As unfortunate as it may seem, it is become widely known that unscrupulous individuals are going through cemeteries and removing bronze markers.  These markers are expensive and are being sold as scrap.

Recently one of our members visited a relatives grave and noted that the bronze grave marker plaque had been removed from a flat tombstone.  At first he thought maybe it just became detached.  However upon inspection, the bolts which fastened the plaque to the marker had also been removed, so it was deliberate.

Recently the Cincinnati Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution has stopped using bronze plaques and instead have been installing flat granite markers which are flush with the ground.  Our hope is that these markers will stay there.  They are heavy and have little to no scrap value.

Sad chain of events that people have resorted to dishonoring our loved ones memory and removed pieces of history which tell a little more about their life story.

The email which I received is captured below was sent by Mike Gunn, the Cincinnati Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution – Graves Committee Chairman.  Mike is aware of this happening, however the example below is connected to one of our local members.

Bronze Theft from Cemeteries

John Casper HOUNSHELL/HOUNDSHELL P-327868 a Patriot Ancestor of Cincinnati Chapter SAR member Rod Hounshell was buried in Virginia and Rod visited the grave site to find the large SAR Bronze was missing. Some thought one of the recent violent storms washed off the Lug. Upon close examination of the recent photo Patriot Grave Committee Chairman Mike Gunn observed not even the bolts/screws are also gone, unlikely caused by a weather event.

PRS Photo of SAR Marker at the Gravesite prior to 2020: (note bronze marker attached below the headstone)

Photo of SAR Marker at the Gravesite 2025: (note the SAR bronze plaque missing)

Bronze Lug Theft ………. Why using lugs is questionable!!!!! And this is why we in Cincinnati use Granite for making our SAR markers.