The Friends of Lakeview Cemeteries is readying to showcase several recently repaired headstones of Revolutionary War and Civil War veterans buried at the historic cemeteries on West Main Street in Patchogue.
This is part of the group’s “Save the Stones” initiative, which professionally repairs, cleans, and re-sets damaged headstones due to weathering or vandalism.
On Saturday, Nov. 7, at 11 a.m., the nonprofit will be holding a re-dedication ceremony of the formerly damaged headstones.
This will be the fourth year that the Friends have re-dedicated stones for veterans buried at Lakeview Cemetery in recognition of Veterans Day.
“It is a beautiful ceremony every year, and I’m glad we’ve been able to continue this process of honoring our veterans by restoring these headstones,” said event organizer Lynn (Davis) Relyea.
FLC chair Ralph Wright said the work they do is made possible from the support of the local community.
“These sacred grounds hold the graves veterans of wars from the American Revolution through Vietnam,” he said. “If we continue to get financial support from the community, we will continue this work so we can hold this ceremony every Veterans Day.”
For more information, visit Facebook.com/CRCPatchogue, email info@patchogue.com, or call 631-207-1000.
Top: A scene from last year’s dedication of newly repaired headstones in Patchogue (courtesy)
