GREENE COUNTY, Ohio – A dedicated group of six volunteers is working tirelessly to restore the graves of local veterans and community members, ensuring that their stories are never forgotten. This initiative has brought attention to the importance of preserving history and honoring those who have made sacrifices for their country.
Led by Army veteran Brenda Tolle and co-founder Neil Reinsmoen, a retired U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sergeant, the group has cleaned, repaired, and reset hundreds of tombstones across 10 cemeteries in Greene County. Once they complete their work in Stewart Cemetery, they will reach a milestone of restoring 937 graves.
Their efforts involve more than just physical restoration. The team replaces headstones for Revolutionary War veterans, repairs markers damaged by weather and time, and stabilizes broken stones using custom epoxy and braces. This meticulous work ensures that each grave is preserved with care and respect.
Although Ohio was not one of the original 13 colonies and saw few battles during the Revolutionary War, it was the site of Fort Laurens. The fort was besieged in 1779 by the British and their Native American allies, resulting in many lives lost on both sides as they fought for control of the area.
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“Walking among these broken and forgotten stones, I feel the weight of every story lost,” said Tolle. “Each grave deserves to be remembered, and we do this work so their lives are never forgotten.”
The volunteers, who range in age from their 50s to 80s, meet weekly to take on the painstaking work of digging, lifting, repairing, and stabilizing the tombstones. Their commitment reflects a deep sense of duty and respect for those they are honoring.
Beyond the physical restoration, Tolle photographs every tombstone and creates or updates online memorials on FindAGrave.com. She also attempts to reach out to descendants through Ancestry.com, connecting families to their ancestors and ensuring each grave is thoroughly documented for future generations.
“The team’s dedication goes beyond the physical restoration,” said Reinsmoen. “Restoring these graves is more than preserving history. It is personal. My own ancestor fought in the Revolutionary War, and working alongside these stones reminds me of the sacrifices that built our community.”
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Tolle is currently chronicling the group’s work in an upcoming book, capturing the restoration process itself and the stories of Greene County’s earliest residents. This project aims to preserve the legacy of those who came before and highlight the significance of their contributions.
For the group, each stone restoration is more than just a repair job—it is a tribute, ensuring that Greene County’s past will be remembered for the generations to come. Their efforts serve as a reminder of the importance of honoring history and the individuals who shaped it.
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