Benton County to honor veterans at Crystal Lake Cemetery

Benton County’s Natural Areas, Parks & Events Department is preparing for a Memorial Day tradition: placing flags on the graves of military veterans laid to rest at Crystal Lake Cemetery. Members of the Oregon National Guard will place U.S. flags on the graves as part of a ceremony at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, May 20.

Crystal Lake Cemetery is a historic pioneer cemetery, with roots dating back to 1860. The land was deeded to Corvallis Masonic Lodge #14 and has been managed by Benton County since 2001.

Today, the cemetery reflects the region’s history, with generations of Benton County individuals and families laid to rest there. These include military veterans who served in conflicts across the nation’s history.

“It’s a historic cemetery with almost every aspect of our county’s history represented, including the veterans who were laid to rest here,” said Shane Galloway, the County’s Natural Areas, Parks & Events maintenance manager. “We manage this with a very small budget, and it takes quite a bit of work. Volunteers spend hundreds of hours each year helping care for the site.”

County staff and volunteers work year-round to maintain the grounds, ensuring the stories and service of those buried there are remembered.

This Memorial Day, the flag placement serves as a visible reminder of service and sacrifice, connecting the community to its past while honoring those who served.

Watch a drone flyover of Crystal Lake Cemetery | View photos from Memorial Day 2023