Bellefontaine Cemetery and Arboretum

11/15/2025

Bellefontaine Cemetery and Arboretum's natural burial option is eco-friendly and provides a meaningful experience for families and loved ones. Natural burial is interment without chemical embalming (we use refrigeration instead), in a biodegradable container, with the goal of returning the body to the earth as expeditiously as possible. Bellefontaine allows natural burial all throughout the Cemetery grounds and can also provide all funeral-related services associated with this eco-friendly option.

Those who choose natural burial often do so for the environmental benefits. Many are then surprised at the intimacy and beauty often associated with the process. Choosing this option offers families the opportunity to participate throughout the burial. From assisting with lowering the body to blanketing the deceased with greens and flowers, there are various opportunities to honor a loved one in meaningful ways.

For more information about natural burial, please contact Bellefontaine advisors, Gracie or Rick, at (314) 381-0750, or visit our website: https://bellefontainecemetery.org/ecoburial-soc/

11/15/2025

As part of our volunteer services, Bellefontaine Cemetery and Arboretum (BCA) assists with genealogy and family history searches of our Cemetery records. You may discover you have rights of interment at Bellefontaine Cemetery.

To learn more, please contact Dan, BCA Cemetery Chronicler, at 314-381-0750, or online at https://bellefontainecemetery.org/genealogy-soc/.

11/13/2025

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐖𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫-𝐁𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐀𝐥𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞: 𝐀𝐪𝐮𝐚𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧

Bellefontaine Cemetery and Arboretum offers Aquamation. This cremation option—also known as flameless cremation and alkaline hydrolysis—offers many of the environmental benefits of a full natural burial, with the flexibility of traditional cremation.

The process uses water instead of flame, expending 85% less energy than traditional cremation. Using a combination of gentle water flow, ordinary salts, and gravity, Aquamation accelerates the natural breakdown of the body. When the process is complete, mineral bone cremated remains—like those from a flame-based cremation—are ready for inurnment or burial.

This gentle process mirrors what naturally happens after a natural burial, but occurs in a period of 12–14 hours instead of several years.

𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐲

Choosing Aquamation is not the end of the planning process. Where will your remains rest? While many people want to return cremated remains to nature, it’s important to know that scattering of cremated remains can be harmful to the environment and may be illegal in many public places.

Bellefontaine Cemetery offers several beautiful resting places for cremated remains, from our Hotchkiss Chapel Columbarium or Lakeside Columbarium to traditional burial or in-ground scattering amongst our serene gardens. Cremated remains may be interred at any site that is available for traditional burial. In addition, niches for placing urns with cremated remains are available at our open-air Lakeside Columbarium or in the simple elegance of the Hotchkiss Chapel. Finally, there are gardens available for cremation burial in Wildwood Valley, located near our lakes and the stream that runs between them.

Wherever you choose as your final resting place, make it a beautiful and memorable place. You deserve to be remembered for generations to come.

For more information about this cremation option, please contact Bellefontaine advisors, Gracie or Rick, at 314-381-0750, or visit us online.

🌐 𝐡𝐭𝐭𝐩𝐬://𝐛𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐟𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐲.𝐨𝐫𝐠/𝐟𝐥𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐬-𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧-𝐬𝐨𝐜/

11/12/2025

11/10/2025

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐫𝐩𝐬 celebrated its 250th birthday on Monday, Nov. 10, 2025.

For those who have earned the title of Marine, Nov. 10 is celebrated as if it was their own birthday, serving as a "yearly reminder of the brave spirit that has compelled young men and women to defend our nation and its interests for more than two centuries," according to Marines.com.

The United States Marine Corps was established on November 10, 1775, to augment naval forces in the Revolutionary War. The recruiting headquarters was set up by Capt. Samuel Nicholas in the Tun Tavern on Water Street in Philadelphia, which is considered to be the birthplace of the Marines.

In honor of this historic birthday, we share this information about a cenotaph you can find at Bellefontaine Cemetery and Arboretum. A cenotaph is an empty tomb or a monument erected in honor of a person or group of people whose remains are elsewhere. It can also be the initial tomb for a person who has since been reinterred elsewhere. On this cenotaph is the symbol of a United States Marine. The 5th Regiment of Marines had landed in France with the first expedition of American troops in June 1917. Private Grayson Shelton died on October 6, 1918, and is buried at Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery in Romagne, France. He is memorialized at Bellefontaine Cemetery and Arboretum with this cenotaph. This monument was placed by his family who wished to have a permanent place to honor his sacrifice and mourn him here in St. Louis, as his body was permanently interred in France.

𝗔𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗿𝗽𝘀 𝗘𝗺𝗯𝗹𝗲𝗺: 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙀𝙖𝙜𝙡𝙚, 𝙂𝙡𝙤𝙗𝙚, & 𝘼𝙣𝙘𝙝𝙤𝙧 (𝙀𝙂𝘼)

The basic design of the Marine Corps emblem was officially adopted in 1868. Prior to 1868, the Marines wore various emblems based mainly on the spread eagle and fouled anchor. In 1868, the seventh Commandant, General Zeilin, decided on a single, distinctive emblem centered on the globe.

The emblem represents what the Corps stands for, its past, and its future.

🦅 𝐄𝐚𝐠𝐥𝐞: The eagle is the national symbol of the United States, and is the one part of the emblem which readily identifies the Marine Corps with the United States. The eagle proudly carries a streamer in its beak which bears the motto of the Corps, "Semper Fidelis."

🌎 𝐆𝐥𝐨𝐛𝐞: Emphasizing the close ties between the U.S. Marine Corps and the British Royal Marines, the idea of a globe as part of the emblem comes from the emblem of the Royal Marines. However, the Royal Marines' emblem shows the Eastern Hemisphere, whereas the U.S. Marine Corps' emblem shows the Western Hemisphere. Today, of course, the globe can also symbolize the "global" Marine Corps commitments and responsibilities which have evolved in the 20th century.

⚓ 𝐀𝐧𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐫: The anchor in the EGA is not just a plain anchor but a "fouled" anchor, meaning it has become hooked on something in the ground, or it has its cable wound around it. The anchor emphasizes the close ties of the Marine Corps with the U.S. Navy.

If you’d like more information about cemetery symbolism, make sure to follow our page. You can also visit our website and sign up to receive our monthly email newsletters. Learn more: https://bellefontainecemetery.org/iconography-soc/.



Notes: This photo was taken at BCA by one of our volunteers, Michele Thomas. EGA Symbol information courteous of usmc-mccs.org

11/10/2025

Thank you, National Building Arts Center!

11/10/2025

𝐌𝐞𝐝𝐚𝐥 𝐨𝐟 𝐇𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐫 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐩𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬: 𝐁𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐟𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐇𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐫𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐫𝐚𝐯𝐞! 🇺🇸

We continue honoring the 10 Medal of Honor recipients laid to rest here at Bellefontaine—more than any other cemetery in Missouri! Today we recognize Major 𝐖𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐦 𝐌. 𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐲 of the United States Army (3rd U.S. Reserve Corps), a Civil War hero recognized for his actions during the decisive 𝐁𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐖𝐢𝐥𝐬𝐨𝐧'𝐬 𝐂𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐤.

Major Wherry was recognized for extraordinary heroism at Wilson's Creek, Missouri, on August 10, 1861. He displayed exceptional bravery and leadership by bringing a gun into position under heavy enemy fire and successfully rallying a portion of his broken command. His efforts helped stabilize the Union position during the chaotic fighting. Major Wherry was awarded the Medal of Honor on March 10, 1894.

We invite you to join us on Veterans Day, Tuesday, November 11, for a special Medal of Honor walking tour! During this two-hour walk, from 1:30 p.m. until 3:30 p.m., you will visit the graves of all 10 recipients. At each location, their American and Medal of Honor flags will be refreshed, and their accomplishments read aloud from the original submissions made to secure their commendation. Attendees will carry flags to each burial location as we honor these heroes of our country.

New Medal of Honor flags and American flags are placed at each of their graves for easy recognition. If you can't make the tour, we welcome you to stop by our front office by the Cemetery entrance gates and pick up a map to help you locate each grave for a self-guided visit!

𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱, 𝘀𝗼 𝗽𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻 𝘂𝗽 𝘁𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘆!
➡️ https://bellefontainecemetery.org/event/medal-of-honor-walk-111125/

Medal of Honor tours are free; however, donations to the Friends of Bellefontaine are gratefully accepted.

𝗧𝗼 𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗮 𝗴𝗶𝗳𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝐁𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐟𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐞:
📞 𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗼𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗲: 314-381-0750
🌐 𝗪𝗘𝗕𝗦𝗜𝗧𝗘: https://51295.blackbaudhosting.com/51295/Friends-Gift
✅ 𝗩𝗘𝗡𝗠𝗢:
🔵 𝗣𝗔𝗬𝗣𝗔𝗟: donations@bcastl.org

Other events will be announced soon. If you’d like more information about upcoming virtual or in-person events, please sign up for email newsletters to get advance notice.
📧 https://bellefontainecemetery.org/tours-soc/.

11/09/2025

𝐌𝐞𝐝𝐚𝐥 𝐨𝐟 𝐇𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐫 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐩𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬: 𝐁𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐟𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐇𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐫𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐫𝐚𝐯𝐞! 🇺🇸

We continue honoring the 10 Medal of Honor recipients laid to rest here at Bellefontaine—more than any other cemetery in Missouri! Today we recognize Captain 𝐀𝐥𝐞𝐱𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐑. 𝐒𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐞𝐫 of the United States Army (138th Infantry, 35th Division), a World War I hero who made the ultimate sacrifice during the 𝐁𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐀𝐫𝐠𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞.

Captain Skinker was recognized posthumously for extraordinary heroism near Cheppy, France, on September 26, 1918. When a German machine gun nest held up the advance of his company, he personally led a bayonet charge against the nest. He killed the crew of four and took the gun, but was mortally wounded. His supreme courage and self-sacrifice enabled the company to continue its advance. Captain Skinker was awarded the Medal of Honor in 1919.

We invite you to join us on Veterans Day, Tuesday, November 11, for a special Medal of Honor walking tour! During this two-hour walk, from 1:30 p.m. until 3:30 p.m., you will visit the graves of all 10 recipients. At each location, their American and Medal of Honor flags will be refreshed, and their accomplishments read aloud from the original submissions made to secure their commendation. Attendees will carry flags to each burial location as we honor these heroes of our country.

New Medal of Honor flags and American flags are placed at each of their graves for easy recognition. If you can't make the tour, we welcome you to stop by our front office by the Cemetery entrance gates and pick up a map to help you locate each grave for a self-guided visit!

𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗮𝘁𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱, 𝘀𝗼 𝗽𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻 𝘂𝗽 𝘁𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘆!
➡️ https://bellefontainecemetery.org/event/medal-of-honor-walk-111125/

Medal of Honor tours are free; however, donations to the Friends of Bellefontaine are gratefully accepted.

𝗧𝗼 𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗮 𝗴𝗶𝗳𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝐁𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐟𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐞:
📞 𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗼𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗲: 314-381-0750
🌐 𝗪𝗘𝗕𝗦𝗜𝗧𝗘: https://51295.blackbaudhosting.com/51295/Friends-Gift
✅ 𝗩𝗘𝗡𝗠𝗢:
🔵 𝗣𝗔𝗬𝗣𝗔𝗟: donations@bcastl.org

Other events will be announced soon. If you’d like more information about upcoming virtual or in-person events, please sign up for email newsletters to get advance notice.
📧 https://bellefontainecemetery.org/tours-soc/.

11/08/2025

🏆 𝐒𝐮𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬! 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓 𝐂𝐨𝐲𝐨𝐭𝐞 𝐂𝐫𝐚𝐰𝐥 𝟓𝐊 / 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐇𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐬 𝟏𝟎𝐊 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐩! 🥇

Wow! What an incredible day for our annual Bellefontaine Cemetery and Arboretum fall 5K/10K event last Saturday, November 1. From the first runners crossing the start line to the very last participants enjoying the autumn colors, the energy was absolutely electric. Seeing so many people come out to run, walk, and celebrate community on our historic grounds means the world to us.

First, a huge 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 to our winners, who are featured in this video! We are so proud of your performance on these challenging courses. 𝐆𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭 𝐣𝐨𝐛 𝐭𝐨 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐜𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐡 𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞!

We are sending our heartfelt thanks to:

🏃 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐥𝐞 𝐫𝐮𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐰𝐚𝐥𝐤𝐞𝐫 who laced up their shoes and joined us. You made the event a resounding success!

💖 𝐎𝐮𝐫 𝐚𝐦𝐚𝐳𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐟𝐟 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐯𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐞𝐫𝐬 who worked tirelessly throughout the morning to make sure everything ran smoothly and safely. We couldn't do this without your dedication.

👐 𝐎𝐮𝐫 𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐨𝐫𝐬 for their support in making this year’s event the best one yet.

𝐈𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐩𝐡𝐨𝐭𝐨𝐬, 𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐟𝐚𝐯𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐮𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐰!

𝐖𝐞'𝐥𝐥 𝐛𝐞 𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐨𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐩𝐡𝐨𝐭𝐨 𝐚𝐥𝐛𝐮𝐦 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐅𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐩𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐬𝐨𝐨𝐧!

We look forward to seeing you all again at 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐬𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 5K/10K!

11/08/2025

𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐩. 𝐁𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐞. 𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐱.

Your Saturday scroll needs a moment of calm. We’re giving you 10 seconds of pure bliss straight from the peaceful, beautiful grounds of the Cemetery. Take a moment to enjoy the view and recharge before the rest of your weekend.



We invite you to find your own moment of reflection on our historic grounds through a self-guided tour by car, on foot, or by bicycle. The Cemetery is open daily from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., year-round (except for severe weather closures).

𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗹𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁
Plan your peaceful self-guided visit or sign up for our newsletter:
➡️ https://bellefontainecemetery.org/tours-soc/

11/08/2025

𝐌𝐞𝐝𝐚𝐥 𝐨𝐟 𝐇𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐫 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐩𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬: 𝐁𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐟𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐇𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐫𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐫𝐚𝐯𝐞! 🇺🇸

We continue honoring the 10 Medal of Honor recipients laid to rest here at Bellefontaine—more than any other cemetery in Missouri! Today we recognize Captain 𝐇𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐲 𝐎'𝐁𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧 of the United States Army (1st New York Artillery), a Civil War hero recognized for his actions during the pivotal 𝐁𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐆𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐲𝐬𝐛𝐮𝐫𝐠.

Captain O'Brien was recognized for extraordinary heroism on July 3, 1863, when he remained at his post during the heavy assault following Pickett's Charge. He continued to command his battery, helping to hold the Union center against overwhelming odds. He was also cited for bravery at the Siege of Petersburg. Captain O'Brien was awarded the Medal of Honor on June 29, 1897.

We invite you to join us on Veterans Day, Tuesday, November 11, for a special Medal of Honor walking tour! During this two-hour walk, from 1:30 p.m. until 3:30 p.m., you will visit the graves of all 10 recipients. At each location, their American and Medal of Honor flags will be refreshed, and their accomplishments read aloud from the original submissions made to secure their commendation. Attendees will carry flags to each burial location as we honor these heroes of our country.

New Medal of Honor flags and American flags are placed at each of their graves for easy recognition. If you can't make the tour, we welcome you to stop by our front office by the Cemetery entrance gates and pick up a map to help you locate each grave for a self-guided visit!

𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱, 𝘀𝗼 𝗽𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻 𝘂𝗽 𝘁𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘆!
➡️ https://bellefontainecemetery.org/event/medal-of-honor-walk-111125/

Medal of Honor tours are free; however, donations to the Friends of Bellefontaine are gratefully accepted.

𝗧𝗼 𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗮 𝗴𝗶𝗳𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝐁𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐟𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐞:
📞 𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗼𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗲: 314-381-0750
🌐 𝗪𝗘𝗕𝗦𝗜𝗧𝗘: https://51295.blackbaudhosting.com/51295/Friends-Gift
✅ 𝗩𝗘𝗡𝗠𝗢:
🔵 𝗣𝗔𝗬𝗣𝗔𝗟: donations@bcastl.org

Other events will be announced soon. If you’d like more information about upcoming virtual or in-person events, please sign up for email newsletters to get advance notice.
📧 https://bellefontainecemetery.org/tours-soc/.

11/07/2025

𝐌𝐞𝐝𝐚𝐥 𝐨𝐟 𝐇𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐫 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐩𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬: 𝐁𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐟𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐇𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐫𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐫𝐚𝐯𝐞! 🇺🇸

We continue honoring the 10 Medal of Honor recipients laid to rest here at Bellefontaine—more than any other cemetery in Missouri! Today we recognize Landsman 𝐉𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐅. 𝐌𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐨𝐧 of the United States Navy, whose bravery was demonstrated during the often-forgotten 𝐊𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐧 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 of 1871.

Landsman Merton was recognized for extraordinary heroism while serving with a storming party during the critical seizure of the Korean forts on Ganghwa Island in June 1871. During the intense action, Landsman Merton was severely wounded in the arm. He was awarded the Medal of Honor on October 10, 1872.

We invite you to join us on Veterans Day, Tuesday, November 11, for a special Medal of Honor walking tour! During this two-hour walk, from 1:30 p.m. until 3:30 p.m., you will visit the graves of all 10 recipients. At each location, their American and Medal of Honor flags will be refreshed, and their accomplishments read aloud from the original submissions made to secure their commendation. Attendees will carry flags to each burial location as we honor these heroes of our country.

New Medal of Honor flags and American flags are placed at each of their graves for easy recognition. If you can't make the tour, we welcome you to stop by our front office by the Cemetery entrance gates and pick up a map to help you locate each grave for a self-guided visit!

𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱, 𝘀𝗼 𝗽𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻 𝘂𝗽 𝘁𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘆!
➡️ https://bellefontainecemetery.org/event/medal-of-honor-walk-111125/

Medal of Honor tours are free; however, donations to the Friends of Bellefontaine are gratefully accepted.

𝗧𝗼 𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗮 𝗴𝗶𝗳𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝐁𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐟𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐞:
📞 𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗼𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗲: 314-381-0750
🌐 𝗪𝗘𝗕𝗦𝗜𝗧𝗘: https://51295.blackbaudhosting.com/51295/Friends-Gift
✅ 𝗩𝗘𝗡𝗠𝗢:
🔵 𝗣𝗔𝗬𝗣𝗔𝗟: donations@bcastl.org

Other events will be announced soon. If you’d like more information about upcoming virtual or in-person events, please sign up for email newsletters to get advance notice.
📧 https://bellefontainecemetery.org/tours-soc/.