MADISON – Members of Madison American Legion Auxiliary, Unit 229 have scheduled two diverse projects to commemorate Veteran Day 2020 on Nov. 11.

Veterans Day, formerly known as Armistice Day, is a U.S. holiday that originally honored the conclusion of World War I on Nov. 11, 1918.

Madison American Legion Auxiliary is collecting cards and letters for the residents of Floyd E. ‘Tut’ Fann State Veterans Home in Huntsville. “Please consider participating in this activity with your family or school, scout, church or other groups,” Madison Auxiliary President Jean Downs said.

Collection boxes are available at Madison Public Library, 142 Plaza Blvd.; Dream Hair and Body Care, 1591 Hughes Road; and 129 Bluff Spring Drive, off County Line Road across from James Clemens High School.

“Residents at Tut Fann have been shut out from the community, family and friends since the COVID-19 pandemic began,” Downs said. “The activity director at Tut Fann said the veterans really enjoy reading, and letters from people of all ages are especially appreciated.”

The Auxiliary Unit of Post 229 has engaged in numerous events to support the veterans at Tut Fann, including our Blankets for Veteran’s event before the pandemic started. “We are looking forward to continuing our support of monthly Bingo with the residents and other activities after the visitation restrictions are lifted,” Downs said.

Deadline to drop off the greeting cards is Nov. 9. For more information, call Downs at 256-929-8450 or email ALAux229@yahoo.com.

In another gesture of patriotism and respect, gravestone cleaning for veterans’ graves will be guided by Madison American Legion Auxiliary on Nov. 7. The event will begin at 11 a.m. and last until approximately 1 p.m.

“We will meet at the Madison Memory Gardens on Hughes Road (just north of City Hall) on the south end of the cemetery,” Downs said. “Family members of all ages can participate in this event.”

The auxiliary will provide cleaning supplies. “But we encourage participants to bring soft brushes and buckets if you have them. Masks will be required,” Downs said.

“We held our first ‘Cleaning of the Gravestones’ event last fall, and it was a very successful day. We cleaned about 30 grave markers in the oldest part of the Madison cemeteries on the south side of Mill Road. We had a wonderful turnout from our community last year and are looking forward to the same support this year.”

Auxiliary members have identified about 40 gravestones and markers to clean in Madison Memory Gardens cemetery and another 25 that require cleaning in Madison Cemetery, which is north of Mill Road and south of City Hall. “There are also a few stones that the city has approved for us to replace properly at their sites,” Downs said.

For more information, call Downs at 256-929-8450 or email ALAux229@yahoo.com.