To the editor,

While visiting the graves of his parents recently, retired Vietnam veteran Frank Smith of West Wareham noticed that the veteran’s area of Center Cemetery in Wareham was in need of some tender loving care.

Having worked at the National Cemetery at Otis, Frank has had some experience in grave site maintenance.  He approached the town and asked permission to implement his plan to beautify the area.  Over the course of a week, headstones were raised and pressure washed, the area was mowed and trimmed, loam and grass seed were added as needed, and finally the flag pole was painted.  As a finishing touch, twenty-five American flags were purchased for placement on the headstones. 

Frank has been returning to the cemetery periodically with his garden hose to water the new grass seed.  At this writing, the new grass has sprouted and has filled in nicely. 

As a Life Member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Marion Post #2425 and a Life Member of Disabled American Veterans New Bedford Post #7, Frank felt a sense of honor to be able to enhance the final resting place for veterans and their spouses.  Frank would like to thank Wareham mason Ted Mathews for his assistance and for lending the necessary tools that were used to raise the headstones.  Semper Fi

Jean Smith