By CHRISTINE BOATWRIGHT / Staff Writer

Each year the Blue Star Salute Foundation of Alabama Inc. places more than 1,700 wreaths on the graves of those who served their country at the Alabama National Cemetery in Montevallo.

Currently, the BSSFI is more than 400 wreaths short of reaching its goal of having a wreath to place on every grave. The wreaths cost $15 apiece, which means the BSSFI is more than $6,000 short, according to BSSFI Secretary Glenn Nivens.

The BSSFI purchases the wreaths from Wreaths Across America, a nonprofit organization founded in 1992 to provide wreaths for the graves at Arlington National Cemetery in Fort Myer, Va., according to Weathsacrossamerica.org. Today, wreath-laying ceremonies take place across the county.

The deadline to order the fresh Maine Balsam wreaths is Tuesday, Nov. 20. Sponsors can make donations in honor or in memory of a loved one. All donations are tax deductible.

The annual wreath-laying ceremony at the Alabama National Cemetery, which is located at 3133 Alabama 119 in Montevallo next to the American Village, will be Dec. 15 at 11 a.m.

To download the form for a wreath sponsorship, click the following link: Wreaths Across America.

To sponsor a wreath, send a completed form and check to BSSFI, P.O. Box 203, Harpersville, Ala., 35078. Checks or money orders should be made to BSSFI, for Wreaths Across America.

For more information about BSSFI, visit Bluestarsalute.org.