Carmel VFW supports veterans’ graves

Submitted

Veterans and members of Carmel VFW Post 10003 recently donated funds to the Daughters of the American Revolution Jonathon Jennings Chapter in Carmel to maintain graves of veterans and their families.

The $1,000 will cover the costs of specialty supplies to clean headstones for up to a year.

“Our primary mission is to help veterans and their families,” said Rock Effron, Post Chaplain, a 35-year comrade of the Carmel VFW and a two-term Special Forces veteran of the Vietnam War. “When we saw the before and after photos of the headstones that the ladies of the DAR had done using supplies that they purchased, it was phenomenal. We wanted to contribute.”

Kayla Wyatt, a VFW life-time member and Auxiliary President agreed.

“The funds to support programs like this comes from multiple sources such as events, raffles and donations,” Wyatt said. “I have grandfathers who served in World War II and the Korean War. It is important to remember and preserve the history of those who served.”

Gerrie Bonarrigo-Burton, a member of the local DAR and Auxiliary Chaplain at the Post said the funding will enable them to preserve more veterans’ headstones.

“Cleaning headstones is part of the DAR’s Historic Preservation Committee, and this is something that is nobody’s job, but we do it out of respect for those who have served,” Bonarrigo-Burton. “We covered the Farley Cemetery this season and have now started working in the Old Carmel Cemetery. We already found more than 30 veterans’ headstones in Old Carmel and there are more. We are grateful to the Carmel VFW for the funds to expand our work.”

Wyatt said the Carmel VFW Post strives to make the more than 700 comrades and members feel like the Post is second home.

“We are here 365 days a year and holidays are some of our busiest days,” Wyatt said. “A lot of people come alone, or they bring their family members. All are welcome.”