Portage County Historical Society plans a presentation by Christine Untrauer, a Ravenna resident and organizer of the Veteran’s Grave Marker Project.
Attendees will learn about obtaining Veterans Administration military markers during the program at 2 p.m. Aug. 22 at the historical society, 6549 N. Chestnut St. in Ravenna.
There are many veteran graves with no indication of their military service, Untrauer said. The goal of the project is to mark these graves, without expense to their families.
Attendees will learn about the discovery process, which includes searching for records with such sources as FindAGrave, Genealogy Bank, Ancestry, Fold3 and Portage County court records.
Untrauer said researchers have helped locate many veteran’s graves that were unmarked. The research has resulted in markers being installed. Their graves now have flag holders, flags and a military marker.
As described on the project website, when an unmarked grave is located, a veteran’s military discharge record (DD214) is requested. Documentation is submitted to the Veterans Administration. The VA then creates a 24-inch by 12-inch bronze or granite marker with the veteran’s name, birth and death dates, service branch and military rank. It also indicates whether the veteran served during wartime.
When the marker arrives at the cemetery, the Veteran’s Grave Marker Project will pay the cost of installation, Untrauer said.
Within a year, the project has researched 18 of Portage County’s 53 cemeteries, with plans to expand. More than 200 markers are ordered for installation.
Researchers have identified and helped to mark 53 graves at Maple Grove Cemetery. Another 110 graves are awaiting markers.
Event attendees will receive literature about the group and information about volunteering.
This article originally appeared on Record-Courier: Portage Historical Society to focus on veteran grave project
Reporting by Ravenna Record-Courier / Record-Courier
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By Ravenna Record-Courier | USA TODAY Network
