DANA, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — Bona Cemetery and local Hoosiers honored, celebrated and remembered the lives of military men and women during Memorial Day weekend.
Over 200 military veterans remains are buried at the cemetery including Thomas J. Harris who fought in the Civil War. Two years ago, cemetery staff said Harris’ tombstone became hard to read but thanks to Veterans Affairs, the headstone was replaced just in time for Memorial Day.
“This was a great honor to be able to replace the stone for this gentleman,” said Bono Cemetery board member Nancy Mcmahon. “We found no family that we could come across in the area that was still connected with this gentleman and we just did not want his service to our country to be forgotten. It was our duty to have this stone replaced.”
This service included the reading of an article written by Ernie Pyle a Dana, IN resident and military veteran.
Doug Weisheit, drum major for the Fountain Trust has participated in Memorial Day services for 18 years. He says days like Memorial Day have a special meaning for him.
“My great grandfather was a Spanish-American War veteran,” said Weisheit. “My father-in-law was a World War II and Korean Veteran and my father was a Korean War veteran so this has special meaning for me and my family today. Especially for me today on Memorial Day.”
Every year, board members for the cemetery lay American flags next to every veteran. McMahon says it feels even more special to honor with their very own ceremony this year.
“I feel that every man and woman who takes the oath to serve our country deserves to be honored and we need to show them our thankfulness and gratefulness because they have no guarantee when they sign on, that the sacrifice would not be required of them, said Mcmahon.
Mcmahon says this is service she hopes will continue as they work to honor all veterans for their contributions to the country.
