Gearing up for Memorial Day
Metal of Honor
What does it matter? A person died over 100 years ago and what is left ... a stone that perhaps no one visits. No one is left who knew them. What remains are some letters and numbers etched on a stone - a name, a couple dates, and maybe a line offering a hint of who the person was.
For some of these stones, genealogy research might eventually bring a visitor or two.
Next to that stone is a weathered old metal flag holder that has seen better days, an indication that the person served their country.
Who cares?
Veterans care.
So even if no family members have visited the grave in years, a veteran has. At least once a year. Every year they come to place a flag in that metal flag holder right before Memorial Day.
This year, a small group of old vets decided to go a step further. Grave stone to grave stone, they took note of the condition of each marker at the St. Patrick's Cemetery in Franklin.
A lot of the posts were beat up and in many cases the metal was so worn they were nearly unreadable.
For some of these stones, genealogy research might eventually bring a visitor or two.
Next to that stone is a weathered old metal flag holder that has seen better days, an indication that the person served their country.
Who cares?
Veterans care.
So even if no family members have visited the grave in years, a veteran has. At least once a year. Every year they come to place a flag in that metal flag holder right before Memorial Day.
This year, a small group of old vets decided to go a step further. Grave stone to grave stone, they took note of the condition of each marker at the St. Patrick's Cemetery in Franklin.
A lot of the posts were beat up and in many cases the metal was so worn they were nearly unreadable.
Rich Supak, Pete Wolbert and Chuck Benedict of the Catholic War Veterans, St. Patrick's Post 174 decided it was high time these flag holders were properly upgraded. They obtained 20 new posts and began replacing. Over the past three weeks, they also have refurbished hundreds of posts that could be salvaged. They made improvements in hopes of increasing the longevity and allow them to spin a little easier in the wind. Each post refurbished and re-threaded by Wolbert, who volunteered his time and metal working expertise, also saved Venango County money.
While refurbishing the posts, the trio also inspected the condition of the medallions. Each medallion that could saved was saved. Some admittedly are so corroded that nothing could be done. Those were replaced.
While refurbishing the posts, the trio also inspected the condition of the medallions. Each medallion that could saved was saved. Some admittedly are so corroded that nothing could be done. Those were replaced.
The crew is diligent about making sure every veteran is honored.
"We hope we didn't miss anyone," Supak said.
Supak said that if any veteran in St. Patrick's is missing a flag holder he wants to know because it's important everyone is remembered.
More information or to report a marker that is missing or in need of repair, call Rich Supak at 814-437-3385.
"We hope we didn't miss anyone," Supak said.
Supak said that if any veteran in St. Patrick's is missing a flag holder he wants to know because it's important everyone is remembered.
More information or to report a marker that is missing or in need of repair, call Rich Supak at 814-437-3385.
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