CORYDON, Ky. (WFIE) – A Henderson man and a group of volunteers spent Saturday restoring headstones of 51 veterans buried at the United Brothers of Fellowship Cemetery near Corydon ahead of Memorial Day.

James Roll and a core group of volunteers cleaned, leveled and repaired veteran headstones that had been sinking, crumbling and covered in moss for years.

Roll said what started as a personal mission after finding a relative’s sinking headstone last year has grown into something larger.

“My favorite part — and you don’t get it unless you participate — is the feeling you get inside,” Roll said. “Like this headstone back here that we just brought out of the ground. Who’s cared for that headstone for years? Nobody. And so now I can walk up to that headstone and say, you’re forgotten no more and we’re taking care of you. And it’s a special feeling you get inside.”

Roll said he found his relative’s headstone last year and could not read it because of growth covering the stone. He taught himself how to properly clean and repair headstones. He later found his great-great-grandmother’s headstone covered in moss.

“That just got me energized,” Roll said. “I’m like, I’m going to take care of my family. And that’s kind of blossomed into what we’re doing today because I’ve got other people energized with me.”

This is the second year the group has cleaned headstones ahead of Memorial Day. Last year, they worked at Basket Cemetery. Roll said he goes out to different cemeteries and does this work several times a month.

The group cleaned all 51 veteran headstones Saturday and placed a flag at each. They also raised about eight headstones out of the ground and reset them.

Roll said the effort is part of a nationwide push to clean and repair veteran headstones and place flags by them for Memorial Day. He said he wants to energize others to check on their family’s headstones and learn the proper way to maintain them.

“We’re trying to bring awareness to the headstones and taking care of them, maintain them,” Roll said. “And it’s all about preservation of the past for future generations. Because if we don’t take care of this headstone like this one that was sinking back here, it’s going to eventually sink below ground. They do. And then nobody’s going to know that person’s name.”

The Jerusalem Masonic Lodge No. 9 covers the cost of cleaners and brushes used in the restoration work. Roll said the cleaner costs about $35 a gallon and can clean six or seven headstones. No one is paid for the work, and volunteers spend five to six hours in the cemetery.

Those interested in helping, learning how to clean headstones or making a donation can reach the group through the Jerusalem Masonic Lodge No. 9 Facebook page.

GEORGETOWN, Ky. (LEX 18) — One person is dead and another person is in custody following an afternoon incident in Georgetown.

According to Georgetown Police, officers responded to the 200 block of Hutchins Drive around 5:30 p.m. for reports of an unknown problem. When they arrived, they located one person dead inside the home and another person with injuries nearby; that person was transported to a local hospital, and their current status is unknown.

One person remains in custody, police say. GPD asks the public to avoid the area, where a scene remains active.

This is a developing story. More information will be added as it becomes available.

FRANKFORT, Ky. (WKYT) – Gov. Andy Beshear announced today that Kentucky has secured $105 million in FEMA disaster funds for six hospitals.

The awards are for expenses incurred during the COVID-19 pandemic from January 2020 to May 11, 2023.

The hospitals include:

• AdventHealth Manchester
• Appalachian Regional Healthcare
• Baptist Health
• Pikeville Medical Center
• T.J. Samson Community Hospital (Glasgow)
• UofL Health
• Kentucky Emergency Management

The governor said the funding is much needed years later.

“What our hospitals did during the pandemic is nothing short of heroic, and my administration worked hard to make sure the reimbursements they were owed under the president’s emergency declaration were delivered,” Beshear said. “While this funding is being received years later, it couldn’t come at a better time, as our hospitals face challenges due to federal Medicaid cuts. This $105 million will make a difference for these hospitals and the Kentucky families who depend on them, which is why today’s news is so great.”

Sentiments echoed by the commonwealth’s emergency management director.

“Our first responders and hospitals went to great lengths to protect the lives of Kentuckians during the pandemic, and I am grateful that we were able to secure this funding and provide the reimbursements these hospitals and our team deserve,” said Eric Gibson. “We are processing the funds as quickly as possible so teams can put those dollars to good use as they continue to care for and protect people across our commonwealth.”