Ohio Woman Honors Veterans by Locating and Marking Unmarked Graves
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Christine Untrauer, from Portage County, Ohio, has taken on a noble mission to ensure that every veteran is remembered and honoured for their service. Untrauer’s dedication involves searching cemeteries to locate unmarked graves of veterans, who have sacrificed their lives for their country but did not receive proper recognition in the form of a grave marker. Her efforts also include raising funds to install markers for these forgotten heroes.
A personal connection to military service drives Untrauer’s passion for this cause. Her father, Norbert Freund, served in World War II aboard the USS Topeka, and her husband spent 20 years in the Air Force. Untrauer considers this mission a “calling” and believes that no veteran should ever rest in an unmarked grave, as she expressed to ABC affiliate WEWS.
Within Maple Grove Cemetery in Ravenna, Untrauer has identified 49 veterans, with four of them laid to rest in the “potter’s field.” This area of the cemetery, known for accommodating individuals who were travelling or lacked the resources for a proper burial, holds 130 individuals. Untrauer informed local Fox affiliate WJW that while Veterans Affairs provides markers at no cost with proper documentation, a small fee is required for installation, which she covers to honour these veterans.
One poignant case of Untrauer’s impact includes the story of Willie Ross Dennis, a Vietnam veteran who passed away at the age of 21. Due to the circumstances of his burial in a private cemetery, he did not receive a marker at the time. Through collaboration with the Ravenna American Legion Post, Untrauer obtained a Veterans Affairs grave marker for Dennis and orchestrated a dedication ceremony to honour his service.
Expanding her mission, Untrauer is now searching the remaining 29 cemeteries in Portage County through the Veterans Marker Project. Mark Gabriel, superintendent of Maple Grove cemetery, whose ancestor fought in the Civil War and rests in a marked grave on the premises, commended Untrauer for her dedicated efforts. He expressed his joy in witnessing these veterans finally receive the recognition they deserve through the installation of grave markers.
Despite the challenges and costs involved, Untrauer remains committed to her cause, driven by a deep sense of respect and gratitude for the sacrifices made by veterans. Her project not only serves to honour individual veterans but also to remind the community of the importance of acknowledging and remembering the service of those who have defended their country.
The touching work of Christine Untrauer exemplifies the power of one individual’s determination and compassion to make a significant difference in the lives and legacies of those who have served their nation. Her selfless efforts stand as a poignant tribute to the enduring spirit of service and sacrifice displayed by veterans throughout history.