mybaycity.com May 21, 2009
Community Article 3888

Civil War Heritage of Bay County to Shine in Glorious Memorial Day Event

Volunteers Reset 50 New Headstones of Civil War Vets at Pine Ridge Cemetery

May 21, 2009
By: Dave Rogers


It took the equivalent of several squads of soldiers . . .

Volunteers from Parmenter House of the Michigan Department of Human Services, Work First of Michigan Works, H.R. Doud Division of Sea Scouts from Saginaw, Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War from Mayville, students from Bay Arenac Community and All Saints high schools, the Bay City Garden Club, Friends of Pine Ridge Cemetery, etc. . .

Heavy equipment from Kreager Wrecker Service with driver Chuck Knapp to remove 300 pound stone bases. . .

A lift truck of Wright-Gregory Monument Works and owner Tom Moultane to deliver the new headstones from the U.S. Veterans Administration . . .

Mathematics, surveying and engineering skill . . .

Donations from the Rotary Club of Bay City and individuals and fundraiser proceeds from the 7th Michigan Cavalry Civil War Round Table. . .

Cooperation from the City of Bay City and Hampton Township departments of public works. . .

Surveying and placement of stones by Jim Petrimoulx and Alan Flood and Rick Greene and friends of the Mayville Group . . .

and considerable muscle power.

But it's done in time for ceremonies at noon on Memorial Day, Monday, May 25.

The job was resetting the last 28 of a total of 50 new headstones of Civil War veterans installed at Historic Pine Ridge Cemetery nearly a century and a quarter ago, in 1885.

. . . And reinforcing the base of the Grand Army of the Republic monument;

... And rebuilding the enclosure of a Bay City Rotary Club memorial garden in front of the sign at the gate;

... And rebuilding the base of a replica cannon located at the corner of Tuscola and Ridge roads;

. . . And repainting the flag pole and replacing ropes, jobs done by Steve Dawson with a high-ranger, to handle a huge new flag provided by Alan Flood;

. . . And sprucing up the grounds of the abandoned burial ground, an annual chore focusing on making it presentable for the scores of visitors who expect the place to reflect well on Bay City.

Several historians, including Alan Flood, Marv Kusmierz, Jim Petrimoulx and Dave Rogers, of the Friends of Historic Pine Ridge Cemetery, will conduct walking tours of the cemetery at 11 a.m. on Memorial Day, Monday, May 25.

At noon a cannon will boom under direction of Gene Gillette and bagpiper Dr. Harry Farris will officially open ceremonies.

Tri-City Sweet Adelines Chorus will entertain visitors with patriotic songs.

Mayor Charles Brunner and other officials will be on hand to acknowledge the revival of a historic name in area history, U.S. Grant Camp No. 67.

The name originally was borne by the Grand Army of the Republic, a veterans group following the Civil War.

Now it lives again under the aegis of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War of Saginaw and Bay City.

Members and Civil War re-enactors of LeValley-Heusted Camp No. 255 SUVCW, Mayville, headed by Rick Greene, will be on hand to officially rededicate the cemetery and present Mayor Brunner with information on the SUVCW groups.

A floral tribute will be presented by Jane Neese of Helen M. Edwins Tent No. 30, Daughters of Union Veterans of the Civil War;

A rifle salute will be fired by the combined camp guards of Gov. Crapo Camp No. 145 of Flint and LeValley-Heusted Camp No. 255, Mayville; and

Taps will be played by Robert May of Gov. Crapo Camp.

Parking will be at a premium and the organizers will appreciate anyone who can car pool or leave vehicles on Park Avenue south of Ridge Road and come through an opening in the fence on Ridge across from Bay Monument Co. Volunteers will be on hand to direct vehicles, with preference given to the aged and those who have difficulty walking.

For more information please call Dave or Dolores Rogers, 686-5544.###

Stone mason Ted Anderson puts new enclosure on Rotary Club mini-garden at gate.
(MyBayCity Photo by Dave Rogers)

Alan Flood, left, and Fred Walker guide new Civil War headstones delivered by Wright-Gregory Monument Works.
(MyBayCity Photo by Dave Rogers)

Jim Petrimoulx, left, and Alan Flood confer in process of installing new headstones.
(MyBayCity Photo by Dave Rogers)

Chuck Knapp of Kreager Wrecker Service deposits huge base stones of monuments after removal.
(MyBayCity Photo by Dave Rogers)

Fred Walker and Jim Petrimoulx lower new headstones into ground at Soldiers' Rest.
(MyBayCity Photo by Dave Rogers)

Rick Greene of Mayville SUVCW and associates work with local group to reset headstones.
(MyBayCity Photo by Dave Rogers)

Members of H.R. Doud Division Saginaw Sea Scouts fold huge flag after lowering at dusk.
(MyBayCity Photo by Dave Rogers)

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