MONTGOMERY — Alabama of Secretary of State John Merrill on Tuesday unveiled a new initiative through which Alabamians can show their support for veterans and democracy with one gesture.
The program, titled “I Vote In Honor of a Veteran,” allows citizens to submit a written testimonial about a meaningful veteran in their life on Alabamavotes.gov. In return, those submitting will receive a bumper sticker and lapel pin showing their support for vets and voting. New “I Voted” stickers with the program’s slogan will also be distributed around the state.
“I Vote In Honor of a Veteran” will not use any tax dollars; it is being primarily underwritten by ALFA Insurance. Jimmy Parnell, CEO of ALFA, joined Merrill for the announcement at the capitol on Tuesday morning.
Merrill said his goal with the program is to “bring greater recognition for all of our veterans, all 380,000 throughout the great state of Alabama, and the service that they have provided to our state and to our country.”
Parnell said the reason for the partnership is because the goals of the program align closely with the values of the organization he leads.
“We owe it to each veteran to vote,” he remarked at the unveiling.
The testimonials submitted are publicly available. Merrill said he wants everyone to know what veterans have meant to the lives of the people around them.
“I am voting in honor of my 6th great grandfather, Levi Peacock, who served as a soldier in the American Revolutionary War. I am forever thankful for him, and for other veterans, who fight to protect our freedoms,” wrote Janey Whitney in one of the portal’s first few submissions.
Additional support for the program comes from ES&S, a company that sells much of the equipment and software used to conduct elections in Alabama.
Also participating in the ceremony was Sergeant Major Harold Jones, who served 43 years across the U.S. Army and the Alabama National Guard.
“I really enjoyed my service, when you spend 43 years doing something it’s gotta be great,” said Jones.
Jones’ daughter, Linda, joined her father at the capitol.
“It will be a wonderful privilege to cast my vote in honor of a veteran, and also my personal hero, my father,” she told the public.
Henry Thornton is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can contact him by email: henry@new-yhn.local or on Twitter @HenryThornton95
