The Genealogy Society of Southern Illinois invites the membership and general public to attend a presentation by Richard Kuenneke, a member of the Mound City National Cemetery Preservation Commission. The presentation takes place at John A. Logan College in Carterville on Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023 at 10 a.m.

Rich will present "A Gathering of Stories: The Mound City National Cemetery". Topics include the cemetery's establishment out of necessity during the Civil War when a large military hospital stood nearby. Richard will also explore the post-war reburial program and explain why there are 2,700 unknown burials.

Other stories include the last Civil War veteran buried in a national cemetery, the beloved cemetery caretaker's tragic death in 1899, the general and his wife who knew Abraham Lincoln, and the story of a 20-year-old Mounds, Illinois Marine killed in Korea who earned the Distinguished Service Cross.

The presentation will also explain the different types of headstones and the meaning behind various engravings. Richard uses historic images and documents in a production recognized for its stunning visuals.