MINNEAPOLIS— The Minneapolis Pioneers and Soldiers Memorial Cemetery in the Phillips neighborhood is so old that it even predates the state of Minnesota.
“We’re here because they were here, and I think that’s really important,” said Sue Hunter Weir, president of Friends of the Cemetery.
There are 22,000 unmarked graves on the site. The few with gravestones date from the 1860s.
“Just over 200 veterans were buried here,” Weir said. “Including approximately 180 soldiers from the Civil War and four from the War of 1812.”
Tombstones of veterans took center stage on Saturday. Wounded Warrior Project invited veterans to help restore the headstones of those who served. The veterans went to work, using a chemical solution known as D/2 to help remove the lichen that has built up over time.
“It’s a fun activity. It’s very contemplative and people are often very curious about who they are cleaning up,” Weir says.
Among those who lent a hand is Air Force veteran Kristie Keppel, who said these types of activities give her a sense of purpose.
“I think people today need to know that they are needed and that they can donate some of their time to a good cause like this,” Keppel said.
It’s all in an effort to restore history while paying respect to Minnesota’s storied past.
“It feels like you’re respecting someone who maybe hasn’t gotten the care and attention they needed for a while,” Weir said.
