2018 Year in Review

Thanks to volunteer support from the community, we had an amazing year!

Together, we made a huge impact in our local community through headstone cleanings, Veteran recognition events, fundraisers, and keeping the memories of the dearly departed alive.

Preservation and Restoration

May thru November we provided grounds-keeping services at the Former IOOF Cemetery, the Daniel Davisson DAR Cemetery, and most recently, Fraternal Memorial Park Cemetery.

Our grounds-keeping services include mowing, trimming, litter removal, and brush clearing services. This past year we were able to add headstone cleaning as well!

Headstone Cleaning Workshops

In the beginning of the year, time was spent planning and researching ways to provide the next level of care to historic cemeteries.

On April 21st, The Harrison County Historical Society taught a workshop at the Former IOOF Cemetery on South Chestnut Street. Volunteers from a variety of community organizations came together to learn how to properly clean headstones. Several volunteers learned the basics of resetting fallen headstones as well.

Read Volunteers help cleanup gravestones at historic Clarksburg cemetery for further information on the workshop. Pictures from the workshop courtesy of Barbara Lea Photography

During the year, we continued to put these skills to use. On July 29th at the Former I.O.O.F. Cemetery and during the two day clean up at Fraternal Memorial Park in October.

Fraternal Memorial Park Cemetery

Following is a brief introduction to Fraternal Memorial Park. We will share a more detailed historical recollection on this important cemetery, at a later date.

In 2017 WDTV covered a startling find with “Hard to swallow:” Dozens of unmarked graves found in Anmoore Cemetery. Shortly followed up with XTO Energy to donate Anmoore Cemetery. These two articles help bring to light conditions that at times befall historic cemeteries.

This past August, after exploring a few options, XTO Energy donated Fraternal Memorial Park Cemetery to our organization. Our grounds-keeping activities began shortly after we accepted stewardship.

A two day clean up with the support of XTO Energy and members of the local community was held in October. This combined effort helped began the process to restore dignity and honor to those laid to rest.

Further information can be found by reading the following articles: Volunteers to hold two-day clean up at historic cemetery Volunteers gather to clean up Fraternal Memorial Park in Anmoore. The momentum from this clean up, helped ensure that the majority of the grounds were cut back by December 1st.

Wreaths Across America

This past December, we became more involved with Wreaths Across America. We coordinated the annual Wreaths Across America State House Ceremony and four area cemeteries for Wreath Day.

Fraternal Memorial Park was added to the Wreaths Across America Family of Supported Locations.

Our Wreath Day Ceremony was held at the Former I.O.O.F. Cemetery. Shortly after the ceremony, wreath laying commenced, beginning at the Former I.O.O.F. Cemetery, than proceeding to the Daniel Davisson DAR Cemetery, the Jackson Cemetery, and concluding at Fraternal Memorial Park.