Blue Star Salute of Alabama has begun preparations for its Fifth Annual Blue Star Salute this Memorial Day.

A planning session is scheduled for 2 p.m. Feb. 12 at American Village.

This year’s ceremony commemorates the construction of the Alabama National Cemetery, located adjacent to American Village. On April 19 at 11 a.m., clergy of all faiths will consecrate the cemetery grounds, said R. Glenn Nivens, BSS secretary and agent.

On Memorial Day, May 25, a patriotic music prelude will take place at the cemetery at 8:30 a.m. The event will be followed by the first ever Memorial Day ceremony for the cemetery at 9 a.m.

The ceremony will continue at American Village at 10:30 a.m. All uniformed military and veterans will be admitted free. Others will be asked to make a $5 donation.

For more information, call 672-2887 or visit the Web site www.bluestarsalute.org.