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While most kids his age would likely spend a Saturday morning sleeping in, teenager Josh Bourbon had a better idea – honoring soldiers from his area’s Civil War past.
Honoring the Past
Bourbon, a life scout with Troop 32 in West Dundee, Illinois, spent the Saturday morning of Oct. 18 scraping off peat moss and the other blemishes from headstones that date back more than a century. With a pack of volunteers, Bourbon led a cleanup crew that brought a little more shine and honor to Union soldiers buried in the Dundee Township Cemetery.
To help complete his project, Bourbon received sponsorship from the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, Gen. Philip H. Sheridan, Camp No. 2, an organization in Aurora, Illinois, along with West Dundee’s VFW Post 2298 and the Three Fires Council in St. Charles, Illinois.
While Bourbon came up with the idea to clean the veteran headstones, he still needed approval from local organizations. When he approached Dundee Township and the Dundee Township Historical Society about his plans, both entities were on board, giving the green light for the restoration project.
No Easy Task
Despite being enthusiastic about the work, Bourbon realized scraping nature’s mold off aged and weather-worn headstones wouldn’t be an easy task. Bourbon and his volunteers grabbed bottles of D/2 Biological Solution, used by the U.S. government to clean historic buildings and national monuments, and started spraying. The solution is so potent that it’s used to wash away grime from headstones at Arlington National Cemetery.
The cleaning solution can eliminate lichen and algae, illuminating headstones without inflicting damage to the structures. Bourbon was pleased to see the D/2 Biological Solution work well enough to restore much of the stones’ luster. He believes it will protect the gravesites for years in the future.
“This cemetery is really close to home,” Bourbon said. “I wanted to honor those who preserved our nation by cleaning the monument and their Civil War headstones, and I wanted to help out my community.”
Remember Their Sacrifices
Along with about 15 volunteers, Bourbon logged more than four hours in the cemetery, meticulously cleaning each headstone belonging to a Civil War veteran. Most of these Union soldiers likely no longer have family ties with West Dundee, so having people visit the gravesites is unlikely. They’ve been largely forgotten with time.
Bourbon didn’t forget.
His project restores a slice of dignity to these Union soldiers that he hopes will last for decades to come.
Matt Clark, from the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, said it’s heartwarming to see this type of dedication from a young volunteer.
“We appreciate Josh and his efforts to remember those who died in battle to reunite the country at a time of great divide,” Clark said. “We’re grateful for all his volunteers and the meaningful work they accomplished.”
For Bourbon, the restoration project is another key element toward earning the Eagle Scout badge, the highest rank in scouting. But perhaps more importantly, the work helps connect the present with the past, teaching a new generation about the sacrifices veterans made to preserve the nation more than 160 years ago.
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17 Comments
Josh’s project is not only a great way to honor the Civil War veterans but also a valuable learning experience for him and his volunteers, they get to learn about history and community service.
It’s concerning that the headstones were in such a state of disrepair, with peat moss and other blemishes, it’s good that Josh and his volunteers took the initiative to clean them up.
The use of D/2 Biological Solution to clean the headstones is a great idea, it’s good to know that it’s a potent solution used by the U.S. government to clean historic buildings and national monuments.
The fact that the cleaning solution can eliminate lichen and algae without inflicting damage to the structures is a significant advantage, it will help to protect the gravesites for years to come.
I’m skeptical about the long-term effectiveness of the D/2 Biological Solution, has it been tested on headstones of similar age and material to those in the Dundee Township Cemetery?
I’m curious to know more about the process of getting approval from local organizations for the restoration project, did Josh face any challenges or was it a smooth process?
It’s sad that most of the Union soldiers buried in the cemetery no longer have family ties with West Dundee, but Josh’s project helps to restore dignity to their gravesites.
I agree, and it’s heartwarming to see young people like Josh taking an interest in preserving history and honoring those who came before us.
The quote from Matt Clark, from the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, highlights the importance of remembering those who died in battle to reunite the country, it’s a powerful message.
Yes, and it’s a reminder that we should always appreciate the sacrifices made by those who fought for our freedom and unity.
I’m excited to see the impact of Josh’s project on the community, will it inspire others to get involved in similar restoration projects or historical preservation efforts?
It’s great to see organizations like the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War and the Three Fires Council supporting Josh’s project, it’s a good example of community involvement and teamwork.
I’m impressed that Josh Bourbon spent over four hours cleaning the headstones of Civil War veterans in the Dundee Township Cemetery, it’s a great way to honor those who preserved our nation.
Yes, and it’s even more remarkable that he had the support of organizations like the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War and the VFW Post 2298.
The use of D/2 Biological Solution is a great example of how technology and innovation can be used to preserve history and cultural heritage, it’s a valuable tool for restoration projects.
The fact that Josh is a life scout with Troop 32 in West Dundee, Illinois, and that his project is part of his Eagle Scout requirements, shows that he is committed to making a positive difference in his community.
I’m impressed by Josh’s dedication to the project, he not only came up with the idea but also saw it through to completion, it’s a great example of leadership and perseverance.