Published: May 13, 2008 01:22 pm      

Scouts place markers on veterans' graves

On Saturday, groups of children, teens and adults picked their way among the pathways and headstones of Fairview Cemetery. Most of those who gathered at the cemetery that day had a job to do — placing bronze markers on 23 veteran’s graves.

Lindsay High School student and Eagle Scout candidate Benjamin Zimmerer headed up the bronze memorial project.

He said he learned about the bronze markers from Phyllis Griffin, county extension agent and 4-H and Youth program developer.

Family members of U.S. veterans can request the markers which are paid for by the Veteran’s Administration when planning their loved ones’ funerals.

Veterans’ family members often place the markers on the graves themselves, but in recent years, funeral homes reported an increase in the number of unclaimed markers.

Many in the community thought that was a shame including Griffin and Benjamin.

They learned that at least 50 markers were waiting to be placed on the graves of Cooke County veterans.

Benjamin is a member of Troop 668 who was looking for an appropriate project to help him complete his Eagle Scout rank.

The bronze plaque endeavor was perfect, he decided.

First, he organized an effort to build forms and make the cement blocks the plaques are anchored onto.

After months of planning several weekends of work which included assistance of a host of neighbors, friends, 4-Hers, Boy Scouts, scout leaders and other volunteers, he chose Saturday as the day to put out the markers.

About 28 people showed up to help with the project including friends and family and members of several local 4-H groups.

Benjamin said he feels “great” about the project and is looking forward to putting out markers at other sites around the county including Reed Cemetery, Acres Cemetery, Era Cemetery, St. Peter's Cemetery, Callisburg Cemetery, Oak Grove Cemetery, New Resthaven Cemetery, Hood Cemetery, Valley View Cemetery, Hibbit Cemetery and Walling Cemeteries.

“We still have 21 markers to put out,” he noted.

Benjamin hopes to complete the project before Memorial Day. He is well on his way to becoming an Eagle Scout.

“ I still have three eagle required merit badges,” he said.

After a stone was placed at either the head or the foot of the grave, Benjamin or another volunteer gently brushed the soft earth from each stone and paused for a moment at the grave.

Benjamin’s mother, Donna Zimmerer said Benjamin made sure no one forgot the veterans in the rush to dig the holes and place the markers.

4-Hers Alyssa Smithson, Kelly Laux, Paige Dill and Payton Dill performed a small, reverent ceremony at each marker.

They named the veteran and thanked him for his service to his country. Then the young women recited the Pledge of Allegiance and read a short version of Taps.

"Day is done, gone the sun,

From the Hills from the lake, from the sky.

All is well, safely rest. God is nigh."

Reporter Delania Trigg may be

contacted at dtrigg@ntin.net