Ardmore’s historic Rose Hill Cemetery was established in 1893 and has been the burial ground for many Civil War soldiers from the local Confederate Home.  When Butch Bridges saw the tombstones of these veterans were being held together with rebar and bailing wire, he felt moved to restore them to honor the memories of the soldiers they represented.

Although he would donate his labor, there would be expenses in creating new markers that were exact replicas of the originals, so he began raising funds from a variety of sources.  Money came in from as far away as California to replace 50 headstones, and a fellow veteran, Doug Williams, stepped forward to build molds for the bases of the markers and get it all set up at the cemetery.

On Memorial Day and Veteran’s Day this year, poignant rededication services were conducted at the cemetery and history was preserved.  One of our judges commented that this was a beautiful labor of love by two men who would be the pride of any community. 

Butch Bridges and Doug Williams, for the excellence in craftsmanship and caring exhibited by both of you, and for being a comforting inspiration to all veterans and their families, we proudly salute both of you tonight!