A Civil War veteran from Lockport, New York, is finally receiving a proper headstone after being buried in an unmarked grave for more than a century. Private Thomas Ryan served in the 116th New York Volunteer Infantry Regiment, fought in a dozen battles, and lived the rest of his life in Lockport after the war. He was buried at St. Patrick’s Cemetery in 1919, but his grave never received its own marker.
His great-grandson, James Joustra Jr, learned more about Ryan’s life and service over the past few years. After discovering that his great-grandfather didn’t have his own marker at his gravesite, Joustra, who’s also a veteran, contacted the Department of Veterans Affairs. The VA funded a headstone that was recently placed over his grave.
The City of Lockport plans to honor Private Ryan with a public ceremony tomorrow (November 8th), a day the town will now designate as “Private Thomas J. Ryan Day.” The ceremony will take place at St. Patrick’s Cemetery at 10 a.m. and is open to the public.
Source: WKBW
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