Veterans’ Monument Restoration Project begins Saturday at IOOF Cemetery
Ponca City Now - February 21, 2018 11:54 am
The Ponca City Veterans’ Monument Restoration Project will begin Saturday, Feb. 24, at the IOOF (Odd Fellows) Cemetery on South Waverly.
The VFW and the Veterans Day Parade Committee invite the public to meet at 10 a.m. to help preserve the memory of fallen veterans.
“Many of their monuments have fallen into disrepair. Stones have fallen and some are broken,” said Cindy Kegley of Creekside Village Assisted Living. “Names of Civil War veterans are eroding from the effects of age and weather. Their legacy must be preserved.”
Creekside Village Assisted Living in Ponca City donated funds from its December event, the Festival of Wreaths, that will be used for monument restoration.
“We hope you share our concern, support our endeavor, and become involved in our mission,” Kegley said.
The first step will be to tour the grave sites, evaluate the needed repairs, and attempt to identify the final resting places of forgotten veterans.
“We are deeply indebted to them for the sacrifice they have made,” Kegley said. “Our obligation to recognize them does not end upon their passing. We are responsible for preserving their final resting place and honoring their memory. It is an obligation we are proud to assume.”
Kegley said the VFW and Veterans Day Parade Committee will be at the cemetery regardless of weather, but if it is raining, they will meet under the Pavilion.
The VFW was the chosen recipient for all proceeds raised through the Creekside Village’s sale of the donated wreaths. The decision was then made by the VFW to “pay it forward” into the community of Ponca City and through several meetings, this project was created.
For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/PoncaCityForVeterans/
