Volunteers decorate veterans graves today

POLAND

Even though Jason Smith was only 3 when his grandfather died, the Poland man’s sense of loss sometimes makes it hard to visit his relative’s gravesite at Poland Riverside Cemetery.

“It’s difficult to come, even though I was young when he died,” Smith said of his grandfather Robert Swantner.

At the same time, however, a feeling of deep pride keeps Smith coming back, especially as Memorial Day approaches, he said.

To that end, Smith, his wife, Heidi, and sons Tyler, 7, and Jacob, 9, were among several dozen people who spent part of Saturday morning placing flags at the graves of deceased military veterans at the cemetery, 110 Riverside Drive.

For the complete story, read Sunday's Vindicator or Vindy.com.