MORRISON — Members of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4756 in Linn spent Saturday morning clearing brush, moving debris, and making improvements at Clary Cemetery as part of the organization’s annual Day of Service.

Volunteers met on May 2 at St. James United Church of Christ in Morrison before traveling to the rural cemetery, where they worked in teams to remove overgrowth, clean up the grounds, and address long-standing maintenance needs.

The effort is part of a nationwide initiative by the VFW encouraging posts to serve their communities through hands-on projects.

Kenny Hackmann, a member of the cemetery board, said the work is about more than appearances. “Every stone in there, if you dig deep enough, there’s a story,” he said. “And most of them will never be known.”

Clary Cemetery contains dozens of graves, including those of military veterans, some dating back to the Civil War era. Over time, weather, vegetation, and limited records have made preservation a challenge.

Saturday’s work focused heavily on clearing invasive growth and opening up areas that had been difficult to access. Volunteers also assisted with ongoing efforts to improve the cemetery’s infrastructure, including future plans for fencing and a new entrance.

Volunteers from VFW Post 4756 included Commander Danny Schaefer, Bob Walling, Patrick Muenks, Scott Dawley, Stephen Otten, Justin Neihart, Julia Jaegers, and Gene Weinkien. Youth volunteers included J.J. Neihart, Henry and Eloise Jaegers, and Eugene Otten.

Hackmann expressed appreciation for the community support that made the work possible, including equipment donations that helped tackle heavier tasks.

He specifically thanked Rosebud Tractor for providing a skid steer on multiple occasions, as well as the VFW volunteers who contributed their time and labor.

The cleanup is part of a broader, ongoing effort by the cemetery board and local volunteers to preserve the site and ensure it remains accessible and respectful for future generations.

For those wishing to make donations to the restoration fund, checks may be mailed to Clary Cemetery at St. James UCC, 690 Hwy. 100, Morrison, Mo., 65061. All money collected will be used strictly for the restoration and upkeep of the Clary Cemetery.