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College to honor veterans buried in the Poorhouse Cemetery

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The Fine Arts Committee and The Art Club of West Virginia University at Parkersburg in October held the third annual Poorhouse Cemetery Clean-up. Members of the clubs and the college will hold a ceremony at 12:30 p.m. Nov. 10 at the Poorhouse Cemetery to honor veterans. From left, front row, Lauri Reidmiller, Isabella Reidmiller, Ashley Smith, Oliver Smith, Jasmine Roberts and Scott Rogers. Back row, Matthew Stuckert, Kage Mathess, Elijah Thomas, Wesly McCune, Max Habeb, L.V. Hissem. (File Photo)

PARKERSBURG -- West Virginia University at Parkersburg will honor Veterans Day and veterans buried at the Poorhouse Cemetery.

Volunteers from the WVU-P Arts Club, Veterans Corps and the college will gather at 12:30 p.m. Nov. 10 at the Poorhouse Cemetery adjacent to the college where veterans are interred. Some tombstones have Army, Navy or Marine Corps seals and emblems but do not indicate in which wars the veterans served.

"Honoring these veterans is the least we can do. They gave us so much; it is only proper that we remember their sacrifices," said Darren Shearlock, WVU-P veterans advocate. "As a society, if we fail to honor those that have sacrificed for us, we may find ourselves without people willing to do so if we are in need in the future."

American flags will become permanent fixtures on 17 graves. More veterans may be buried in the cemetery, but there are no indicators on their tombstones.

"Learning about the veterans buried at the Wood County Poorhouse Cemetery allows us to deepen our understanding and appreciation of those who fought for our freedom," said Lauri Reidmiller, an art professor and Art Club adviser.

David Chandler, veteran and WVU-P student, was a volunteer during the last Veterans Day event. Chandler served from 1990 to 2014 in the United States Army.

"Veterans Day has a special importance to me as it is a time for me to remember those friends and soldiers I have had the privilege and honor to serve with," Chandler said.

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