Memorial Day flag placement and vandalism at Lakeview Cemetery and ongoing work for a dedication of a park bench were all among the top items discussed recently by Jamestown’s Veteran’s Commission.

The meeting was held at the beginning of January, and commission chairman Keith Ecklund spoke briefly with the Post-Journal on these three specific topics that the commission is focusing on for the near future.

“Placing flags on veterans’ graves at Lake View Cemetery for Memorial Day is a significant undertaking,” Ecklund said. “With more than 4,000 veterans’ graves, volunteers last May completed the work in two phases first installing metal stakes with colored flags to accurately identify each grave, then returning to place the flags ahead of Memorial Day. This preparation ensured every veteran was honored respectfully and that Memorial Day observances are conducted with the dignity they deserve.”

This year, Ecklund said, ahead of the winter season volunteers placed orange marker sticks throughout the cemetery to identify veterans’ graves as preparations for this year. He said these markers are essential for organizing the flag placement for this year’s Memorial Day, and the Commission respectfully asks the public not to remove or disturb them.

“Volunteers who would like to assist with flag placement in May are encouraged to watch for announcements with details closer to Memorial Day,” Ecklund said. “Their participation is essential to honoring our veterans and ensuring the observances are carried out with care and respect.”

The commission is focused on Lakeview Cemetery for another reason at the moment as well, specifically in the area of vandalism. The city has received multiple reports of bronze markers and other items being removed or stolen from gravesites and memorials, not just in Lakeview Cemetery but throughout the city. Specifically, the minutes of the Veteran’s Commission meeting note that people visiting Lakeview Cemetery have been seen removing markers, and flags from grave sites, and members of the city’s homeless population continually vandalize graves by trying to remove attached plaques, etc. to sell. Ecklund will revisit this in the spring to see what can be done to better secure the metal. The agenda also says that people have been seen removing the American flags from gravesites. Newly installed markers were noted to have been helpful in both identifying the graves and for the maintenance in the cemetery as the other veteran markers were not seen and being damaged or destroyed by snowblowers which also caused damage to the cemetery’s equipment.

“These incidents are deeply concerning,” Ecklund said. “The Commission encourages anyone who observes suspicious activity or notices missing items to promptly contact Cemetery staff or the Jamestown Police Department Non-Emergency line. Vigilance from the community helps protect these sacred spaces and ensures that all who are memorialized are treated with the respect they deserve.”

One other large discussion and ongoing work item for the Veteran’s Commission is a Memorial Bench that is set to be put in Veterans Park to honor George Spitale. Spitale served in the U.S. Army with the First Air Cavalry Division from 1966 to 1968, earning two Bronze Stars, and was a lifetime member of Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 865. He also dedicated many years to the City of Jamestown in Public Works, serving more than 20 years as President of Local 418 AFSCME, and held a seat on City Council from 2005 to 2015.

Finding a bench to match the others already in the park is in the works.

“Mrs. Spitale is working with the Parks Department to select a matching bench for Veterans Park,” Ecklund said. “Since the current style of benches is no longer manufactured, a suitable replacement is being sourced. Once installed the bench will serve as a lasting tribute to George Spitale’s contributions to the community, and a memorial plaque will be placed in the gazebo to honor his military service.”