Departments: Ag Education: Seneca FFA

Seneca FFA members removed unwanted plants as part of the 1st Annual Illinois FFA Day of Service at Camp Butler National Cemetary in Springfield

Seneca FFA Participates in Day of Service

Historic Camp Butler

by Jeff Maierhofer

June 09, 2008

Fourteen Seneca FFA members and advisor Jeff Maierhofer participated in the first annual Illinois FFA Day of Service at Camp Butler National Cemetery in Springfield, Illinois. The event included over two hundred Illinois FFA members who came to Springfield on the day prior to the beginning of the State FFA Convention to lend a hand to the community, not only the cemetery, but also Habitat for Humanity, a food bank and local parks.

Seneca High School Miranda Petterson pauses in remembrance with her fellow FFA members at the gravesite of her Great Uncle Kenneth Ward. Mr. Ward served in the Korean Conflict and is buried at Camp Butler in Springfield where Seneca FFA participated in a Day of Service

Several thousand Illinois veterans are buried at Camp Butler which was first used during the Civil War. FFA members learned the history of the camp and cemetery and lent a solemn hand to improve its already pleasing appearance in spite of the recent heavy rains.

Jon Harty, Seneca High School student remarked, "I was very proud to be able to do this today. We were able to help this community and show our appreciation to the people who are laying here and have served our country."

Rain caused the postponement of several tasks to be completed at Camp Butler, but several areas were still able to be beautified by Seneca FFA Members.