In a quiet corner of Ravenna, Ohio, one woman has taken on a mission to ensure that those who served their country are not forgotten. Christine Untrauer, while researching gravesites at Maple Grove Cemetery, discovered a photograph of 21-year-old Willie Ross Dennis. Dressed in military uniform, Dennis had served in South Vietnam and died in January 1968—just a month after arriving. What struck Untrauer most was that his grave, like those of his parents and brothers, had remained unmarked for nearly 57 years.

Untrauer’s discovery sparked what has become a deeply personal and expansive project. She learned that at the time of Dennis’s death, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs did not automatically provide grave markers for veterans buried in private cemeteries. Military cemeteries offered such recognition, but private ones did not. Maple Grove Cemetery, though the final resting place for many who served, fell into the latter category.

Determined to honor Dennis’s sacrifice, Untrauer gathered the necessary documents and raised funds to secure a Veterans Affairs grave marker and have it installed. “I didn’t know him,” she told FOX 8 News, “but it’s the emotion of finally realizing he won’t be forgotten.”

Her work didn’t stop there. During her research, Untrauer identified at least 49 other veterans buried without markers in the same cemetery. Among them are individuals who served in the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, the Civil War, and more recent conflicts. One story that stood out to her was that of a trumpeter who led troops into battle and died after his service. His grave, like many others, remains unmarked.

Some of these veterans are buried in an area of Maple Grove known as the “potter’s field,” a section reserved historically for those without means or family. Over the years, it became the final resting place for travelers who died passing through town, as well as local residents who could not afford formal burials. In some cases, the deceased may have been buried in little more than burlap. Determining the exact location of each veteran’s grave in this area may be impossible, but Untrauer believes that symbolic markers can still serve as a powerful tribute to their service.

Untrauer’s commitment has grown into what she now calls the Veterans Marker Project. Her goal is to identify and mark the graves of veterans not only at Maple Grove but across all 29 cemeteries in Portage County. With the right paperwork, the Department of Veterans Affairs provides the markers at no cost. However, cemeteries often charge fees for installation—fees that can prevent families from completing the process. “I don’t want the families to pay for those,” Untrauer explained. “I don’t want them to sit in a building and wait until somebody comes to pay for them.”

To address this, she partnered with Elks Lodge No. 1076 to create a dedicated fund. Every dollar contributed goes directly toward the installation of veterans’ grave markers. A previous fundraiser raised enough to install over 40 markers, and two more have already been delivered to Maple Grove Cemetery. The next event, scheduled for May 3, aims to raise funds for dozens more.

Untrauer is also extending her reach beyond Portage County. She hopes to eventually bring the Veterans Marker Project to cemeteries across the country. For those unable to attend the upcoming fundraiser, she is accepting contributions via email at chris.freund62@gmail.com.

What began as a simple act of research has grown into a meaningful effort to restore dignity and recognition to those who served. “The main reason for this is the fact that they died for our country,” Untrauer said. “They served our country, they signed a blank check for our country. And if we owe them nothing more, we owe them a debt of gratitude, and to mark their final resting place so they will be remembered forever.”

The story of Christine Untrauer and the Veterans Marker Project resonates far beyond Ravenna. It’s a reminder of the quiet sacrifices made by those who served and the enduring power of individual action to honor memory and service. For anyone interested in supporting the effort to provide grave markers for unmarked veteran graves, every contribution brings these forgotten heroes one step closer to the recognition they deserve.

Read more at fox8.com