A jump in cemetery visitation is normal for Memorial Day weekend. However continuing standing water and wet, soft areas are making it difficult this year. Mitchell Cemetery Director Kevin Thurman is asking visitors for help in protecting the grave sites by parking on paved areas only. “We’ve got areas that are still holding water,” said Thurman. “we are pumping as much as we can but the ground seepage is still leaving water on the surface.”
He says most of the cemetery has been weeded and mowed but there are some areas where the ground’s too soft and can’t be maintained without doing more damage.
Thurman says staff will continue to work on the cemetery over the weekend. “We’ll be OK for the services,” Thurman said. “It’s just that people are going to have to watch where they’re walking and to please stay on the paths as much as they can.” There are white flags and along the paved paths indicating soft and wet areas to be avoided.
Mitchell’s Memorial Day services start Monday morning at 9:45 at the Servicemen’s Memorial Cemetery.