When American Legion Post 1799 Post Commander Carlos Collat learned there were 20 unmarked veteran graves at the Stonewall Memory Gardens Cemetery in Manassas, he had to act.
“[These veterans were] laid to rest without the proper military burial and benefits they earned through their service to our country,” Collat said. “These individuals rest in the forgotten ground, their lives known only to the cemetery.”
Collat served in the U.S. Army for 31 years as ground combat advisor, a combat helicopter pilot and fixed wing reconnaissance pilot in consecutive tours of Vietnam and Desert Storm, and he was wounded in action.
“Never leave anyone behind or forgotten [is the military motto],” he said. “Us veterans deserve more than dirt and grass and nothing else above us when we die.”
American Legion Post 1799 serves the Haymarket, Gainesville and Catharpin communities with 150 active members. It is currently involved in 30 ongoing projects in keeping with the organization’s four pillars: veterans affairs and rehabilitation, national security, Americanism, and children and youth.
“We have a lot of heart. We have a lot of manpower,” Collat said. “Reach out and give back. That’s what we are all about.”
To address the issue at Stonewall cemetery, Post 1799 formed a “Respect Our Fallen Vets” committee. Its initial mission was to provide bronze plaques to mark the graves of veterans buried at Stonewall or other local cemeteries without headstones or personalized grave markers.
The plaques would identify them by name and include their military service, “so that these forgotten heroes will finally be given the recognition they earned,” Collat said.
The Department of Veterans Affairs provided the plaques at no cost, but the cost for each granite slab exceeded $1,300, including placement and perpetual upkeep. The post teamed with VFW Post 7589 in Manassas and VFW Post 12218 in Haymarket to fundraise.
Post members also wanted to include family members in the process of honoring the deceased. When the cemetery could not locate families, veterans took it upon themselves to find them.
Richard Martin of Delaplane, finance officer for Post 1799, who spent 20 years in the U.S. Navy, used his background in strategic planning to access records and information.
Martin found some of the cases fascinating, such as one gentleman who served in the Spanish American War and World War I. However, finding living relatives was the real victory. “It’s very gratifying and humbling; it just chokes you up,” he said.
Collat said there are multiple reasons the vets did not receive gravestones. They have also found descendants are often unaware of their relative’s honorable service.
“They may not know which conflicts their ancestors supported or the extent of their bravery, including any medals of valor they may have received,” he said.
Once the post members find family members, they present them with a framed collage that includes information about the individual’s military service.
On Dec. 16, 2023, Post 1799 and VFW 12218 honored two deceased veterans: one from World War II and the other from the Korean War, unveiling their veteran’s plaques at Stonewall cemetery. Families attended and were able to say a few words or prayers.
“We do it because it’s the right thing to do,” Collat said. However, “The big payoff is seeing the smiles on the faces of the veterans’ families.”
Post 1799 continued the program, and on this Veterans Day, Nov. 11, members unveiled four more plaques at Stonewall cemetery.
One of those graves belonged to Bernard James Hirmer (1939-1989) of Nokesville, who served in the Navy from 1949-1953.
His six sons, including Michael Hirmer of Nokesville, were young men when their father passed. He and his children attended the unveiling, along with his brothers Jim and Gary, and Gary’s children.
Michael Hirmer is grateful to the American Legion, especially to vice commander Kevin Garcia, a 20-year veteran Navy cryptologist, who researched much of the genealogy. Not only was the plaque a wonderful tribute, but Garcia told him something rather significant about his father.
Hirmer knew his dad worked for four years at the Navy Yard in Washington as a radio operator, but Garcia told his brothers and him something groundbreaking: “He was a cryptologist; he was a spy.”
Suddenly it made sense why his father did not talk about work. “He couldn’t talk about it. He couldn’t say he was a cryptologist.”
Now, Bernard Hirmer’s service has finally been recognized.
Hirmer was surprised when Post 1799 called him less than a month before Veterans Day. He was impressed by how the group pulled everything together.
“[My brothers and I are] very appreciative that they would take the time to honor our father because our dad had six boys turned into very successful men,” said Hirmer. “He was a good dad.”
Susan Baldani writes articles about small town life, local businesses and interesting people for various publications. Her website is mywritingwall.com, and she can be reached at suebaldani@yahoo.com.
Want to help? Contact carlos.m.collat@gmail.com to make a donation or learn more about Post 1799’s “Respect Our Fallen Vets” program.
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