HAVERHILL — The trustees of Linwood Cemetery said many veterans wish to be buried among their brethren but don't always get their wish. They said not every cemetery has a veterans section.
Those who fought in World War I were given such a place at Linwood, which years ago set aside an area of land near the center of its 45 acres just for them. Those veterans who followed were buried in family plots in Linwood.
Now, the cemetery is poised to open a new veterans section, and offer the 40 or so lots at a subsidized price.
"The trustees and myself felt that it was very important to have a veterans lot here at Linwood," said Michael Kenney, cemetery superintendent. "We were redesigning a few sections so this was a good time to do this. I'd hate to see a veteran put in the paupers cemetery on Hilldale Avenue. They deserve to be buried with respect."
Each year the annual Veterans Day parade in Haverhill concludes at Linwood with participants placing a wreath at the World War I memorial. The new veterans section, just a stone's throw away, is where cemetery trustees and invited guests will gather Monday for a dedication ceremony led by John Katsaros, vice president of the board and a World War II veteran.
A 6-foot-long and 4-foot-tall rectangular granite monument noting "Linwood Cemetery Honors Our Veterans" marks the new section. The monument bears engraved emblems of the four branches of the military, along with the Coast Guard and Merchant Marine.
"I hope veterans will be appreciative of this new section and know that we are honoring them," said Fred Malcolm Sr., president of the cemetery's board of trustees. "This is in a prominent section and has been about three years in the making."
Kenney said that in the past the federal government provided cemeteries with money to create veterans sections. He said that changed and now the government creates its own veterans cemeteries, including one in Bourne.
"Some families feel that is too far away," Kenney said. "Linwood funded this on its own as we thought it was important to have it there and make it affordable."
Katsaros said the new section will be for all veterans of all wars. The lots will be made available to veterans, as well as the wives of veterans who wish to be buried there.
"A lot of cemeteries started doing this in recent years, including Arlington National Cemetery in Washington," Kenney said.
The new veterans section at Linwood is around a quarter-acre in size.
"This should last some time then we can dedicate another area in the future," Kenney said.
Rectangular black granite (steel gray) markers that match the color of the new monument will sit flush with the ground in the new section.
Two years ago, Katsaros, of Haverhill, published his wartime adventures of being shot down over France.
In "Code Burgundy, The Long Escape," he recalls the B-17 bombing mission he was on, how his plane was severely damaged by German groundfire, how he parachuted onto French soil with severe injuries, and how he eventually made his escape to England — with help from the French underground.
Linwood Cemetery, a private, nonprofit organization, was established in 1845. It borders the city's Pentucket Burial Ground on three sides.
The public is invited to attend the dedication, which will be Monday at 9 a.m. at Linwood Cemetery. For more information, call Linwood Cemetery at 978-374-4191.
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