Community: Help Honor our Veterans
In Maine, municipalities are responsible for maintaining and mowing all veteran’s graves and are required by law to place a flag and holder on each veteran’s grave on Memorial Day. Locally, VFW Post 5477 coordinates the placing of flags on graves each Memorial Day.
The VFW is currently working on a project to purchase flag holders for each and every veteran’s grave to assure that each veteran is honored and to help make cemetery maintenance easier. The Town has traditionally budgeted $400 toward the purchase of the flags and flag holders. At the last Town Council meeting Malcolm Kenney, on behalf of the VFW, requested $1100 from the Town toward the purchase of flags and flag holders. The request was tabled, since Town Councilors had been approached by citizens who were interested in making private donations toward this effort. In this difficult budget year for the town, individuals can honor our veterans by donating directly to the VFW’s Memorial Cemetery Fund to help with the purchase of flag holders and flags.
Mal Kenney says the Post has an ongoing effort to locate every veteran’s grave in the many cemeteries that dot our area. He also says that in the past few years brass flag holders have been stolen and need to be replaced. The VFW will be purchasing plastic flag holders that will be less likely to be stolen. Mr. Kenney notes that the Memorial Day observance and respectful maintenance of veterans’ graves is very important to veterans’ families.
You can help honor those who have served and sacrificed for our country by donating to the VFW’s memorial cemetery fund as soon as possible. Mr. Kenney will be updating the Town Council as to the progress of the fundraising effort at the next council meeting.
Checks should be made payable to VFW Post 5744 and noted “Memorial Cemetery Fund” so they can be placed in the dedicated account. Checks should be sent to VFW POST 5744, 16 Butler St, South Berwick, ME 03908
Tags: veterans
March 31st, 2008 at 7:03 am
FYI * South Berwick Maine contributes no funding for the maintenance of the Veteran’s Graves even though it is a law. The cemetary association has repeatedly asked for assistance with this and is either told that it didn’t make the budget or that it there is no money in the budget.
This year 10,000 was put on the budget for it, but of course due to the overage it once again will not be funded. How can they justify this action
March 31st, 2008 at 7:40 am
The Old Berwick Historical Society posts lots of information on South Berwick Cemeteries at http://obhs.net/Cemeteries.htm. Follow the links to fascinating background on some of our most interesting cemeteries and veterans. The “List of Cemeteries” link will also take you to our roster of 99 cemeteries and a database of thousands of names. If you have info to add to this compilation, please write info@obhs.net.
On Saturday, April 26 at 1:00 pm (rain date May 3), the historical society is leading a tour of South Berwick’s oldest municipal cemetery, the Old Fields Burying Ground on Vine Street, a beautiful spot overlooking Leigh’s Mill Pond. Please join us for this free, one-hour walk among ancient headstones of South Berwick residents dating back to the 1700s, and hear stories about their lives, including Revolutionary and Civil War veterans.
On Saturday, May 3 at 9:00 am, a cleanup of this cemetery is also planned. Bring your rakes, tarps, etc. To learn more contact info@obhs.net.
Let’s all support the VFW’s push for the flag holders, too!
March 31st, 2008 at 8:07 am
Dear Concerned,
In discussions with the cemetary committee, the council looked at their needs as well as the town’s ability to assist their efforts. Though the council did remove the cash contribution from the budget, it was with the expectation that the town could provide in-kind services to the cemetary in meeting their infrastructure needs with our public works crew. The public works director and the cemetary director had reviewed a list of projects which needed doing at the cemetaries. These efforts could be scheduled around the crew’s regular work. It was with his recommendation that the council opted to provide services rather than cash in this tight budget year.
April 5th, 2008 at 9:59 am
[…] Help honor Veterans: You can help honor those who have served and sacrificed for our country by donating to the VFW’s memorial cemetery to help with the purchase of flag holders and flags for this year’s Memorial Day observance. Find out more… […]