Ripley, Illinois. In the small cemetery located along U.S. 24 on the south side of Ripley, members of the Cemetery Board have accomplished their objective of paying tribute to war veterans who have been laid to rest there.
The first goal was to have a new U.S. flag and a military flag holder at each veteran grave place by the time of the Memorial Day service.
With financial contributions from the public, the committee bought flag holders and flags for about 125 known military graves, keeping a dozen excess in storage for later use. This objective was reached sooner than anticipated thanks to two larger donations, and they were in place for this spring’s Memorial Day events.
Approximately 10% of the total number of burials in the Ripley Cemetery are from the military. The number has increased throughout the years, beginning with the grave of a War of 1812 veteran and other graves of Civil War warriors. Up to the Persian Gulf combat, this little rural cemetery served as a memorial for combat victims. It is the final resting place of John Walter Scott, one of the two recent Brown County troops killed in the Vietnam War. This cemetery contains members of several Brown County families from several generations who served in various conflicts.
Ten flagpoles and flags that were recently constructed to round the western boundary of the cemetery were purchased by the Ripley Cemetery Board thanks to donations. Families that are represented in the cemetery fund each flag.
Due to their lack of other sources of money, the Cemetery Board relies on donations to assist maintain the cemetery, which has about 1,100 gravesites. Marianne Edlin, 15545 Town Branch Road, Rushville, Ill., 62681, is the mailing address for donations.
