Category: Veterans

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Explore Our New Digital Veteran Memorials

Last November, we embarked on a mission close to our hearts: to honor our veterans with the dignity and recognition they deserve. Our journey began with the commemoration of six veterans whose stories had long been buried in the Milwaukee County Grounds Cemeteries, where neglect and anonymity often overshadowed their contributions. Through tireless research and collaboration with local historians and genealogists, we unearthed the remarkable tales of these overlooked heroes, spanning from the Civil War to the Spanish American War.

Today, we are excited to introduce our latest endeavor: our new digital veteran memorials. These memorials stand as a dynamic tribute, inviting visitors to delve into the lives of these veterans in a personal way. Users can connect with these forgotten heroes, gaining insight into their military service, personal struggles, and unwavering courage.

However, our mission is far from complete, and we need your help to continue our efforts. We are calling on individuals who share our passion for honoring veterans to join our veteran project research team. Whether you’re an experienced genealogist or new to the field, your contribution is invaluable. Training will be provided for those who are new to genealogy, and together, we will recognize the heroic soldiers who remain hidden at County Grounds. Please contact us to be connected with our genealogical team.

Additionally, as a nonprofit organization, we rely on the generosity of donors like you to sustain our work. Your donation will enable us to fund genealogical subscriptions and pension files required for ongoing research and outreach efforts, ensuring that the legacies of these overlooked veterans are preserved for future generations.

With your support, we can shine a spotlight on these forgotten heroes, ensuring that their sacrifices and contributions to our nation are never overlooked or forgotten. Together, let’s give these veterans the recognition they deserve and ensure that their stories are told for years to come.

Thank you for your unwavering support.

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Descendant Community to Oversee Reburial of 831 Ancestors

In April 2024, the Descendant Community of Milwaukee County Grounds Cemeteries, Inc. was awarded the responsibility for the dignified reburial of 831 ancestors exhumed from the Milwaukee County Grounds Cemetery 2 in 2013. While a small DNA research project was proposed, the Wisconsin Historical Society (WHS) determined it was not appropriate for this disposition.

Following a review process, WHS Director Christian W. Øverland finalized the decision on September 9, 2024. The remains will be transferred to Forest Home Cemetery & Arboretum, with reburials starting as early as November 8, 2024, and concluding by September 2025.

With this celebratory news, we conclusively share:

  • Our descendant community’s voice has been recognized!
  • We received the award for dignified reburial.
  • The remains will no longer be used for research but will be laid to rest at Forest Home Cemetery.
  • There will be a memorial/monument at the new burial site.
  • Froedtert Hospital, as the disturbing entity, must pay the cost associated with the dignified reburial, including a marker to honor the reinterred individuals.
  • The award includes a 1-year interment plan, providing quick resolution (not a drawn-out process).
  • This dignified reburial disposition may create a future pathway for other County Grounds burials beyond this specific award.
A grass field with trees and a storage shed in the background.
Section of Forest Home Cemetery & Arboretum which will be the reburial ground of 831 ancestors disinterred in 2013 from Cemetery 2

Support Our Efforts and Future Projects

In addition to this good news, our researchers have also identified three more veterans previously unrecognized for their service. Due to our focus on the reburials, we will not hold a Veterans Day event this year, but we look forward to honoring these veterans with you in 2025.

While Froedtert Hospital is covering the costs of the reburial, we rely on the generosity of the community to fund essential overhead and future initiatives, including the Veterans Day event in 2025. Your donations are crucial to help us preserve the memory of those buried at Milwaukee County Grounds Cemeteries and to support our ongoing efforts, including the recognition of these veterans and the creation of memorials.

Please consider making a donation to support the Descendant Community’s mission. Every contribution—no matter the size—helps us honor our ancestors and ensure the success of future projects.

Explore our updated website to donate, learn more about our projects, check out our publications, find answers in our FAQs about the reburial project, and more.

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Memorial Service Planned for Veterans Day

This Veterans Day, join the Descendant Community of Milwaukee County Grounds Cemeteries and our collaborative partners at Milwaukee County Grounds Park to remember our soldiers. This 1.5 hour-long ceremony will take place start at 11am in Cemetery 3 (just north of Bright Horizons at Watertown Plank Rd & 87th St), and is dedicated to paying tribute to these heroes who passed a century ago and were laid to rest at County Grounds.

An annotated satellite image of the the county grounds. Arrows of of Watertown Plan Road on 87th Street lead north to the cemetery. To the southeast of cemetery is marked, "temporary off-street parking". North on 97th Street off of Watertown Plank Road is marked a parking lot. A roadway connects the parking lot to the cemetery.

With care and respect, we will reflect on each soldier’s legacy, ensuring they receive the recognition they deserve.

Event Highlights and an overwhelming thank you shared with:

  • Grand Army of the Republic’s 1917 Headstone Rededication Service
  • Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War: Camps 1 & 15, and the Ladies’ Auxiliary
  • Company F 29th US Colored Troops
  • Iron Brigade Guard’s rifle salute
  • The Regimental Volunteer Band
  • Camp 1’s bugler: Bill Seaman
  • Local speakers: Andy Gordon; Shawn Rolland; Rick Flowers; Lee Kelley

Our collaborative partners above also include liaisons of Milwaukee County, their Parks Department, Department of Veteran Affairs, Wenta Monument, and the Greater Milwaukee Fire and Police Pipes and Drums. Each have made this event possible.

In case of good weather, bagpiper Tom McKale will conclude the program. This event will proceed regardless of weather conditions, and everyone is welcome. There are no bathrooms on site.

Please bring a lawn chair and join us in commemorating these courageous soldiers.

Your presence and support this Veterans Day are essential in ensuring that the sacrifices of our veterans are remembered and honored.

A printed flyer is available for the event.

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Six Applications for Headstones Submitted to Veterans Administration

With the help of our steadfast genealogists, this past summer six applications were submitted to Milwaukee County’s VA Service Officer for recognition headstones. The county provides these headstones as a benefit to our veterans who served honorably.

If all goes as our community hopes, five Civil War soldiers and one Spanish-American War soldier, will receive their long-awaited—and well-deserved—recognition headstones set in place at Cemetery 3. Most of these soldiers were buried over 100 years ago, and it is far time for their efforts to be properly recognized.

As the veteran headstone of Hermann Borghardt, a Civil War soldier, is already situated in Cemetery 3, the most respectful and honorable choice is to have the headstones of these brave soldiers installed nearby. This arrangement allows for a dignified gathering of soldier brothers from different eras, fostering a sense of unity and recognition.

Thank you for your service, gentlemen!

And thank you to our hard-working genealogists!