Ela Township Cemetery Hosts Veterans Day Memorial

The public is invited to attend a Military Memorial dedication, at 1 p.m., Saturday, Nov 10, at Fairfield Cemetery located one block south of Old McHenry Road on Fairfield Road in Hawthorn Woods

Ela Township’s Fairfield Cemetery is dedicating bronze plaques recognizing those who served in the military. The commemoration coincides with the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812 and Veterans Day. Two veterans of that war, John J. Brockway and Captain Luther Turner, are among the 25 Veterans buried in the Township’s 1853 one-acre cemetery.

In addition, existing, but degraded tombstones will display Bronze medallions bearing the name and service affiliation of nine Civil war veterans, Luther Turner, and Mexican/American war veteran, Luther Turner Jr. The unmarked graves of John Brockway and Civil War veteran, John Kruse have received full sized bronze military markers.

Family, neighbors, friends, honored guests are invited to gather around the new flagpole at 1 p.m. The plaque, medallions, grave markers will be dedicated at the ceremony which will include an honor guard, taps, the raising of the Stars and Stripes, and a military salute. Each name will be read and a bell rung. John Barrington, American Legion commander will lead in the saying of the pledge of allegiance. Navy Lt. Commander Michael Favata will be the featured speaker followed by comments from Ela Township Supervisor Lucy Prouty and Commander Barrington.

Parking is a problem at the cemetery. A few cars may park on the wide shoulders on both sides. Parking signs and electric signboards will guide the way. Arrangements have been made to use the Quentin Road Bible Baptist Church parking lot, which is one block south of Fairfield cemetery on Quentin Road. A Township bus will shuttle guests to and from the cemetery.

The following is the list of veteran burials at Fairfield Cemetery. They are: 
War of 1812 – John Brockway, Luther Turner; Mexican American War – Luther Turner Jr.; Civil War, James Millard, John Cruver, John Kruse, Hamden and Harrison Huntington, Charles Phillips, Edwin Bartels, Peter Steffens, Anson Packard; WW I –Edward Krueger, Armon Crawford, Frank Stoerp, Gustav Stoerp, William Ernsting; WW II – John Blackwell, John Perkins, Harold Cooley, Ralph Bederske, John Bederske, Korean War – James Lukenbill, Dwayne Maether.