By Laura Fitzgerald

The military monument at Riverlawn Cemetery in Marysville got a facelift recently thanks to the Marysville Lions Club, who spearheaded a community project to make the monument more accessible for all cemetery visitors.

In 2019, the Lions Club began the project of adding accessibility features to the monument, which was set in a grassy area without any sidewalks or level surfaces to access it. The COVID-19 pandemic delayed the project, but it was revived when the club received two grants this year totaling $6,300 from the Marysville Community Fund, which is managed through the Community Foundation of St. Clair County. The City of Marysville and Marysville Department of Public Works also provided cash and in-kind donations totaling about half of the project costs. 

“It was exciting to see the city, the Lions Club and the Community Fund all partner together to make sure that project was completed,” said Marysville Community Fund Committee Chair Nick Beaudry. “The core mission of the Community Fund is to support the organizations and individuals serving our community. Not only were we able to do with the Lions Club, but it gave us an opportunity to recognize the 10 individuals who sacrificed their lives serving and protecting our country.”

More on the Monument

The monument has stood sentry at the entrance of the cemetery since 1947. The Lions Club erected the monument in partnership with the City of Marysville to honor Marysville men who lost their lives during their military service in World War II. 

Nearly 25 years later, three more names were added for the young men who made the ultimate sacrifice in the Vietnam War. A plaque placed on the monument shares the name of each of the men, along with the location and date of their death. 

A handicap-accessible concrete sidewalk leading to the monument was recently installed, as well as a 20-foot sidewalk encircling the nearby flagpole. Two benches will soon be added.

“We wanted to ensure that visitors would be able to have free access to walk up to the monument and read the plaque on both the east and the west side and a little bit about each of the men,” said Project Chair and Lions Club Member Kirk Smith. “With the benches, visitors will be able to sit and reflect. It’s a beautiful view towards the river.”

The Lions Club held a rededication ceremony on October 7. Marysville Mayor Kathy Hayman, the American Legion Post 449 Commander Paul Sheldon, Beaudry and Smith spoke at the event. Organizers rang a bell and held a moment of silence for each of the men memorialized on the monument. The Marysville Troop 216 Scouts, members of the Legion and family members of the deceased service members also attended the ceremony. 

One Fallen Service Member’s Story, Told by his Nephew

Max Brockdorff attended the ceremony for his uncle, Seaman First Class William “Bud” Maxwell VonBrockdorff.

VonBrockdorff was killed off the coast of Sicily on July 10, 1943, aboard the USS Maddox. The destroyer was bombed by German aircraft and rolled over within two minutes, taking 210 of the ship’s 284 men with her. Their remains were never recovered; the men were categorized first as missing and then killed in action. VonBrockdorff left behind a wife and young daughter at home.

VonBrockdorff was one of four brothers, all of whom served in separate branches of the military. While Max Brockdorff never had the chance to meet his uncle, he heard stories from his father and older sisters about Uncle Bud’s prowess as a Golden Glove boxer and semi-professional baseball player in the Michigan-Ontario League. 

“That monument has always been sacred ground to our family and a lot of city residents. It was a very precious piece of property known as the ‘holy mound’. To have it redone the way it was, it’s fantastic,” Brockdorff said. “I appreciate the way the City of Marysville and the Lions Club has honored my uncle’s service.”

Brockdorff’s father and two remaining uncles passed away in the 2000s. One uncle moved to California and had his ashes scattered in the Pacific Ocean. The monument that honors Bud’s sacrifice and the other nine men whose lives were cut short overlooks the St. Clair River, the site where his other two brothers had their ashes scattered so they could be reunited with their siblings’ remains in the ocean.

“We need to remember their sacrifice as young men that protected our nation, protected our Constitution, and helped provide the freedoms that we live under every day,” Smith said. “The monument allows us to never forget them.”

To learn more or donate to the Marysville Community Fund, visit stclairfoundation.org/fund/marysville-community-fund/.