Sept. 17 Cemetery Stroll in Fort Collins will offer tribute to fallen veterans of five conflicts

The 16th annual Cemetery Stroll is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 17, at Grandview Cemetery in Fort Collins. There will be two performances — 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.

The Cemetery Stroll is Fort Collins’ oldest and largest living history presentation in which volunteer actors do graveside portrayals of people buried in historic Grandview Cemetery.

The theme for this year’s event is “Valuing our Veterans: Service and Sacrifice” and marks the 150th anniversary of the start of the Civil War, as well as the 70th observation of the bombing of Pearl Harbor.

Seven Fort Collins veterans from five past conflicts will be portrayed at their respective burial sites. Two represent the Civil War: John Mandeville, a Union vet, and James Fletcher, a Confederate vet. Richard Maxfield served during the Spanish-American War, and George Beach lost his life in World War I. Other World War II veterans include Alonso Martinez, who died in Belgium in 1944, and Fran Thompson. The last character to be portrayed is Stewart Case, who served in both World War II and the Korean War.

Veterans from Vietnam, Desert Storm, Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as peacetime vets also will be recognized. A military color guard will kick off the event, and items of historic interest will be on display.

Proceeds from the Cemetery Stroll benefit programs and services at the Fort Collins Senior Center.

Tickets for the event are $6 for adults and $3 for children 12 years and under. They can be purchased in advance at the Fort Collins Senior Center, 1200 Raintree Drive, Fort Collins, and Grandview Cemetery, 1900 W. Mountain Ave., Fort Collins. Tickets, if available, also can be purchased at the cemetery on the day of the event.