Volunteers gather to clean up burial plot in Saco containing Revolutionary War veteran

Thanks to a community effort, the burial plot of a Revolutionary War Veteran in Saco was cleaned up in time for Memorial Day.

According to Maine state law passed more than a decade ago, municipalities, in coordination with veterans groups, must maintain the grave sites of veterans who are buried in ancient burial grounds – cemeteries that established before 1880 restricted to a family and its descendants or those chosen by the family. From May 1 to September 30, these graves must be mowed and kept free of debris, weeds, vines and fallen trees. If the burial ground is on private property, the owner of the property can opt to maintain the cemetery themselves.

Ted Sirois, adjutant commander of American Legion Post 26, said that many municipalities don’t have the resources to identify every family burial ground and to do the initial repair work and invasive plant cleanup needed. He said this is where local veterans groups, historians and community members come into play.

After learning that Maine has thousands of neglected family burial plots across the state, Sirois did some research and found there are about 35 family burial grounds in Saco.

Sirois discovered a small cemetery on Smutty Lane in Saco that contains the grave of Revolutionary War veteran Captain Abram Tyler, and after contacting the property owner, he put out a call for volunteers to help clean up the overgrown site. Several residents as well as cemetery preservationists and a representative from the Daughters of the American Revolution came out to the site on May 16, clearing out weeds, brush and fallen branches. 

“It was a tremendous success,” said Sirois.

If anyone is interested in helping the Sirois and the American Legion in future projects, email Sirois at tedbecks@gmail.com

Saco Bay News Publisher Liz Gotthelf can be reached at newsdesk@sacobaynews.com.