones placed at veteran gravesites there. There are 114 veterans buried at Magnolia Cemetery. Those assisting with laying the wreaths were Tommy McGaha, Jeff Cross, Jack Sansom, Andrew Loflin, Randy Hildreth, John Vick, and Dale Martin.

“The freedoms we enjoy today have not come without a price. Lying here before us and in cemeteries across the nation are men and women who gave their lives so that we can live in freedom,” said DAR member and organizer of the event, Hannah Cross.

Guest speaker for the event was Dist. 4 Covington County Commissioner and Marine Corps veteran Tommy McGaha.

“I want to thank the Three Notch Chapter of DAR for the efforts in remembering our veterans during the Christmas season, as well as those who sponsored wreaths and those who volunteered to placing them today.

“Today we gather in solemn reverence to honor the brave men and women of our armed forces who have made the sacrifice in defense of our cherished freedoms. These heroes left their homes and families behind, embodying the spirit of selflessness and valor their hearts filled with the noble hope of safeguarding a brighter future for us all. Let us all remember that our freedoms — the very fabric of our democracy — were secured through their courage,” McGaha said.

The wreaths placed are purchased through sponsorships. This year’s sponsors included: Tadd Fisher, Sue Wilson, Diane Odom, Ellen Crans, Stephanie Smith, Randy Hildreth, Angela Wood, LeAnn Riley, Annilois Ballard, Patsy Stinson, Linda Castleberry, Tammy Hurst, Mary Cross, Carrie Pearson, Steven King, Roger Powell, Caroline McCall, Barbara Clark, Jamey Whitehead, Heather McDaniel, Shonna Reeves, Dawn Baker, and John Vick.

The DAR Chapter is already making plans for next year’s Wreaths Across America event. Wreaths can be sponsored for $17. A matching campaign is already underway for 2025 and continues through Jan. 17, 2025. For every wreath sponsored, an additional one will be shipped to the DAR for its 2025 ceremony, which is scheduled for Saturday Dec. 13, 2025.

To sponsor a wreath or for more information, contact Cross at 769-257-3281 or visit www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/al0143p