March 18, 2024

Memorial Day weekend features ceremonies in Newton

Vets director wants to know about dilapidated headstones

Anyone paying a visit to graves of those whose served their country should be on the lookout for aging headstones, one official says. The Veterans Administration will replace any headstones that have been damaged or have fallen into disrepair to the point of being illegible, said Chris Chartier, executive director of the Jasper County Commission of Veterans Affairs.

He’s hoping anyone out at Jasper County cemeteries during Memorial Day weekend will report to him any veteran’s headstones that need to be replaced.

“The VA doesn’t really have the resources to screen headstones for condition as they age,” Chartier said. “The public need to be the eyes, in this case. We’re willing to help make the process happen to get headstones replaced, but we need to know which ones need it.”

Chartier said there are dozens of cemeteries in Jasper County, ranging from Newton’s large Union Cemetery to small graveyards at former church sites. The county has a military history as rich as anywhere, and its veterans are frequently buried in or near their hometowns.

He said that if anyone can at least read a name, knows the location of a cemetery and in what part the veteran is buried, and preferably has a photo of the headstone, he can follow up on it. It often takes time for the VA to get to each headstone, but in many cases, a replacement can be obtained.

Honoring veterans with legible headstones is an important part of honoring the legacies, he said.

“It’s important to do this before some headstones get completely obscured,” Chartier said. “Young people need to clearly see how many people have served this country.”

Here are some Memorial Day events happening in the Newton area this year:

MEMORIAL DAY SERVICES

Sunday

Memorial Gardens, First Avenue East and E. 28th St., Newton, 9:30 a.m.

Our Silent City Cemetery, Kellogg, 10 a.m.

Slagel Cemetery, S. 28th Ave. E. and E. 68th St. S.,10:15 a.m.

Palo Alto Cemetery, County Road 74 S. near S. 51st Ave. E., 11:15 a.m.

Metz Community Church, W. 62nd St. S.,11:45 a.m.

Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery, S. 12th Ave. W., Newton,12:30 p.m.

Monday

Wittemburg Church Cemetery, E. 8th St. N. near N. 59th Ave. E., north of Newton, 9 a.m.

Newton Union Cemetery, W. 4th Ave. N. and N. 19th Ave. W., 10 a.m.

UNION CEMETERY SERVICE

Monday, 10 a.m. ; Sponsored by Jasper County Veterans Council

Call to order: Gary Wallace

Joint posting of colors: American Legion Post 111, VFW Post 1655, Jasper County Vietnam

Veterans Invocation: Rev. Eldon Pals National Anthem: Elizabeth Pearson Address: Ret.

CSM Gary Barrett Wreath representations: Gold Star Mothers, Woman’s Relief Corps, LaFemmes Cabane No. 283, World War I Veterans, Barracks 1503 WWI Auxiliary, World War II Veterans, Disabled American Veterans Auxilary, Jasper County Korean War Veterans Wives, and Jasper County Vietnam Veterans Wives.

Right-of-way call of deceased: Randy Wagner

Benediction: Rev. Eldon Pals

Salute to the deceased: VFW and American Legion

Bagpipes: Ron Husted

Taps: VFW and/or American Legion.

Contact Jason W. Brooks at 641-792-3121 ext. 6532 or jbrooks@newtondailynews.com