Members of the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars are working to get the immediate area around the war memorial paved with personalized bricks. The concrete is in place and the bricks will be added to enhance the look of the memorial. In order to do the paving, the VFW and American Legion are selling personalized bricks to anyone who has ever served in any branch of the military, or in memory of servicemen or women.

According to Jimmy Beck, member of both the VFW and American Legion, non-military bricks are also being sold.

“The bricks will be placed around the memorial and then down the pathways leading to the memorial,” Beck said. “Although the immediate area around the memorial will be for servicemen and women, there will be space on the pathways for anyone to have a brick. The cost of a brick is $100 and they can be printed with up to three lines of 18 characters each.

“We are setting up special times when we will be available for anyone to come by and purchase a brick,” Beck added. “Someone will be at the American Legion here in Atmore from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. on Wednesdays and from 8 a.m. until noon on Saturdays. I am also available at 368-5911, and will be glad to see that no one who wants a brick will be left out.”

Beck said the bricks are selling very well and they have almost reached the minimum they have to have before sending the order for the first shipment of bricks. For those who want to order to commemorate a certain person, it would be a good idea to buy them now, according to Beck.

“These bricks will be a great Christmas present for the hard to buy person,” Beck said. “It will commemorate a time of service for that veteran, which will be a permanent record on display at the memorial. We will be open these extra hours so that anyone who is thinking about a brick for someone for Christmas, should let us know. The bricks will make a wonderful Christmas present and one that will last for a long time. Children of a veteran can go together to purchase a brick, which will be much better than the regular present of socks or ties.”

Anyone who wishes to be a part of the first load of bricks should contact Beck at 368-5911 or stop by the American Legion during these special hours and remember your favorite vet.