Community unites to repair rundown veterans cemetery
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BREMERTON, Wash. - A community has come together to right what they say is a wrong - and now a veterans' cemetery in Bremerton is finally getting the care it so desperately needs.
Retired Marine John Pursley inspired this clean-up when he finally complained about the condition of Bremerton's Ivy Green Cemetery, where hundreds of military veterans are buried, including the remains of one man in the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
"For all the things these folks have done to serve us and our country, we're out here to give a tiny piece back," he says.
Pursley explains that he brought his grandson to the cemetery a couple of years ago to show him the tomb of the unknown. When he saw the rundown condition of the cemetery, he says, "I was really embarrassed."
Now he and a large group of volunteers are toiling in the heat, doing manual labor that takes a strong back - all in an effort to restore the cemetery to a better condition.
"Everybody buried here is a better man than me," says Pursley. "We should take care of our veterans."
Tall weeds, moss and dirt cover fading paint at the tomb of the unknown. And it wasn't just the tomb. Many of the other military grave markers were in equally bad shape, including some that were broken and toppled by vandals.
Community activist Todd Best heard about the rundown condition of Ivy Green Cemetery from Pursley.
"I went from being sad, to ultimately mad," says Best.
Anger can be a powerful motivator. So Best put out the call for help, and more than 200 people showed up.
"It overwhelms me," says Best.
The first volunteer to arrive got to the cemetery before Best did.
"There was an elderly gentleman at the gate waiting to come in," he says. "This guy was a World War II vet, a Korean War vet, and he's walking with an oxygen container. He says, 'How can I help, Todd?'"
Now the effort is going far beyond a cleanup. Organizers are working to renovate the entire tomb and surrounding grounds - to create a sacred place, worthy of those buried here.
Organizers cannot accept money, but they are asking for donations of materials and professional labor to build their new Tomb of the Unknown Soldier memorial.
"To the ones who have served, I guess, in a way, letting them know they aren't forgotten, either," he says.
Retired Marine John Pursley inspired this clean-up when he finally complained about the condition of Bremerton's Ivy Green Cemetery, where hundreds of military veterans are buried, including the remains of one man in the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
"For all the things these folks have done to serve us and our country, we're out here to give a tiny piece back," he says.
Pursley explains that he brought his grandson to the cemetery a couple of years ago to show him the tomb of the unknown. When he saw the rundown condition of the cemetery, he says, "I was really embarrassed."
Now he and a large group of volunteers are toiling in the heat, doing manual labor that takes a strong back - all in an effort to restore the cemetery to a better condition.
"Everybody buried here is a better man than me," says Pursley. "We should take care of our veterans."
Tall weeds, moss and dirt cover fading paint at the tomb of the unknown. And it wasn't just the tomb. Many of the other military grave markers were in equally bad shape, including some that were broken and toppled by vandals.
Community activist Todd Best heard about the rundown condition of Ivy Green Cemetery from Pursley.
"I went from being sad, to ultimately mad," says Best.
Anger can be a powerful motivator. So Best put out the call for help, and more than 200 people showed up.
"It overwhelms me," says Best.
The first volunteer to arrive got to the cemetery before Best did.
"There was an elderly gentleman at the gate waiting to come in," he says. "This guy was a World War II vet, a Korean War vet, and he's walking with an oxygen container. He says, 'How can I help, Todd?'"
Now the effort is going far beyond a cleanup. Organizers are working to renovate the entire tomb and surrounding grounds - to create a sacred place, worthy of those buried here.
Organizers cannot accept money, but they are asking for donations of materials and professional labor to build their new Tomb of the Unknown Soldier memorial.
"To the ones who have served, I guess, in a way, letting them know they aren't forgotten, either," he says.
TY to all the volunteers for participating in such a great cause today. Seeing the results made me very proud to be a part of it, and I really appreciate Komo 4 for sharing this story and hope it  will inspire other folks and communities to partake in such events.:-)
I was at this event and helped with the check in of all the volunteers that attended. Not only families, but all varieties of groups of people coming together for one common goal was amazing. These were church groups, neighborhood groups, politicians, families and veterans that enjoyed each other's company and did a superb job. This all would not have happened without TODD BEST and his ability to connect to people in the Bremerton and surrounding areas. Because of his character and true heart to better the City of Bremerton he is a true asset and is very much appreciated by many and mostly, me. Thank you, Todd Best for all your hard work.
".... There was an elderly gentleman at the gate waiting to come in," he says. "This guy was a World War II vet, a Korean War vet, and he's walking with an oxygen container. He says, 'How can I help, Todd?' ...."
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THIS is "The Best Generation" - they give of themselves rather than thinking of themselves, and they are fading away.
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I have tried to instill this same sense of giving back to my son - and he DOES give back, thinking of others. I hpope more parents my age (I am 51, my son is 21) have done the same. Our futures are in THEIR hands.
More veterans should get involved in this sort of thing. After all, many of us will end up in a National Cemetary in the end.
 @svenssonÂ
Not to disagree with you, but I altered your statement a little...
"More 'People' should get involved in this sort of thing. After all, many of us will end up in a National Cemetery in the end." The same thing was done at Pine Grove cemetery in Michigan, originally for the Veterans interred there. But it ended up renovating the entire cemetery itself. That was a total success. Bu8t it took a few years.
What a great day making some long overdue improvements. Amazing what happens when a couple hundred citizens and friends get together. It's hard to believe that the cemetary was ever allowed to get to such an unacceptable appearance.Â
It's awe inspiring to see organizers who "can't accept money" but rather have labor or material donations. That way you know everything is going into their cause. Nice job. I'm sure it'll look great when they're done.
So nice to see the children there helping. Here's a tip for parents: If you get your kids involved in community service you stand a much better chance of them growing up respecting other people, other people's property....and you!
If you want something done right, you'd best do it yourself.