A local veteran’s family received an unexpected Christmas blessing Wednesday afternoon, continuing a holiday tradition rooted in service, gratitude, and community.
For Shirley Alley, owner of Unforgettable Creations, honoring a veteran at Christmas has been part of the season since she opened her small shop on the corner of Sutton Mill Road and GA 197 North in 2020. Each year, Alley selects a deserving veteran or military family and quietly works behind the scenes to make the holidays brighter.
“This is the reason for the season,” Alley said previously of the tradition she holds close to her heart.
Honoring sacrifice and service
This year’s recipients were the family of Matt Ramey, a Desert Storm veteran who also served in Afghanistan and Iraq. Ramey is a life member of Grant-Reeves VFW Post 7720.
State VFW Commander Bill Miles helped connect Alley with the Ramey family, continuing a partnership that has helped guide the selection of veterans honored through Unforgettable Creations over the years.
Although Matt Ramey was unable to attend, his wife, Renae Ramey, accepted the gifts on behalf of her husband and their three children. The presentation included three gift baskets filled with goodies, a red truck–themed Christmas tree decorated by Alley, along with cash and gift cards.
Alley’s holiday gifts are made possible with help from a group of anonymous “secret elves” who assist in assembling the baskets each year. Organizers said the goal is never recognition, only to ensure a meaningful Christmas for a family that has already given so much.
Deeply personal
Alley’s dedication to veterans is deeply personal. Her father was a World War II veteran and former prisoner of war after his bomber was shot down over Germany. That family history has shaped her lifelong respect for those who serve.
Over the years, Alley’s work has extended beyond her shop. She has created wreaths for local veterans organizations and cemeteries, including one that was placed at Arlington National Cemetery during a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
But for Alley, the most meaningful moments remain local — inside her modest shop, during quiet holiday presentations that remind veterans and their families they are remembered.
Unforgettable Creations thanked its secret elves and Bill Miles for helping continue a Christmas tradition built on gratitude, generosity, and honoring those who served.
