The Portage County Historical Society welcomes the community to a presentation by Christine Untrauer of the Veteran’s Grave Marker Project. Attendees will learn the process of discovery and obtaining Veterans Administration military markers. The program will be held August 22 at 2 p.m. at the PCHS located at 6549 North Chestnut Street, Ravenna.
Currently there are many veteran graves with no indication of their military service, according to Untrauer. The goal of the project is to mark these graves, without expense to their families. Attendees will learn about the discovery process that includes searching for records online at FindAGrave, Genealogy Bank, Ancestry, Fold3, Portage County court records, and multiple other sources.
Among the success stories, with the help of a team of researchers, there have been many veteran’s graves that were located that were totally unmarked. The research for these veterans has resulted in markers being installed and for the first time since their passing, there is a flag holder, flag and a military marker on their gravesite.
As described on the project website https://vgmproject.org/, when an unmarked grave is located, a veteran’s military discharge record (DD214) is requested. Once received, the necessary documentation is submitted to the Veterans Administration to request a marker. The VA then creates a 24”x12” bronze or granite marker with the veteran’s name, birth and death date, service branch, military rank, and if served during wartime.
When the marker arrives at the designated cemetery, the Veteran’s Grave Marker Project will pay the cost of installation, according to Untrauer, Ravenna resident and organizer of the Veteran’s Grave Marker Project.
Within one year the project has researched 18 of Portage County’s 53 cemeteries with plans to expand to the additional locations. More than 200 markers are ordered for installation.
Among the success stories, with the help of a team of researchers, 53 previously unmarked veteran graves have been identified and marked at Maple Grove Cemetery. Additionally, 110 previously unmarked veterans’ graves are awaiting markers.
Attendees will receive literature about the group and information on volunteering.
