Mobile, Ala. – A local volunteer group is working to place a wreath at the gravesite of every veteran buried at Serenity Gardens in west Mobile this holiday season. The initiative, organized by Wreaths Across America, has set a goal of 3,500 wreaths, matching the number of veterans interred at the cemetery.
Community leadership drives the project
Corrine Busby, a former medic in the Alabama National Guard, leads the effort. “I have loved ones out here … we have,” Busby said, noting that many of the veterans are relatives of her own family. She described the wreath‑placing ceremony as a way to keep veterans’ memories alive for future generations.
When Busby first took on the project in 2024, Serenity Gardens had not hosted a wreath‑placing ceremony in years. The inaugural year raised enough money for 500 wreaths. The following year the fundraiser grew, allowing nearly 1,800 wreaths to be purchased. “Our first year we had a small group for our ceremony. Last year we filled up 200 chairs out here for the ceremony,” Busby recalled.
Fundraising and logistics
Each wreath is handmade in Maine and costs $17. Busby asks donors to contribute any amount – “one dollar or two dollars goes toward the wreath.” The deadline for donations is Dec. 2, and a link to the donation page is provided in the original announcement.
The wreath‑placing process follows a respectful protocol. Volunteers do not lay wreaths over the headstones; instead, they place each wreath at the foot of the stone, pause to say the veteran’s name, and observe a moment of silence. “It’s just absolutely humbling and will bring a tear to your eye,” Busby said of the experience.
Community involvement across the Gulf Coast
Busby and other volunteers will travel to fundraising events throughout the Gulf Coast region to promote the cause. The effort reflects a broader tradition of honoring service members during the holiday season and underscores the strong sense of duty that many Mobile residents feel toward their military families.
Local businesses, churches, and civic groups have already pledged support, and the organizers hope the momentum will continue into future years, ensuring that every veteran at Serenity Gardens receives a wreath each December.
How to help
Donors can contribute through the online portal linked in the original announcement or by contacting Busby directly for information on upcoming fundraising events. All contributions go directly toward purchasing the wreaths and covering shipping costs.
By uniting volunteers, donors, and community leaders, the Wreaths Across America project aims to create a lasting tribute to Mobile’s veterans, reinforcing the town’s commitment to honoring those who have defended our nation.
Original reporting: FOX10 WALA Mobile (news) — read the source article.
