Memorial Day, observed the last Monday in May, was originally celebrated to honor Civil War casualties. It has a special significance to members of the Frankfort Illinois Branch as it has become an annual tradition to clean off Civil War-era headstones at The Union Burial Society Cemetery in Frankfort, Illinois.
Historical records indicate that the pre-Civil War cemetery was established prior to the 1855 founding of Frankfort Township. The cemetery features about 35 headstones dated between 1848-1869 in a heavily wooded area.
The site had been neglected for decades until a local volunteer effort began in the late 1990s. In the summer of 1999, the Joliet Illinois Stake youth took on the neglected cemetery as a service project. Since then, members of the Frankfort Branch and community people have continued the effort.
"Our effort each year is to clear out branches and clean up the site after winter so you can see the stones," said Bryan Hunsaker, president of the Frankfort Branch.
The project has become a Memorial Day tradition, as this was the 10th year that the Frankfort Branch has sponsored the event to encourage celebrating the holiday with a few hours of work.
About 40 volunteers turned out on May 25 to help with the maintenance of the cemetery. Volunteers cleaned off headstones, beat back the brush, mowed down weeds and removed felled trees.
"We have been moving the brush back year by year, and as we have done that we have seen more headstones," said Clint Geise of the Frankfort Branch.
The legible headstones have yielded the names of several of Frankfort's earliest settlers. According to the Will County Web site, the cemetery is significant because it is one of very few resources available with the potential to provide information about the early settlement of Frankfort.
The cemetery was designated a Will County Historical Landmark on Nov. 18, 1999.
"It's a nice event," Brother Geise said of the annual project. "It's kind of a fun way to celebrate the holiday."
