We met the amazing Homeschoolers Honoring Ancestors in March when they volunteered to clean headstones at Odd Fellows Cemetery. Their genuine interest, attentive listening, and careful work impressed us all, and I was delighted when the Beam family reached out again about another H.H.A. visit. This time, the students wanted to start their service day by conducting an oral history interview of Senior Force member Castonoble Hooks!

With their work day so close to Veterans Day, I asked if the students would be interested in planning something to honor Odd Fellows’ vets, and the Beams readily agreed. They sent a list of the interview questions in advance, and I supplied a short roster of the soldiers we know are buried in Odd Fellows, including Spanish-American War veteran Willie Gay.

On the morning of November 14, Cass Hooks and Briggs Sherwood met the homeschoolers at Odd Fellows under a clear, but chilly, sky. Vicki Cowan, great-granddaughter of Samuel and Annie M. Vick, came to bear witness, as did Chris Facey, the photographer who has captured so many of our impactful moments. Drew Wilson of the Wilson Times also came.

The children set out a chair for Mr. Hooks, then fanned several chairs across from him.

Here’s what Cass Hooks had to say: “Yesterday was one of most memorable days of my life! These wonderful young people requested an interview to learn about me and my life and work! They are a homeschooled group of very intelligent and socially conscious young people. They came last year with knowledge and enthusiasm to our cleanup. They showed such maturity then, brought me to tears the concern they displayed. But this time they were going to honor our Spanish-American War veteran Willie Gay. I was humbled when they requested to interview me. They were interested in me, my life, my work, my upbringing. There is no greater honor than to be of interest to the young for an old man. For a young person to think you have something to say that they would come on a cold morning to a cemetery to hear. Makes me proud of the path my ancestors placed me on so many years ago. Another generation touched by my love of community and heritage! This day was special on so many levels. The Lane Street Project has always been supported by the Senior Force. Now we have the Children of the Lane Street Project. They are the future!”

The Senior Force and Homeschoolers Honoring Ancestors, partners in preservation.

“It was fun! Taking notes, reading the poem. It was a fun experience,” said Eve Beam.

Placing a flag at Corp. Willie Gay’s headstone.

A student read A.E. Housman’s poem “Here dead we lie” at Corp. Willie Gay’s grave.

This is community, folks. And we love to see it.

In two months, Lane Street Project will begin its sixth cleanup season. If you and your friends or colleagues have come out before, we welcome you back. If you’ve never been, we beckon you to come forward. Our most enduring partnerships have been with young people — these homeschoolers, the students of Greenfield School, the undergraduates of Barton College. They are eager to learn about the history of their community and to contribute in any way they can to preserve that history. Won’t you join them?

Photos courtesy of Chris Facey.