Special resting place for fallen heroes

By Patricia Nugent

Over 20 years ago, the Knollwood Cemetery board of trustees set aside a small section of land to provide a special resting place for veterans. A flagpole was erected and two small granite columbariums were constructed.

Sales were slow, and the idea waned for a military place of honor.

However, when 9/11 happened, the concept of this section changed dramatically. Flagpoles were installed to display the flags of our military branches—Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force and Coast Guard. The concept of a burial site for fallen heroes began to evolve. Interest in a section devoted to first responders, police, firefighters and military personnel expanded the theme of this area, and it’s now an exceptionally beautiful and popular destination at Knollwood. Slowly the parameters of this area have changed, and it now accepts families of fallen heroes, first responders and military personnel.

Special pricing has been extended to families using this memorial site and it will soon need to be expanded.

This summer, while doing a project involving the fascia of the large mausoleum, the president of Knollwood, Forest Reichert, says he noticed a service detail approach the veteran memorial section. Under a hot sun, an honor guard of six U.S. Marines positioned themselves to perform a tribute to a fallen hero of Northern Ohio.

“In their blue jackets and white trousers, these personnel on command executed a touching tribute to the deceased,” he says. “With our armed services flags blowing in the breeze, I was proud and pleased to see this service executed to honor a fallen hero of our country.”

Knollwood Cemetery is located at 1678 SOM Center Road, in Mayfield Heights. Call 440-442-2800 to speak to a family services person about this section of the cemetery and learn more by visiting KnollwoodCemetery.net.