We work with cemetery officials for permission to be on the property and assistance in identifying the graves of fallen soldiers. We start by cleaning the veteran's headstone using the same cleaning solution and process officials use at Arlington Cemetery, the White House, and other National Monuments. It's a delicate method using specialized cleaners that requires a lot of patience and care. If a headstone is damaged, broken, cracked, or unreadable, we do our best to repair the headstone. If necessary, we will get a new grave marker so the veteran can be identified. We like to keep the existing headstone in place because of the historical significance.
Examples of Our Work​
Examples of Our Work​
Here is a headstone that had cracked and fell off its base. The steel rebar holding it in place rusted and broke (a very common problem). The headstone was cleaned, leveled, and fastened backed together with an epoxy adhesive. We only used the pieces that were there. The headstone is now securely back together, clean and readable.
Here is a headstone that had cracked and fell off its base. The steel rebar holding it in place rusted and broke (a very common problem). The headstone was cleaned, leveled, and fastened backed together with an epoxy adhesive. We only used the pieces that were there. The headstone is now securely back together, clean and readable.
Carefully selected cleaners
In 2004, the Department of Veteran Affairs National Cemetery Administration turned to the National Center for Preservation Technology and Training (NCPTT) when it wanted advice on chemical cleaners for their marble headstones. This began a partnership with extensive research on the subject of commercially available cleaners for removing biological growth and general soiling from marble headstones. Based on NCPTT research, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs will implement new policies that ban bleach-containing cleaners and encourage the use of gentle biocidal cleaners for regular maintenance of more than three million headstones nationwide.
The research which led to these recommendations included field and laboratory studies that cut across disciplines from chemistry and biology to materials science and conservation treatment development. There were two main goals of the study. The first goal was to find effective commercial cleaners that removed soiling and microorganisms which alter the appearance and degrade headstones. The second goal was to look at factors that led to the re-growth of microorganisms on the stone.
NCPTT researchers studied five different cleaners which can be easily applied in the field. The cleaners needed to be effective in improving the appearance of the headstone and do no harm to the marble. In the field, NCPTT evaluated cleaners on stones located at five different climates and in both sunny and shady environments. Microbiologists at Harvard’s School of Engineering and Applied Sciences evaluated the microorganisms originally on the stone including bacteria, fungi, and algae. They helped to follow the re-growth on the headstones after cleaning over an eighteen-month time period.
Additionally, they conducted accelerated laboratory tests using fungi to distinguish between the best field performing cleaners. A biocidal cleaner performed the best in this study. Recommended biocidal cleaners include D/2 Biological Solution (which is what Operation Honor Guard uses) manufactured by Sunshine Makers, Enviro Klean® BioWash®, or other cleaners that contain Quaternary ammonium compounds.
*ALWAYS remember to get permission before handling/cleaning any monument or headstone.