Geoff Logue, a veteran of the war in Afghanistan, with his service dog Luna, and long-time friend Derek Kliever, are cleaning veteran tombstones at the Virden Cemetery.
Logue previously visited the cemetery as a place of peaceful reflection, and noticed how neglected the tombstones were. He and his friend Kliever decided to take the initiative, buying tile and granite cleaners, and scrub brushes. They have spent days scrubbing rust and algae growth from veteran tombstones. They even purchased and put up lights, and a Canada flag at the veteran cenotaph, all at their own expense and time. “There are many days of cleaning ahead, but the cavalry is coming and will get to all of you,” mentioned Logue and Kliever.
Logue wonders why some veterans received flat tombstones instead of the normal standing tombstone. One of the flat grave markers even appears to have been damaged by a snow blower.
“The tombstones are filthy, you can’t see the writing on them, and they’re covered with rust and algae growth,” says Logue, “I take pride in doing this up-keep, it’s a matter of respect for my fallen comrades in arms; to preserve their history and remember the sacrifices they made.”
Logue and Kliever talked to the cemetery caretaker about the headstone conditions, and were told that he has to have permission from the Legion, Veteran’s Affairs Canada, and extended family before he can do anything with veteran tombstones. “It should be acknowledged that the caretakers of the cemetery have a tremendous responsibility to keep the cemetery properly maintained, and they do an incredible job considering the size of the cemetery, and only so many hours in a day,” says Logue. He added that the caretakers have a pressure washer which they are letting Logue and Kliever use.
“Veterans are a brotherhood, and it’s great to see them taking care of their own,” says Curtis Smith, Legion President, “That is what the Legion is all about.”
Mark Lescoutre, Veteran Affairs Media Relations, emailed the following when contacted: “Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) is responsible for the proper care and maintenance of all graves and grave markers that were provided and installed by the Government of Canada. On behalf of the Government of Canada, the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) cares for the graves of 110,355 Canadian men and women who died during the First and Second World Wars. Those who died while serving the military of a Commonwealth nation during the periods of First World War – Aug. 4, 1914 to Aug. 31, 1921; Second World War – Sept. 3, 1939 to Dec.31, 1947 are considered war dead and are the responsibility of the CWGC.”
