Chewelah Pioneer Cemetery Project to Honor Veterans, Local History

A nearly yearlong effort to recognize Chewelah’s history and honor veterans buried at Chewelah Pioneer Cemetery was dedicated on June 12 at Chewelah Pioneer Cemetery. A reception is scheduled to follow at the American Legion, 111 S. Park St. A group of volunteers gathered at the cemetery Sunday, May 31, to complete work on a project that includes a national Pomeroy Foundation historical marker and a Never Forget Garden. The project was organized through a partnership between the Spokane Falls Chapter and Washington State Society Daughters of the American Colonists, VFW Post 2047 and American Legion Post 54 volunteer Sally Paramore, VFW Post 2047, the Jonas Babcock Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, and other community partners. Rae Anna Victor, who helped with the project, said the idea came after she met Paramore and her husband at an Honor Flight homecoming. “I stopped to ask if I could take a photo of their group for them,” Victor said. “We got to talking and we were both very much into community service work. She told me about the cemetery project she was working on.” Victor later contacted Paramore about applying for a Pomeroy Foundation marker and creating a Never Forget Garden at the cemetery. “She was interested, so we worked together to get everything required,” Victor said. The Pomeroy Foundation, based in Syracuse, New York, funds roadside historical markers and plaques across the country. Victor said the marker approved for Chewelah is part of the foundation’s Historic Hometown category. According to Victor, the marker recognizes the cemetery’s first burial, early pioneers and veterans buried at the site. She said the application process required detailed documentation. “One of the biggest hurdles is that the Pomeroy Foundation is very exacting and requires primary source verification on all wording on the marker,” Victor said. Victor handled much of the historical verification, while Paramore worked with city officials on placement approvals and acceptance of the marker. The application process also included submitting a letter of intent, documenting the cemetery’s historical significance, providing GPS coordinates, and securing a city approval letter for the marker’s placement, Victor said. With the marker installed, Chewelah Pioneer Cemetery will also be included in the Historical Marker Database, an online resource that documents historical markers across the country. “It is hoped that the databases will encourage people to visit the cemetery and increase tourism,” Victor said. “It can be a teaching tool for young people.” The second part of the project is the Never Forget Garden, a living memorial created to honor veterans, fallen service members and military families. According to Victor, the national initiative began in 2018 through the Society of the Honor Guard, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, as a way for communities to create visible tributes of remembrance. Victor said the garden is meant to reflect the mission of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier by helping ensure the sacrifices of military members are not forgotten. The marker for the Never Forget Garden was provided by retired Tomb Guard Craig Fallon, who was scheduled to speak at the June 12 dedication. Shirley Stirling, regent of the Washington State Society Daughters of the American Revolution, was expected to attend, and Chewelah Mayor Lindsay Baxter planned to present a proclamation. The Home Depot Foundation helped fund the project through a grant, and members of Team Depot assisted with the work, Victor said. During the dedication, the Jonas Babcock Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution is scheduled to present several national awards to community members for community service, distinguished citizenship, historical preservation and women in the arts. Victor said the chapter will also recognize the City of Chewelah for its promotion of historical preservation.