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Submitted: 4/2/08 • Approved: 4/21/08 • Last Updated: 2/17/13 • R49648-G0-S3
The following information is from the Omaha World Herald, Living Section, March 20, 2008.
“Brian Stewart . . ., a 17 year-old senior at Millard South High School wanted to do something for the community that he could use to earn an Eagle Scout badge.
For the project he researched the cemetery and its history, who was buried there and who was responsible for maintaining the property.
Portal Cemetery, Stewart learned, had existed in Sarpy County since 1879, and 83 people are buried there. He learned there is no longer a cemetery association and that upkeep fell to a caretaker…
After much planning, Stewart led a daylong effort on Nov. 17 [2008] that involved 28 people, including family, friends, fellow Scouts and a few people Stewart didn’t even know.
They dug out tough thistle and thorn bushes and then filled those holes with dirt and grass seed. They straightened the old rusted cattle fence that surrounds the cemetery and repaired broken headstones.
They mowed the lawn and trimmed trees.
Stewart raked fresh rocks over the driveway leading up to the gate, and he left artificial flowers in vases at each grave when the work was done.
He also hung a brand new sign with the cemetery’s name on the front gate.
“It was the greatest feeling you could get’ he said, ‘you know helping out. I thought I can be this person. I can do it.’ ‘It turned out really good.’
Stewart, the son of Marsha and Jim Stewart, wants to continue to keep the cemetery in good shape.”
Contributed on 4/2/08 by JimNebraska99
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Record #: 49648