Marzio Apolloni gazes with pride at the headstone in St. John’s Cemetery belonging to Leon Caverley, an Air Force member who passed away in 1942 after an accident and now rests in the Garson area of Greater Sudbury. In a recent effort, he meticulously cleaned the headstone, ensuring it is free from overgrown grass, standing upright, and the inscriptions are legible.
As a volunteer for the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, founded in 1917 to honor veterans from both world wars, Apolloni expressed that his actions are a humble way of showing gratitude to the Canadian troops who liberated his family in Italy during World War II. He shared that his grandparents were displaced from their Italian home by the German army during the war, recounting the hardships they faced until being liberated by the Allies.
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission is actively seeking volunteers like Apolloni to assist in inspecting and maintaining veteran grave sites. Katrielle Ethier, the marketing and communications executive of the commission, highlighted the need for volunteers across various locations in northern Ontario, including Kapuskasing, New Liskeard, Hearst, Sault Ste. Marie, and more.
Ethier emphasized the tangible impact volunteers can make by ensuring the upkeep of grave sites, mentioning the satisfaction of seeing immediate results when cleaning moss or other debris off headstones. She described the experience as both beautiful and intimate, allowing volunteers to honor the individuals buried there while learning more about their stories.
Volunteering with the Commonwealth War Graves Commission offers a meaningful opportunity to pay tribute to veterans and contribute to preserving their legacies. If you are interested in joining this effort, reach out to the commission to make a difference in honoring those who served their countries.