Roundup Veterans Place Flags at Cemetery in Recognition of Those Who Served

On the Friday before Memorial Day, local Veterans, Commander Bill Turner, Quartermaster Ron Carlson, Larry Ross, Richard Poteat, Adjutant Michael Welton, Chaplain Ken Kuhlman, and Shawn Connoway a Veteran visitor from KS, visited the three local Cemeteries to place flags in recognition for those who have served. The flag is placed by the grave about a foot out, then given the hand salute. The day was cloudy and balmy, the grass was as lush as it could be. Them men met at 9 am to begin the recognition memorial. Memorial Day is a day of remembrance all of those who didn't return from service, but generally, we also remember all who served and have passed.

Roundup has three graveyards, the three along Highway 87 South, and one on Highway 12 heading East. Bill Turner mentioned that they look for a service "seal" on the graves. He requested that if anyone knew of a service member that they wanted recognized, to get a seal from the Veterans, and have it placed at the gravesite. They do have trouble distinguishing those who are not marked.

The upkeep of the cemeteries has taken a downturn over the past several years. The Veterans are disappointed that the flagpoles at all three cemeteries on Highway 87 South stood empty of a flag or lights. According to Bill, there had been upkeep from the original Klein Mine business that hired weekly maintenance, and collected data of the three cemeteries. However, because the business was no longer in Montana, over time, they couldn't keep up with hiring and organizing maintenance, and further, they weren't getting all of the new information sent to them. They turned the maintenance of the cemeteries over to the county, and it has not yet succeeded in getting updated on all of the data, or having regular scheduled maintenance. The vets state that there is a board listing everyone buried, but it is not accurate. If you have any information about a loved one buried in the three cemeteries that needs to be updated, please contact the County Clerk and Recorders office.