Written by Michael Larson
There will be a dedication program at Crystal Lake Cemetery on May 24 at about 10 a.m. Civil War re-enactors, historical figures and other speakers will be featured, along with veterans from local posts.
The dedication program is to celebrate brand new Civil War markers for 2024 and 2025. The total number of markers will be 22-30. Some burial plots were not marked, several were broken over the decades, others were noted to acknowledge the service of those buried all around the cemetery.
The veteran’s organization, Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War did the research needed, ordered the markers from the Veterans Administration and funded the expense of the installation.
Crystal Lake Cemetery management and staff were enthusiastic supporters of the effort.
Although the war ended 160 years ago, the honor these soldiers earned will be enhanced by these new remembrance markers.
Note: The attached cemetery map shows the marker locations in 2024, with more that may be installed by the time of the program on May 24.