We Honor Our Military Veterans
Mt. Olivet is proud to be the final resting place for over 500 U.S. Military Veterans who honorably served in The War of 1812, The Civil War, The Spanish American War, World War I, World War II, The Korean War, The Vietnam War, The Persian Gulf War and during peacetime. We’re particularly proud that two of our veterans are Congressional Medal of Honor recipients, George Springer and John Kirk. What makes Mt. Olivet unique from national military cemeteries is that our veterans lie in peace eternally with their family members.
Our Burial Search function on this website can help locate these military as well as thousands of other citizens resting in peace.
Wreaths Across America
Mt. Olivet is proud to partner with Wreaths Across America, the well-known nonprofit organization, on their mission to honor veterans. Thanks to thousands of sponsors and volunteers, last year live balsam wreaths were placed at more than 2 million veterans’ gravesites at 4,900 locations across all 50 states, including Arlington National Cemetery.
You can join in honoring our 518 veterans by sponsoring one or more wreaths today for $17 each and volunteering to place them at their gravesites at Mt. Olivet on Sunday, December 13. Wreaths can be sponsored for specific individuals or unnamed veterans. If you can’t join us in December, others will place wreaths for you.
For every wreath sponsored for Mt. Olivet, the cemetery receives $5, which will be used to clean and restore veterans’ gravestones and maintenance well into the future.
Sam Brinley provides more information in his speech at the New Cumberland Memorial Celebration this past May. You can hear the speech at: https://youtu.be/dqreWoeJgc4?si=LuuuwAi2nQD88-zG
Visit our Wreaths Across America page to sponsor wreaths and more.
Veterans Memorial Event - May 21, 2026
Our annual salute to over 500 Military Veterans lying-in-peace at Mt. Olivet will be held Thursday, May 21, from 12noon to 2pm.
Join Veterans’ Families, American Legion and VFW members, Cedar Cliff JROTC Cadets and Wrestling Team, Scouts, and community leaders to give thanks, place small US flags on individual gravesites for the upcoming Memorial Day Weekend and salute our soldiers as a bright new US Flag is raised at the Memorial Flagpole and “Taps” echoes throughout the cemetery.
Click here for more information and to RSVP, or you can RSVP by emailing us or calling the office. Registration is requested but not required.
We thank WGAL for telling our story this past May…
https://www.wgal.com/article/pennsylvania-mount-olivet-cemetary-flags-placed-jrotc-honoring-veterans/64865704
And thanks to PennLive.com for capturing images…
Veterans Gravestone Cleaning Workshops
Veterans Gravestone Cleaning Workshops, led by Elaine Brinley, are held for those who want to give back to veterans and learn how to safely and effectively clean memorials using the same materials and methods used at Arlington National Cemetery. Thanks to volunteers in the workshops and those working on their own, more than 240 gravestones of veterans and their families have been cleaned over the past three years.
If you’re interested in volunteering on your own or want to schedule a private session with a group you belong to, please email us or call the cemetery at the address and number on the bottom of this page. Workshops will be scheduled based on interest and we’ll get back to you with details.
You can view a video of the cleaning process in the video below. In that section you can also donate to help fund more cleaning.
Veteran Gravestone Restoration Contribution Request
More than 240 gravestones of veterans and their families have been cleaned and restored thanks to volunteers, led by Elaine Brinley. We thank TE Connectivity and the many others who support their efforts. You can help support the cause by donating towards the purchase of special (and expensive) cleaning solvents (the same used at Arlington National Cemetery). As thanks for donations of $100 or more, volunteers will clean your family gravestone.
Please send donations to:
Mt. Olivet Veteran Cemetery Beautification Fund/Veteran Gravestone Restoration
PO Box 192
New Cumberland, PA 17070
Or donate online via PayPal!
