DANNEMORA, N.Y. — After discovering a veteran’s grave marker nearly engulfed by sod and moss, Carl Benware made it his personal mission to ensure the preservation of all veteran graves.

“I went home and stewed on it for two days,” Benware said. “(The marker) was one summer away from never being seen again.”

Benware, a five-year-Army veteran himself, wondered how many markers have already disappeared. This thought led him to the idea for his project, Remembering Our Heroes, a challenge for him and the community to restore 500 veterans’ markers by Memorial Day. 

The project kicked off last month when Benware made the project’s Facebook page. He’s had a lot of help, and he’s confident that goal will be reached by sundown tonight, including every veteran’s marker in St. Joseph’s Cemetery in upstate New York, the site that inspired the project.

“I never really thought it would happen, but it went crazy,” he said. “It’s been an emotional trip through time.”

Headstones tell a person’s lifespan, but the veteran’s marker at their feet is a symbol of their status, according to Benware. Some of the deceased veterans don’t have headstones, so the markers are all that signify their place of burial.

“Without that, the world never knows,” Benware said.

Some markers have about 6 inches of solid marble below the ground and can weigh more than 200 pounds, but Benware will take them out and level them off if they need it. He also scrubs the markers with soap and water. According to him, some stones look brand new after a wash and some time in the sun.

Earlier this month, Benware spent a day restoring markers with members of the North Country Veterans Association. He listened to stories about their adventures and struggles — that was his favorite day of the project so far.

“I left humbled and emotional,” he said. “In my mind, veterans are the most wonderful thing in the world.”

Benware’s Facebook page for the project has sparked inspiration in families and individuals throughout New York and from as far away as Tennessee.

Each restored marker is also decorated by a small American flag, which were donated by The American Legion Ladies Auxiliary. Additionally, members of area basketball teams and Girl Scout troops have volunteered to lend a hand.

Research has played a large part in the success of the project, Benware said. Whenever he finds a marker with a military unit number, he researches the unit’s history, battles and its current status.

He also tries to find pictures of the deceased to post and will posts as much of the veteran’s story as he can find.

To him, it’s like bringing them bringing them back to life.

“I don’t plan on stopping; it’s not a once-a-year thing for me. It has brought a lot of joy to my life, and I’m very proud of everybody who’s participated.”

Mashtare writes for the Plattsburgh, New York Press Republican.