Support Committee for the Alabama National Cemetery

10/26/2026

On Friday, October 23, a WWII hero was finally laid to rest 82 years after being reported missing in action. The remains of Nick Gavalas were only recently returned home to Birmingham. Army Air Corp Staff Sgt. Gavalas was only 20 when the B-24 bomber mission he was on went down on a tiny Italian island on January 30, 1944. Only one crew member survived. Thanks to the dedicated efforts of military recovery and DNA identification teams, Staff Sgt. Gavalas’ remains were officially accounted for in June of this year.
Staff Sgt. Gavalas laid to rest at the Alabama National Cemetery with a fly over and full military honors. A number of family members attended and were presented with a flag that was flown over the Alabama State Capitol and a proclamation from Govenor Kay Ivy.
Thank you to the Support Committee members in attendance to those who assisted with details of the honors rendered at the interment ceremony. We will never forget this hero who paid the ultimate price for our freedom.

10/26/2026

On Tuesday October 13, the Support Committee hosted a cookout for the wonderful staff at the Alabama National Cemetery. We truly enjoyed our time and fellowship with our outstanding ALNC Director, staff and contract team and we are deeply grateful for the exceptional care that they provide to our veterans who are laid to rest on the hallowed grounds and to their family members.
Photos are available (thanks to Chic Cecchini) on our photo gallery website:

The Support Committee for the Alabama National Cemetery is a charitable 501c3 all volunteer organization. In futherance of its mission, SCALNC, in consultation with the ALNC director, establishes programs, ceremonies, and other projects not funded by the National Cemetery Administration (NCA) which....

10/26/2026

Thank you to those who responded to our request for Ceremonial Wreath Layers thus far. As of today, we are still looking for family members or close friends (who have not participated in past WAA ceremonies) of military service members who are interred at ALNC for the following:
Air Force
Coast Guard
Merchant Marines
You do not have to speak and it is an easy task that we will show you prior to the ceremony.
Please contact us via messenger or email to [email protected] , if you can help. Thank you for your support.

10/19/2026

Thank you to those who responded to our request for Ceremonial Wreath Layers thus far. As of today, we are still looking for family members or close friends (who have not participated in past WAA ceremonies) of military service members who are interred at ALNC for the following:
Air Force
Coast Guard
Merchant Marines
and a representative for POW/MIA

Please contact us via messenger or email ([email protected]) if you can help. Thank you for your support.

CEREMONIAL WREATH LAYERS NEEDED FOR WAA CEREMONY AT ALNC

To all family members and friends of the Alabama National Cemetery, we are busy planning this year’s Wreaths Across America (WAA) Ceremony at the Alabama National Cemetery which is scheduled for Saturday, December 19, 11 am.
For the last several years, at our WAA ceremony we HAVE foregone a keynote speaker for this particular ceremony in order to share stories of one courageous military service member from each branch of service who is laid to rest at the Alabama National Cemetery. This is a way to remember and honor our heroes while teaching our youth their stories and the value of freedom.

In order to continue what is now a WAA at ALNC tradition, we need your assistance. If you are the family member or close friend of someone who is interred at the Alabama National Cemetery, have not participated as a wreath layer in one of our past WAA ceremonies, and would like to provide us with information on your loved one’s service and civilian life; as well as serve as a wreath layer at this year’s ceremony; please contact Pam Nichols via messenger on this page, or email [email protected].

The Marines and Space Force are filled. The following service branches are needed and will be selected based on first to contact us with your loved one's full name, branch of service, burial section at ALNC if you know, your contact information so that we may follow up with you.

Army
Navy
Air Force
Coast Guard
Merchant Marine
POW/MIA

We are particularly in need of new Coast Guard and Merchant Marines and POW/MIA family members or friends, so please consider participating if you are able. Thank you and we look forward to honoring even more of our fallen servicemen and women.

10/18/2026

It is that time of year once again when we begin planning for Wreaths Across America at ALNC. As our cemetery continues to grow, each year is more challenging than the last but with your help, we will succeed. First, if you have not already done so, please consider a donation for the purchase of wreaths. Secondly, if you wish to volunteer please read our website blog for information: https://scalnc.org/blog/f/information-for-volunteers-wreaths-across-america-at-alnc-2026

10/18/2026

Please consider sharing a few hours of your time to volunteer as we honor our fallen veterans during Veterans Day week. Please join us on Saturday, November 7 at 9 am for graveside flag placement, then again on Saturday, November 14 at 9 am for flag removal, cleaning and storage. Please read our blog for details:

This year the Support Committee for the Alabama National Cemetery will be putting out graveside flags in observance of Veterans Day on Saturday, Nov. 7, at 9 am.  Almost 12,500 flags, will be placed at the Alabama Nation...

10/18/2026

CEREMONIAL WREATH LAYERS NEEDED FOR WAA CEREMONY AT ALNC

To all family members and friends of the Alabama National Cemetery, we are busy planning this year’s Wreaths Across America (WAA) Ceremony at the Alabama National Cemetery which is scheduled for Saturday, December 19, 11 am.
For the last several years, at our WAA ceremony we HAVE foregone a keynote speaker for this particular ceremony in order to share stories of one courageous military service member from each branch of service who is laid to rest at the Alabama National Cemetery. This is a way to remember and honor our heroes while teaching our youth their stories and the value of freedom.

In order to continue what is now a WAA at ALNC tradition, we need your assistance. If you are the family member or close friend of someone who is interred at the Alabama National Cemetery, have not participated as a wreath layer in one of our past WAA ceremonies, and would like to provide us with information on your loved one’s service and civilian life; as well as serve as a wreath layer at this year’s ceremony; please contact Pam Nichols via messenger on this page, or email [email protected].

The Marines and Space Force are filled. The following service branches are needed and will be selected based on first to contact us with your loved one's full name, branch of service, burial section at ALNC if you know, your contact information so that we may follow up with you.

Army
Navy
Air Force
Coast Guard
Merchant Marine
POW/MIA

We are particularly in need of new Coast Guard and Merchant Marines and POW/MIA family members or friends, so please consider participating if you are able. Thank you and we look forward to honoring even more of our fallen servicemen and women.

10/08/2026

For those who were unable to attend the 30 Days of Taps Closing Ceremony, we are happy to share a video of the event (video courtesy of Mile Ousley Productions). Once again, thank you to all of the talented musicians who made 30 Days of Taps possible.

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.