Alpine American Legion Auxiliary Unit 46 works during their largest service project of the year as they put together “Christmas Baskets” for 88 families over the holidays. COURTESY PHOTO

Provided by Alpine American Legion  Auxiliary Unit 46

In December the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 46 – Alpine hosts two programs to honor veterans and support the community.  The fourth annual Wreaths Across Star Valley Ceremony was performed on December 13th at the Alpine Veterans Memorial.  A wreath to honor and remember our veterans was laid by a local veteran during the ceremony.  As an official ceremony cite with ‘Wreaths Across America’ wreaths representing each specific service branch were also laid.  We came together along with millions of Americans gathered at over 5,200 locations to pay respect to over three million service members of the Marine Corps, United States Army, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, Coast Guard, Merchant Marines, and their families who dedicated their lives to protecting our nation and its freedom.  By laying the wreath, we honor those who sacrificially served, teach a generation the value of freedom, and illustrate acts of service recognizing our commitment to serve the Star Valley community with a common purpose that reflects compassion, unselfish sacrifices, and commitment to others.

The unit’s largest service project of the year comes together the week before Christmas.  It is an annual tradition to serve those in need within our community by planning and organizing a Christmas Food Basket program.  This year the unit worked with community partners to serve 88 families with baskets filled with grocery items for a Christmas dinner and additional staple items.  We saw this program grow once again as we served families in need throughout the entire valley.  The families were grateful for these baskets.  There continues to be a remarkable increase in need, yet with the assistance of those in our community, we were able to bless all the families that were nominated.    We are grateful for the opportunity to work with the following organizations that support this program through donations of funds, resources, and time:  Alpine Christian Fellowship Church, Alpine Dental Care, Alpine Fire Department, Alpine Standard (Triple J Companies), Alpine Valley Resort, American Legion – Unit 46, Bank of Jackson Hole – Alpine, Bank of Star Valley, Bridger Animal Hospital, Broulim’s – Alpine, First Bank of Wyoming – Alpine, Four Pines Physical Therapy, Holy Family Catholic Church, Jenkins Hardware, PJ’s Tire, Ravenlunatics, Silverstar Communications, Top of the Rockies, and Yankee Doodle Restaurant.

To be involved and serve in the efforts of the local veterans’ organizations contact any of the following:  Alpine American Legion Post #46 Commander Dennis Christianson at (307) 880-4482, Alpine American Legion Post #46 Auxiliary President Tracey Martiny (907) 854-6825, Afton American Legion Post #49 Commander Ty Campbell at (307) 248-1437, Valley Post #4797 Commander Jerry Lainhart at (307) 880-8887, or VFW Star Valley Post #4797 Auxiliary President Jill Robert at (307) 880-7420.  To learn more about Wreaths Across America visit www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/.