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Trenton High senior leads volunteer effort to restore veteran headstones at Bloomdale Cemetery
Summary
Trenton High senior Peyton Kenny organized about 30 student volunteers and community sponsors to clean and reflag more than 100 veteran headstones at Bloomdale Cemetery, presenting before/after photos to the council.
Peyton Kenny, a senior at Trenton High School, presented the results of an NHS senior project to the Trenton City Council on Nov. 24 detailing a volunteer restoration of veteran headstones at Bloomdale Cemetery.
Kenny said she initially estimated about 70 veteran markers but found there were more than 100. She organized roughly 30 student volunteers, including some exchange students, and solicited sponsorships from local groups: the Enforcers Motorcycle Club provided funds for supplies, Expert Heating & Cooling (Mr. Angelotti) contributed money, Trenton Sons Allegiance supplied flags and Elliot’s Bakery provided food for volunteers. The city provided logistical help such as water and recycling/trash bins through Kevin Sargent.
Kenny displayed before-and-after photos showing headstones that were previously unreadable but were made legible after cleaning. She cited specific discoveries including Civil War veteran Annie Connor (d.1907) and Julius Koehler (World War II, Navy), and described uncovering a headstone for Earl Arthur Frederick (World War I) that had been nearly buried beneath turf. Kenny said students worked in cold, 40-degree weather and that the project both honored veterans and served as a community service-learning opportunity.
Council members and the mayor thanked Kenny and her team. Council members and residents in public comment praised the effort and highlighted community support for the project.
