SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) - Formerly unmarked graves of Civil War veterans have received new white tombstones at a cemetery in western Iowa.
Twenty men buried in the Grand Army of the Republic section of the Floyd Cemetery in Sioux City were recently identified after city staff did some research, the Sioux City Journal (https://bit.ly/2rQq2rw ) reported.
The city’s cemeteries supervisor, Tim Tushla, said the new tombstones are good progress, but there are still empty spots in the cemetery that could be more unidentified soldiers.
“I think there probably are because there are still gaps there, but we filled 20 of those gaps,” Tushla said. “It looks more complete now.”
The installation of the new tombstones is part of a larger effort to update the cemetery, which hasn’t had major improvements since 1904, Tushla said. Old trees have been removed, old concrete is being replaced, and older gravestones are being repaired. There are also plans to install a metal arc with the words “Grand Army of the Republic” over the section’s entrance.
Students from West High School have researched the men buried there to try and find more information about them. Tushla said he hopes relatives of veterans will come forward with more information.
“We’ve already had two people contact us in connection with one of the gentlemen,” Tushla said. “Obviously, we’d like to have more. We’d love to recognize them.”
The graves will be rededicated Saturday during a ceremony with members of Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War dressed in Civil War-era military attire.
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Information from: Sioux City Journal, https://www.siouxcityjournal.com
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