The City extends its heartfelt gratitude to Michael Downey, a proud member of American Legion Post 630 and a U.S. Coast Guard veteran, for his recent volunteer work at Hopewell Cemetery.
On Monday, July 28, and Tuesday, July 29, Michael traveled from his home in Michigan to Montgomery to clean the headstones of veterans laid to rest in our community. Though he lives out of state, Michael is an active member of the local Northeast Post 630 and has long supported our efforts to honor veterans, most notably by helping place flags on graves each Veterans Day.
Inspired by similar work he began near his home, Michael recognized the need to clean aging markers here as well. Without hesitation, he packed up his pressure-washing equipment and made the trip to lend a hand.
Over the course of two days, Michael cleaned 25 veteran markers in Section 1, Fraction 1 and Fraction 2 of Hopewell Cemetery. His dedication to preserving the dignity of these memorials is deeply appreciated, and we’re thrilled to hear that he plans to return in the future to continue this meaningful project.
Thank you, Michael, for your service—both in uniform and in your continued commitment to honoring fellow veterans.