Morningstar Fallen Heroes Project

Morningstar Fallen Heroes Project Hello, my name is Marcus Morningstar, founder of Morningstar Fallen Heroes Project.

Since COVID, I have been cleaning and restoring veteran headstones to help preserve the names, service, and their legacies.

I had the honor of stopping by Cherry Grove Cemetery in Clare, Michigan, to uncover and clean the grave of Nathan Scott ...
06/04/2026

I had the honor of stopping by Cherry Grove Cemetery in Clare, Michigan, to uncover and clean the grave of Nathan Scott Hemstreet, a World War I veteran.

Nathan was born on October 17, 1887, and served our country as a Private in Company B, 329th Machine Gun Battalion, 85th Division. Like so many from his generation, he answered the call during one of the most difficult and defining times in our nation’s history.

I didn’t have much time, but when I saw that his grave was partially covered and hidden by grass, dirt, and years of weather, I knew I had to stop and give him the respect he deserved. Even a small amount of time can make a big difference in making sure these veterans are not forgotten.

At this time, there does not appear to be a lot of information available about Nathan’s life, besides him passing away in a vehicle accident with his wife, but I will continue researching him and hope to learn more about the man behind this marker. Every veteran has a story, and every story deserves to be remembered.

Nathan passed away on July 19, 1963, and now rests at Cherry Grove Cemetery in Clare. It was an honor to help bring his marker back into view.

Honoring his service. Remembering his sacrifice. 🇺🇸
— Morningstar Fallen Heroes Project

Morningstar Fallen Heroes Project had the honor of helping preserve the memory of Private Edward D. Gavin, a Civil War v...
06/02/2026

Morningstar Fallen Heroes Project had the honor of helping preserve the memory of Private Edward D. Gavin, a Civil War veteran who served with Company A, 14th Michigan Infantry.

Edward D. Gavin was born in 1830 and later made his home in Michigan. Civil War records list him as serving with Co. A of the 14th Michigan Infantry, a Union regiment made up of men who left their homes in Michigan to serve during one of the most difficult chapters in American history.

The 14th Michigan Infantry served in the Western Theater of the Civil War, where soldiers faced long marches, harsh weather, disease, separation from family, and the danger that came with serving on the front lines of a divided nation. These men carried the weight of duty with them far from home, and their service helped preserve the Union.

Edward survived the war and returned to Michigan. He passed away on August 9, 1891, in Saginaw County, Michigan, and was laid to rest at Surrey Township Cemetery in Farwell, Clare County, Michigan.

His marker reads:

EDWARD D. GAVIN
CO. A
14TH MICH. INF.

More than 130 years after his passing, his name still deserves to be seen, spoken, and remembered. Cleaning and caring for these stones is about more than removing dirt and age — it is about restoring dignity, honor, and visibility to the veterans who served before us.

Rest easy, Private Gavin. Your service is remembered. 🇺🇸

Morningstar Fallen Heroes Project
Honoring the fallen. Preserving their memory.

Morningstar Fallen Heroes Project had the honor of cleaning and preserving the headstone of Private Philo N. Smith a Civ...
06/01/2026

Morningstar Fallen Heroes Project had the honor of cleaning and preserving the headstone of Private Philo N. Smith a Civil War veteran who served with Company B, 5th Michigan Cavalry.

Philo N. Smith was a young Michigan man when he answered the call to serve the Union during the Civil War. Records list him as serving in Co. B of the 5th Michigan Cavalry, one of Michigan’s hard-riding cavalry regiments. These men were called on for scouting, raids, screening movements, guarding lines, and fighting in some of the most dangerous and historic campaigns of the war.

The 5th Michigan Cavalry served in major Civil War campaigns and was part of the hard-fought cavalry operations that helped shape the final years of the conflict. Men like Philo endured long marches, harsh weather, dangerous combat, separation from home, and the uncertainty that came with serving during one of the most difficult chapters in American history.

His headstone may be simple, but what it represents is powerful:

PHILO N. SMITH
CO. B
5TH MICH. CAV.

More than 150 years after the Civil War, his name still stands as a reminder of service, sacrifice, and duty. Cleaning this stone is about more than restoring marble — it is about making sure his memory does not fade with time.

It was an honor to help bring dignity back to Private Smith’s marker and to share his story.

Rest easy, Private Smith. Your service is remembered. 🇺🇸

Morningstar Fallen Heroes Project
Honoring the fallen. Preserving their memory.

This is one of the most touching headstone ive cleaned at Morningstar Fallen Heroes Project and helping preserve the he...
05/31/2026

This is one of the most touching headstone ive cleaned at Morningstar Fallen Heroes Project and helping preserve the headstone of Joseph Grove, a Civil War veteran buried at Riverside Cemetery in Mount Pleasant, Michigan.

Joseph Grove was born on October 21, 1842, in Fostoria, Ohio, to German parents. Soon after the Civil War began, he enlisted at Tiffin, Ohio, serving with Company E, 49th Ohio Volunteer Infantry. His service was not easy or short Joseph served for four years, took part in multiple hard-fought battles, and endured one of the darkest chapters of the war.

During his service, Joseph was captured at New Hope Church and spent more than ten months as a prisoner at Andersonville Prison, one of the most infamous Confederate prison camps of the Civil War. Despite those hardships, he survived, returned home, and later married Edith Annetie Peters on May 11, 1869, in Findlay, Ohio. Together, they built a life and raised a family, eventually moving to Michigan in 1893.

Standing at his grave was a powerful reminder that every stone has a story. Under the weathering, staining, and years of age was the name of a man who served, suffered, survived, and helped preserve the Union.

It is an honor to bring dignity back to these markers and make sure veterans like Joseph Grove are not forgotten.

Honoring Joseph Grove
Company E, 49th Ohio Infantry
Civil War Veteran
Buried at Riverside Cemetery — Mount Pleasant, Michigan

— Morningstar Fallen Heroes Project

I’ve had quite a few people reach out asking how they can help support the headstone cleaning and restoration work I’ve ...
05/31/2026

I’ve had quite a few people reach out asking how they can help support the headstone cleaning and restoration work I’ve been doing through Morningstar Fallen Heroes Project and I just want to say thank you. The encouragement, kind words, and support mean more than you know.

When I started doing this, I wasn’t looking for help, donations, or recognition. I simply wanted to honor these veterans and make sure their final resting places were cared for with the respect they deserve. Over time, this work has grown into something very meaningful to me, and it has been humbling to see others want to be part of it.

Every marker tells a story, and every veteran deserves to be remembered. Being able to help clean and preserve these headstones is my small way of showing gratitude for their service and sacrifice.

For those who have asked what supplies are needed or how they can contribute, I have created

an Amazon Wish List with some of the cleaning supplies and tools used for this work.

Some of the items will include soft brushes, approved cleaners, gloves, spray bottles, towels, and other supplies that help make this work possible.

Thank you again to everyone who has supported, shared, encouraged, or trusted me with caring for these graves. I truly appreciate it, and I’m honored to continue doing this work.

Morningstar Fallen Heroes Project
Honoring the fallen, one marker at a time.

William Shaw Thomas, remembered on his bronze marker simply as William Thomas, served our country in the United States A...
05/30/2026

William Shaw Thomas, remembered on his bronze marker simply as William Thomas, served our country in the United States Army during World War II. Born around 1925, he was part of the young generation called to serve during one of the most defining conflicts in American history. Cemetery records from Riverside Cemetery in Mt. Pleasant identify him as Native American and show that he passed away in Detroit on May 15, 1979, at the age of 54, and was laid to rest in Mt. Pleasant on May 18, 1979.

His marker may be simple, but it carries a powerful reminder: a name, a branch of service, a war, and a life that deserves to be remembered. Today we honor William Thomas not only as a World War II Army veteran, but as a man whose resting place deserves dignity, care, and remembrance.

Today, Morningstar Fallen Heroes Project had the honor of cleaning and preserving the headstone of Frank Conrad, a veter...
05/30/2026

Today, Morningstar Fallen Heroes Project had the honor of cleaning and preserving the headstone of Frank Conrad, a veteran of the Spanish-American War.

Frank served with Company H, 33rd Michigan Infantry, one of Michigan’s volunteer infantry regiments raised during the Spanish-American War. The 33rd Michigan was organized in 1898 and became part of Michigan’s contribution to a short but significant conflict that helped shape America’s role on the world stage. Michigan’s 33rd and 34th Infantry served during the Cuba campaign, where soldiers faced not only the dangers of war, but also brutal heat, harsh conditions, and disease that affected many men in service.

More than 125 years later, Frank Conrad’s name is still carved into stone — a quiet reminder that every veteran’s story matters. His marker had become weathered with time, but with some care and patience, his name and service became visible again. That is the heart of this project: making sure these men and women are not forgotten.

It was an honor to clean Frank Conrad’s headstone and help bring dignity back to his final resting place. His service, sacrifice, and place in history deserve to be remembered.

Rest easy, Frank Conrad. Your service has not been forgotten.

Morningstar Fallen Heroes Project
Honoring the fallen, one stone at a time.

Today’s cleaning was for Eslie John Harvey, a Michigan World War I veteran.Eslie was born April 18, 1894, and passed awa...
05/29/2026

Today’s cleaning was for Eslie John Harvey, a Michigan World War I veteran.

Eslie was born April 18, 1894, and passed away May 25, 1957. His marker identifies him as a Private in Company G, 77th Infantry, serving during World War I.

Over time, his stone had become darkened by weather, dirt, moss, and age, making his name and service harder to see. After a careful cleaning, his marker is readable again — and that is exactly why this work matters.

A grave marker is more than stone. It is a final record of a life, a name, and a service that deserves to be remembered.

Now, I will say this mission came with some unexpected opposition: fire ants. I showed up with brushes, cleaner, water, and respect. They showed up with numbers, attitude, and a full battle plan. At one point, I’m pretty sure they were defending that grave like it was their assigned post.

But even with a few bites and some questionable dance moves, the job got done.

It was an honor to clean Eslie John Harvey’s marker and help bring his name back into view.

This is what Morningstar Fallen Heroes Project is about — honoring veterans, preserving their markers, and making sure their service is never forgotten.

If you know of a veteran’s grave that needs attention, please send me the name and cemetery location.

Never forgotten. Always honored.






Morningstar Fallen Heroes Project had the honor of cleaning and helping preserve the headstone of James N. Slater, a Civ...
05/28/2026

Morningstar Fallen Heroes Project had the honor of cleaning and helping preserve the headstone of James N. Slater, a Civil War veteran laid to rest at Riverside Cemetery in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan.

James N. Slater was born on May 10, 1839, and passed away on March 25, 1933, living nearly 94 years and passing away due to myocarditis.His headstone identifies him as having served with Battery F, 1st Regiment Michigan Light Artillery during the Civil War. The small G.A.R. star above his name stands for the Grand Army of the Republic, an organization made up of Union veterans after the war.

Battery F was part of Michigan’s contribution to the Union Army, serving as light artillery during one of the most difficult chapters in our nation’s history. Men like James Slater left behind their homes, families, and everyday lives to serve during a war that shaped the future of the United States.

More than 90 years after his passing, his name still deserves to be seen, remembered, and respected. Cleaning this headstone is about more than removing dirt, growth, and age — it is about making sure his service and sacrifice are not forgotten.

Rest easy, James N. Slater. Your service is remembered.

Morningstar Fallen Heroes Project
Honoring the fallen. Preserving their memory. One headstone at a time.

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22 Veteran Way
Clare, MI
48617

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