September 11, 2025

Locals volunteer to help clean headstones of fallen military

News 9

By: Cooper Wild

HARSHAW, Wis. (News 9) – Locals gathered at Northwoods National Cemetery for a day of honor and remembrance. They participated in the annual tradition of cleaning gravestones.

Three years ago, the cemetery in Harshaw began this tradition in partnership with ‘Carry the Load‘, a nonprofit organization that helps remember fallen military members. Each year on the anniversary of September 11, volunteers come out to work and pay their respects.

“What somebody intends for evil, God will always use for good. So by having individuals come out here to Northwoods National Cemetery, our Veterans cemetery. To help do some work around here, it ensures some good has come out of that evil act,” Bryon Gleisner, manager of the cemetery and U.S. Air Force veteran, said.

Volunteers cleaned each gravestone by hand, ensuring they were well cared for. One volunteer traveled all the way from Green Bay to participate in the event.

“I’m usually enthusiastic and excited about helping out any Veteran I can, especially when it comes to a cemetery. I feel like it’s a chance for me to actually give back to those who actually lost their lives. It’s a small way I can do something whether it be planting grass seed or cleaning headstones. As soon as I heard about it I jumped on,” Cody Smith, who served active duty in the U.S. Marine Corps, said.

‘Carry the Load’s’ annual Patriot Day event spans the nation, with Northwoods National Cemetery being one of 70 national cemeteries cleaned in honor of September 11th. Gleisner expressed gratitude for the community’s appreciation of the cemetery.

“I think having a Veterans Cemetery here means a lot to the community, and I’ve seen that. I know when they come out they are responding to that call to do something good to honor our Veterans, to honor our First Responders. That’s to me what it’s all about,” Gleisner said.

The event was a mix of emotions for the volunteers, who came to support a noble cause while remembering a tragic day in history.

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Locals volunteer to help clean headstones of fallen military

News 9

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