Civil War soldier resumes duty at cemetery

Proud descendants of Civil War veterans stood at attention in uniform under cloudy, gray skies Thursday as the 113-year-old Civil War statue was officially rededicated at Lone Mountain Cemetery.

More than 100 people listened to speeches and eagerly awaited the unveiling of the statue.

"It's great to see all the hard work put into this project finally be done," said Dave Stultz, cemetery sexton. "We thought it was a dead duck, then the city allocated the remaining funds. It's just great."

The statue returned Wednesday from refurbishing work in Cincinnati by Mercene Karkadoulias' Bronze Art. The cost of refurbishing was $82,000. Karkadoulias removed a bullet casing from the statue and returned it to Stultz as a souvenir.

Cemetery Historian Cindy Southerland wrote the original grant request more than four years ago and was delighted to see her hard work come to fruition.

"It's so rewarding to see what you've worked so hard on - your time and energy. This is like a dream come true.

"We have to remember without our history, we have no past. It's too easy to forget our past and heritage in this fast-paced world."

Southerland and Stultz put together, on behalf of the city, several items of interest for a time capsule placed inside the statue Wednesday afternoon. The Grand American Republic also placed a capsule, which included a roster of all Civil War veterans buried at Lone Mountain Cemetery, as well as a current camp roster.

Paul Washeleski, camp commander of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, Grand American Republic, Camp Carlin No. 25, gives much of the credit for funding for the project to Mayor Ray Masayko.

"I felt it important for Carson City that we, the representatives of its citizens, step forward and fund the completion of this project," said Masayko. "It's an exciting day for Carson City and an exciting day for veterans."

"I totally dig history so this is a cool thing to see," said Julie Thuemler of Stagecoach.

"I love it," said Lee Ann Mendenhall, also of Stagecoach.

Mendenhall's daughter, Kristina, and Thuemler's daughter, Melissa, are members of the U.S. Naval Sea Cadets Corps, Carson City Division. The cadets were part of the presentation ceremony.

Masayko mentioned the recent recognition of the V&T Locomotive No. 27 being named Wednesday to the National Register of Historic Places. He promised to nominate the Civil War monument at Lone Mountain Cemetery as a candidate for placement.

More than 80 Civil War veterans have been buried at Lone Mountain Cemetery. Eighty-one are documented - several others buried there are not verified because of incomplete records.

Contact Rhonda Costa-Landers at rcosta-landers@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1223.