Pocono News Section

Veterans Spearhead Cemetery Cleanup

Veterans Spearhead Cemetery Cleanup - Wednesday, September 9, 2009 at 5:40PM EST

Reported by: Mark Hiller
Wednesday, Sep 9, 2009 @ 05:40pm EST
HAZLE TOWNSHIP, LUZERNE COUNTY - A major cemetery cleanup is more than 2-months underway in Hazle Township.

Saint Patrick's Cemetery, also known as Beaver Brook Cemetery, is the final resting place for nearly 100-people.
At least 11 civil war veterans are among those buried here.

AMVETS Post 101 in McAdoo discovered this graveyard in sorry shape during a Memorial Day service this year.
"We found the weeds were waist high," said Rich Dvorscak, a chaplain with AMVETS Post #1, McAdoo. "So only the tall tombstones you could see, the small ones you couldn't."

People living in this neighborhood were well aware the cemetery had become a mess.
"It was horrible. You couldn't see anything," said Christy Bonner of Hazle Township. "You couldn't even tell it was a cemetery."

AMVETS members and some other veterans organizations use weed wackers to help finish the job that first required a riding mower and a brush cutter. They uncovered grave markers dating back to the 1800's -- including some so weathered and worn you can barely see the numbers. The vets and some civilians pitched in to remove the brush -- knowing the soldiers buried here deserved better.

"Actually, it's an honor for me to be here to do this," said Tony Mussoline, a member of AMVETS Post #1, McAdoo. "And I think every one of these guys if you talked to them, it's their honor."

Cleanup is only part of the plan at the old and neglected Saint Patrick's Cemetery. Plans are also in the works to install a memorial and a cross on the burial grounds.

The patriotic volunteers will replace a pvc cross with something more sturdy and fitting. And a design for the memorial calls for the names of the Civil War vets topped off with a cross emblem found in the cemetery.

"They were forgotten at one time," said Dvorscak. "They're not forgotten anymore."

Meanwhile, the veterans are looking for donations of money, equipment or volunteer hours.

You can help by contacting AMVETS Post #1, 16 South Kennedy Drive, McAdoo, PA 18237.