Potter County Today
Hundreds of veterans’ grave markers scattered across Pennsylvania have become difficult, if not impossible, to read. The Potter County Veterans Service Committee has embarked on an ambitious plan to rectify the situation. Members Bill Simpson, Paul Heimel and Dawn Wooster are discussing the recruitment of volunteers to “adopt” these headstones and be responsible for their maintenance so that these veterans are never forgotten. Committee members recently met with Andrew Lumish, a Florida man who has received national acclaim for launching a local gravestone-cleaning mission, for pointers. They are now drafting a plan to present to cemetery caretakers, veterans’ service organizations, historical societies and potential volunteers. A separate component of the plan is a database pinpointing the location of each veteran’s grave and listing biographical information on military veterans buried in Potter County. Seeking to generate support for the plan, Simpson (left in above photo) was guest speaker for the Leadership Potter County class on Tuesday. The committee is compiling a list of volunteers and others interested in being regularly updated on the project. Those seeking to be included on the list are asked to call 814-274-8290, extension 210 or 207.
