Madison’s American Legion Post 229 is calling for help to honor Madison’s veterans for the fifth year.

Volunteers will join members of Post 229 on Dec. 10 to remember those who have served in the Armed Forces, and especially those who died in combat or on deployment, by placing wreaths on the graves of all of Madison’s veterans.

The annual Wreaths Across Madison event coincides with the national Wreaths Across America (WAA) program, which was founded in 1992, as an extension of the original Arlington Wreath Project in Arlington National Cemetery. To read more about the history of the WAA visit Wreathsacrossamerica.org.

Nancy Burch, first vice commander of Post 229, said that many of the volunteers over the past five years were themselves veterans, or had loved ones serving in Iraq or Afghanistan.

“Still others come to honor their family members who have served in the military, and others just wanted to show their support for our veterans,” she said. “It’s great to see families come out, and the Scouts and ROTC members. Teaching our youth about what it means to serve in the military is a great way to honor our veterans, living and dead.”

Volunteers are asked to arrive at 10 a.m. at the Madison City Cemetery on Mill Road, where some will remove the wreaths from boxes, fluff them up and hand them off to other volunteers who will attach bows.

“We’ll need as many people as we can get to prepare the wreaths, and place them on the graves,” Burch said. “All veterans, men and women, who are willing to lay down their lives for their country should be honored, whether or not they’ve died in battle. I hope that parents and grandparents will take this opportunity to bring their children out to the cemeteries and teach them about these heroes.

Post 229 Commander Carl Dow said he wants to encourage everyone in Madison to take the time to view these wreaths and remember the veterans.

“The wreaths will remain on the graves through the New Year, and will be taken up in early January to be stored again until next year,” he said.

Anyone interested in helping is asked to arrive at 10 a.m. at the Madison City Cemetery on Mill Road. Email Nancy Burch at sothngal@knology.net, or call (256)509-6445.