|
| |
1. PURPOSE:
The Buffalo Guards camp 1975 had adopted a special
program, to honor our Confederate Veterans buried through out New York State.
2. ELIGIBILITY:
Any Buffalo Guards camp member in good standing, who is at leased sixteen
years old and who had demonstrated his interest in preserving a grave site, and
serve in this capacity, may apply to become a Grave Sentry. All compatriots are
encouraged to participate in this adopt a grave program, to honor our
Confederate Veterans, whom are buried here in NY State, to guard and preserve
their final resting place.
3. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
A) He shall adopt a gravesite of a known Confederate Veteran. The applicant
shall care for and protect the gravesite, ensuring that the gravesite will be
kept clean and maintained year around. He shall perform these duties personally,
unless physically prevented from do so by reason of poor health.
B) Upon assuming his post, shell will take photo of the gravesite area, and
headstone. He will take notes of the condition of the gravesite and headstone as
well as making comments about the cemetery. He shall document any possible
information related to his military service and fully state the location of the
cemetery, the address, and any known contact person(s) for further information.
C) In some cases, it will be his job to make contact with the cemetery personal,
and be the liaison between the Cemetery personal and our Camp. It will be his
responsibility to seek out any possible family members still living and try to
find out any historical information or related military information regarding
the Confederate Veterans service, or life.
D) Each Grave Sentry or Picket, shall make out quarterly progress reports and
submit these reports to the Grave Sentry program’s review Committee. These
reports shall give updated information regarding the progress make at the given
Confederate Gravesite
E) He shall be responsible that the grave has an appropriate marker designating
it as the resting place of a Confederate Veteran. He shall also be responsible
for replacing or repairing any marker that is destroyed. Damaged or badly worn.
In some cases, the marker may need to be cleaned or repaired.
If the marker needs cleaning, you must report your findings and ask the grave
Sentry program review committee, for further instruction on how to clean the
marker. In most cases, we need to ask permission or get assistance from the
cemetery personal, to insure no damage will come from maintaining or cleaning or
repairing of marker. This is very important, that you follow these directions.
This will make us liable for any undue damage that can occur.
If any Confederate Veteran’s gravesite has no Government marker, or has no
mention of his Confederate service. Our camp had the necessary paperwork, for
the Veterans Administration to apply for a new Government marker, upon approval
from the cemetery. The new marker is Free of charge, but the cemetery will have
a charge to set the new marker. So arrangements and communications are needed to
implement these activities. Also a very good relations need to be make with the
cemetery and personal, to achieve these goals.
F) He shall personally visit the gravesite a minimum of (3) three times a year,
to include Confederate Memorial Day (we recognize the Sunday, before Memorial
day, same as the state of Virginia, which our camp adopted), or at leased one
week prior, at which time he shall place either a wreath or flowers, and a small
Confederate Flag, on the grave.
4. APPLICATIONS:
A) All individuals who wish to become a Grave Sentry must complete the Grave
Sentry application form and submit it to our Camp’s HQ, when this Committee will
review the application. (Also this will help in knowing if the gravesite is
being attended by another member)
B) All applicant must also remit a an application fee of $12.00 at the time of
the application to cover the cost of the Grave Sentry certificate and badge or
pin, which will be awarded upon successful completion of the period of
candidacy. This fee is non-refundable, regardless if the candidate successfully
his probationary term or not. $5.00 shall be added to any additional
application thereafter for multi-Sentry statues, if approved by the committee.
6) REVIEWS AND APPROVAL OF APPLICATIONS:
A) The Grave Sentry Program committee shall be review and approve all
applications. This committee shall consist of a Chairman and at leased two or
three other members, including the Camp Commander.
B) If approved, this applicant will be given the title “ Grave Picket”, as a
probationary status, which this candidate shall carry this status for two (2)
years less any time already completed to care for the grave site, if during such
time he carried out the minimum duties specified of a Grave Sentry (e.g. An
applicant who has already cared for a grave for one year in accordance with
criteria would only have one more year of service required as a “Grave Picket”
candidate before becoming a full Grave Sentry.)
7) FULL SENTRY STATUS:
A) Any individual who successfully complete their Grave Picket candidacy
(Probation) period, meeting the criteria established for this program and are
approved by the Grave Sentry program review committee, will be formally awarded
the status of Grave SENTRY, by order of the Camp Commander.
8) ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
A) Multiple Grave Sites - Grave Sentry’s may care for more than one Confederate
Veteran’s gravesite and will be recognized by the Grave Sentry program
committee. A special certificate, Badge or pin, shall be authorized to show or
indicate the care of Multiple Confederate Veteran’s graves. Because of the
limited amount of Confederate Veterans graves in our Western NY area, there will
be a limit of no more than two (2) Confederate Veterans graves, so as to give
everyone in the camp opportunity to participate in our camp. But in cases
outside the Western NY area, such as Elmira, and the New York City area, where
there are a number of Confederate Veterans buried at former prison sites, as
well as an number of Confederate Veterans buried elsewhere, exceptions will be
made to take care of these gravesites. These graves may be attended to in larger
numbers, on a case-by-case basis, with approval of the Grave Sentry committee.
All the said regulations apply, unless stated or discussed by the Grave Sentry
Program review committee.
B) Relieving of Post or Retiring of a Grave Sentry positions: A grave Sentry
must notify the Grave Sentry review committee when he is no longer able to carry
out his duties for reasons of health or relocation. Under such circumstances,
his Sentry post / position, will be “Honorably retired” or vacated, Will here by
be Relieved of his Post, with Honors”.
Upon this vacated post, any member in good standing in the Buffalo Guards camp
may apply for that Grave Sentry post, and upon approval from the Grave Sentry
Committee, may resume their Grave Sentry duties of his said post.
C) Revocation of Grave Sentry status:
The Grave Sentry program committee may revoke a Sentry’s status, if he fails to
carry out his duties and responsibilities. The Grave Sentry review committee has
the power to inspect, with or without notice. The Confederate gravesite can be
visited by the review committee to insure and to confirm that all rules and
regulations set by the Grave Sentry review committee is in compliance as
specified by the Buffalo Guards Camp 1975, of the Sons of Confederate Veterans.
If any Grave Sentry or Picket is found to have deserted his post or have not
followed the rules and regulations set forth by the Grave Sentry review
committee, the said Grave Sentry or Picket, he will loose all privileges and be
striped of his title and responsibilities, He must return his certificate and/
or badge or pin, which was presented to him, and his application fee will not be
refunded, by his actions, which were established by the Grave Sentry review
Committee.
|
