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By JOYANNA LOVE/ Managing Editor

The Confederate Memorial Park in Marbury is hosting a unique event to commemorate the Christmas season this year.

On Dec. 11, a presentation will be held sharing information about how veterans at the Alabama Soldiers’ Home on the site would have celebrated Christmas.

“Christmastime is a season that many of us can relate to, and this offers us a great opportunity to connect visitors to the lives of the veterans who once lived here,” Calvin Chappelle, Confederate Memorial Park site director, said. “Thousands of Alabamians answered the call to support the establishment of the Soldiers’ Home at the beginning of the 20th century, but that generosity did not end once the Home was completed. The local community, and even a few surprising patrons, fully embraced the Christmas Spirit to ensure that these needy veterans had additional cheer during the holidays. This is just one example of the kindness that was continually shown to the residents of the Home throughout its 37 years of operation.”

He said the event will be a 30-minute presentation and slideshow inside the museum at the park, followed by a guided tour of the museum by Chappelle.

“The museum offers exhibits on the life of an Alabama Confederate veteran from recruitment to old age, including hundreds of artifacts from the Civil War and the Soldiers’ Home,” according to a press release about the event.

Cost is $5, and reservation is required as there are only 15 spots available. To make a reservation, call the museum at 205-755-1990.

The Confederate Memorial Park is located at 437 County Road 63 in Marbury.