A special ceremony was held Saturday, to honor World War I veterans who until now were buried in unmarked graves.
The ceremony was prompted by the Roselawn Foundation of Pueblo, when it was conducting research to participate in the 2017 WWI Commemoration. 150 veteran graves were accounted for, but when that number was compared to library records, it was discovered 12 veterans were in unmarked graves.
According to Lucille Corsentino, President of the Roselawn Foundation, they were able to obtain nine of the veteran’s records through the Veterans Administration, but were unable to provide proof of service for the remaining three.
This is where the public stepped in and helped raise nearly $4,700 within four days to establish the proof of service needed. Corsentino explained that the foundation’s philosophy is that no one will be forgotten, especially veterans.
The ceremony was held at the Roselawn Cemetery Saturday afternoon, where military veterans, community members, and more showed up to honor the 12 who served to preserve and protect our freedom.
"I’m very very touched, very very touched, this just shows that Pueblo is the home of heroes and you can see by the attendance today we’ve had a lot of support," Corsentino said.
"One can tell the morals of a culture by the way they treat their dead."
One of the guest speakers, retired Brigadier General Paul May of the U.S. Air Force said he chose Roselawn as the cathedral where he will be laid to rest with his fellow warriors.
