Being a historian and researcher is exciting, offering a chance to share knowledge with others and advance stories of the past. On Saturday, October 7, 2023, I had the opportunity to do just that!
Revolutionary War veteran, Captain James Craig, is buried at a cemetery that had been previously unpreserved. Upon visiting the cemetery in 2022, Captain Craig’s grave marker was illegible, dead trees dotted the cemetery, and vegetation inched ever higher, threatening to overtake headstones if maintenance measures weren’t quickly taken. Luckily, the land owners–who had reached out to me about this cemetery project–were ecstatic at the idea of preserving the grounds. So we created a game plan. While I was reaching out to the detention center that mows burial grounds across my county and filling out the Veterans Affairs grave marker application, they would work on funding and installing fencing around the cemetery’s perimeter. During this time, the landowners were also gracious in donating a cemetery sign.
About a year and a half after that initial meeting, our collective efforts finally came to fruition as we gathered to commemorate Captain Craig’s life, as well as cemetery preservation efforts, in a special ceremony. There were around thirty people in attendance, including myself, the landowners, community members, a state senator, and multiple descendants of the veteran. One of the landowners welcomed attendees to the ceremony, a local chapter’s DAR regent led us in prayer, I read Captain Craig’s biography, the state senator detailed the importance of honoring service members, I shared more about the preservation process, and then the landowners unveiled Captain Craig’s new grave marker. As I look back on the day, I’m still completely awed by how the cemetery now looks, from the gorgeous fencing and sign to Captain Craig’s clean, readable headstone. The entire project serves as a valuable reminder of the positive changes that occur when dedicated volunteers band together to share, save, and support our heritage.
From start to finish, the event was a success. The ceremony allowed descendants of Captain Craig to meet and discuss family history. For those who aren’t related to Captain Craig–myself included–the event was a time to gather with like-minded historians, family history buffs, and preservationists to honor a veteran and reflect on the importance of maintaining burial grounds. But since all of you weren’t able to personally join me during the event, I want to include you virtually. So please scroll through the image gallery below and check out a video of the ceremony. You can also view Captain Craig’s biography at the end of this page. I hope you enjoy the content I’ve shared and this serves as a reminder of the importance of preserving the past, in the present, for the future.
Keep the History Alive!
Event Photographs:
The sign directing traffic for the event. 
Light refreshments were served, plus programs were given to attendees. 
The podium and flags, prior to the event. 
Captain Craig’s headstone, prior to being unveiled. 
Dr. Tom Maddox, one of the landowners, gives a welcome to attendees. 
Karon Brown, a DAR regent, reads from the 91st Psalm and prays. 
Kassidy Cobb shares Captain Craig’s biography, as well as information on the preservation process. 
Senator Whitney Westerfield relays the importance of remembering and honoring America’s veterans. 
The landowners unveil Captain Craig’s new headstone. 
Descendants pose for a group photo with their ancestor’s new grave marker. 
Captain Craig’s new headstone, completely unveiled. 
Captain craig’s original grave marker. 
Craig Cemetery’s new sign and fencing.
Watch the event video by heading here.
Captain James Craig’s Biography:
