Volunteers restore veteran headstones at Western Kentucky cemetery ahead of Memorial Day

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.