Hamilton County Commissioner Todd Portune wants the county to clean up and maintain two cemeteries that are the final resting places for veterans of American conflicts dating back to the Revolutionary War.

        Mr. Portune wants the county to take charge of the “perpetual maintenance and care” of Wesleyan Cemetery in Northside and Hillcrest Cemetery in Anderson Township.

        Both cemeteries have fallen on hard times recently.

        Robert Merkle, president of the corporation that owns the Wesleyan Cemetery, was convicted in June of theft and failure to maintain an endowment care fund and has been sentenced to 18 months in prison.

        Wesleyan has more than 17,000 graves with more than 1,000 of them belonging to veterans. Among them is Richard Allison, the country's first Surgeon General.

        Hillcrest Cemetery, final resting place for 1,300 veterans, has suffered because ownership of the site is unclear.

        Mr. Portune says state law obligates the county to maintain veterans' graves, but that it will get plenty of help from the community.

        Officials at Cincinnati State University, which offers a cemetery management program, are talking with the county about the possibility of their students helping in the work.

        Mr. Portune said that volunteer efforts to clean up the cemeteries are not a permanent solution and something needs to be done immediately. He said Ohio law allows veterans to petition for removal of fellow servicemen from blighted cemeteries for reinterment at the county's expense.

        “That would be much more expensive than mowing the grass,” Mr. Portune said.

        The county also will get help from the Ohio National Guard, which was authorized by the Department of Defense to assist in the restoration of Hillcrest Cemetery. The DOD was required to approve the Hillcrest restoration before the National Guard could become involved.

        “One of the best ways to honor those who gave their lives for our country is to make sure their final resting places are well maintained,” Rep. Congressman Rob Portman, R-Ohio, said. The National Guard will help with soil erosion problems, road repair and installation of culverts and other repair work.

        Jack Rininger, a retired senior chief petty officer and survivor of the Pearl Harbor attack, said the county should take on the responsibility.

        “Anything we can do to show our respect and gratitude for (veterans) should be done,” Mr. Rininger said.

        Jerry C. Rowland, former commander of VFW Post 10380, said he thinks the county has the manpower and machinery to do the job.

        “I just want to see it taken care of,” said Mr. Rowland, of North Bend. “Those guys gave up part of their lives for everybody's freedom.”

        Mr. Portune said he expects commissioners to discuss his proposal next week.

Suburbs still a magnet for newcomers
House moves to arm airline pilots
Mayor and police chief resign
NKU adopts student honor code
Bastille Day celebrated
Bell has abbreviated dialing
County asked to take charge of two cemeteries
Cul-de-sac lives in fear of floods
Jungle Jim's mug is the real thing
Man charged in downtown thefts
Mayflies eager to try luck in July
Obituary: David J. Workum
One missing, 2 rescued after helicopter crash
Springsteen to play Cincinnati
Tristate A.M. Report
UC pioneers using drug for therapy
HOWARD: Some Good News
PULFER: Risky business
RADEL: Misummer memories
Milford seeks to halt erosion of riverbank
Warren Co. commissioners urged to accept 'Kinship' grant
Four who tried to rescue drowning woman presumed dead
State uncovers $2.5M for more tax auditors
Universities facing more funding cuts
Six subcontractors file liens against Joe's Crab Shack