ANNISTON ARMY DEPOT, Ala. -- The depot began restoration of 319 headstones this week at the Military Cemetery on the former Fort McClellan. The work is scheduled to conclude in January.
This effort, which began in 2016 with restoration encompassing 36 graves in the northwest corner of the cemetery, will raise and realign the remaining headstones.
The work is being done by a contractor, MOWA Barlovento LLC, JV, with oversight by ANAD's Directorate of Public Works. The public may see heavy equipment in use and possibly loud noise associated with the progression.
The realignment of the headstones will ensure all rows line up vertically and perpendicularly, according to Mike Harris, chief of the depot's Planning and Resources Office.
"The project will put a footing under all the headstones to keep them perfectly aligned," said Harris.
The contractors will align one row at a time, fencing off a safe distance around the area of operations.
The headstones will be cleaned during the project and all damaged markers will be replaced. To ensure all headstones are returned to the appropriate location, a marker will be placed at the grave site and the contractor will have a map of the headstone locations.
The cemetery encompasses 355 headstones. ANAD is responsible for the ground maintenance services, to include mowing, trimming, fence repair, sunken grave repair and headstone alignment.
Established in 1917, the Military Cemetery closed in 1975. Several observances are held there each year, to include a Memorial Day ceremony and Wreaths Across America.
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