By Patricia A. Douglas
Post 911 Public Affairs Coordinator

Members of the Ryan Winslow Post 911 Family had a busy 2023 Christmas season. The post kicked off the season by gathering on December 9 at Hoover Tactical Firearms to prepare 100 bags for the annual Christmas Caravan at the Birmingham V.A. Medical Center. In addition, 10 bags were made for the Psychosocial Rehabilitation and Recovery Center program participants.

The annual Christmas party followed the next night at On Tap in Liberty Park. Participants enjoyed a nice spread of food, including wings, nachos and sliders. Music was provided by Aaron Branson and J. Willoughby.

Post members Ron Bradstreet, Jeremy Orman, Jack Stevens and Lynn Thomas joined Auxiliary members Donna Butler and Stephanie Orman to distribute the goodie bags to V.A. inpatients on December 12. Members of several District 21 posts also participated in the annual Christmas Caravan at the Birmingham V.A.

“Having fellow comrades come together and say, 'I’ve got your six,’ is really impactful for our veterans,” said Fred Lesinski, Birmingham V.A. chief of veteran experience and community inclusion.

The annual Wreaths Across America (WAA) ceremony was on December 16 at Currie Jefferson Memorial Gardens in Hoover. Participants in the ceremony included the honor guard from the Hoover High School JROTC and members of American Heritage Girls Troop AL1478. Post members presented wreaths for each of the services, plus one for those who are POW/MIA. Member Jeff Newton played taps to end the ceremony, and everyone spread across the cemetery to place wreaths on veterans' graves.

Several members of the Post Family enjoyed a late lunch with George and Marynell Winslow following the WAA event. Ginger Branson, Patti Douglas, Larry Parks and Lynn and Zack Thomas enjoyed seeing our namesake’s parents.