In late 2023, Save the Graves received a Veterans TOT mini grant to perform several veterans-related cemetery projects in Placerville Union Cemetery.
Veteran’s Memorial Bench
A hand-hewn bench was purchased by Save the Graves and installed by volunteers in a scenic location overlooking the historic GAR area of Union cemetery.
Veteran’s Memorial Rock
A boulder was donated by local veteran leader Kurt Raffetto. Save the Graves volunteers Brian and Lori Veerkamp transported the boulder from the Raffetto Ranch to Union Cemetery and placed it adjacent to the veterans’ bench. Next step: Save the Graves commissioned local stone carver Emerson Green to engrave a simple dedication on the stone: “Honoring the past, present and future contributions of El Dorado County Veterans.”
Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) Interpretive Sign
An informational sign was created and will soon be placed adjacent to the memorial rock and bench. The sign stand was created by the El Dorado High School Metal Shop Class. The sign contains a brief history of the Grand Army of the Republic, or GAR, which was a large and influential fraternal order of Civil War veterans in the late 19th century.
List of Veterans in Union Cemetery
The sign also includes a QR Code which links to a list of all veterans in Union Cemetery, and where they are buried. The list can be found here.
For a slide show, click on one of the pictures below.
