BUFFALO, N.Y. — The Buffalo-based organization Community Services for Every1 is stepping up to cover the cost of replacing the headstone of Private George Martin.
Martin was a veteran of the Civil War and is the only African-American veteran buried in Witmer Memorial Cemetery in the Town of Niagara.
After seeing the story air during the newscast, Mindy Cervoni, the President of Community Services, decided to help cover the cost.
"Private Martin gave many years to our country by serving in the Civil War. He's the only African American buried in this Witmer Cemetery, and what a horrible thing that his headstone is tipped over, and there's no money to pay for it," Cervoni told 2 On Your Side.
Cervoni called John Teixeira, who is a member of the Town of Niagara Lions Club and is overseeing the fundraising efforts to replace the headstone.
"We thought Community Services' entire mission is to help people in the community, and what better thing to do than to help a veteran?" Cervoni said.
The Town of Niagara Lions Club will be at the Witmer Cemetery to lay wreaths on the headstones of all of the veterans buried there, including Private Martin.
Private Martin served with the United States Colored Troops during the Civil War. The Town of Niagara Lions Club had sought $965 to repair the headstone.