HEBRON | American flags waved in the gentle breeze as members of the American Legion Wilson Bates Post 190 stood with rifles at their sides and a crowd of more than 100 sang "America the Beautiful" as a flag was lowered to half-staff.
The Legion members stood around a slab of stone. But this was more than any other rock.
The stone was a way to remember those who not only lost their lives in past wars, but also lost their identities as time and weather eroded their individual tombstones at the Hebron Cemetery.
The new memorial, a collaborative effort spearheaded by Post 190, recognizes local veterans of the Civil War, Spanish-American War and World War I.
Names like Alex Hanna, Ervin H. Ward, John Perrie and Harrison Wilson among others are visible once again on the monument that reads, "In honor of the veterans with unmarked graves in this cemetery."
Post 190 Commander Don Fry thanked those who came together to make the memorial a reality.
"Living in the past can be dangerous. But remembering is healthy. Today we remember with stone," said Fry before thanking individual donors, members of the American Legion, trustees and NITCO who gave $1,500 toward the monument.
"This clearly shows the entire community and NITCO appreciates your efforts to remember our fallen," said Heather Storey, marketing director for NITCO as she presented a giant ceremonial check to Fry.
Others supported efforts with their heart, such as Susan and Tom Witt, lifelong residents of Hebron who attended the ceremony with their two children.
"We respect our community and those veterans who have passed. We want to teach our children to do the same, and it's wonderful to see all of the people here, showing their respect, from all walks of life, all faiths, all backgrounds. We all come together," said Susan Witt.
Fry said the community has been so generous there will be funds to duplicate their efforts at other cemeteries.
"We have enough money to construct a monument at Cornell Cemetery and we're looking at Salem Cemetery too," Fry said.
