Nicholas Pinkerton cleans a soldier's grave.
Shutterstock.com (flag); Warriors Remembrance and Research Foundation, Inc. (Nicholas Pinkerton)
Honoring Heroes
Early last year, Nicholas Pinkerton noticed a big problem. The graves of many veterans near his hometown of Spring Branch, Texas, were covered in weeds. Some of the gravestones were leaning over. Nicholas couldn’t believe it.
“These veterans risked their lives for our freedom,” says the 11-year-old.
With his dad’s help, Nicholas set out to clean veterans’ graves across Texas.
Celebrating Veterans
In March 2024, Nicholas started the Warriors Remembrance and Research Foundation. The group works to clean community cemeteries. That’s where most of the nation’s veterans are buried. Many community cemeteries aren’t as well cared for as bigger national ones. Those are run by the U.S. government.
Enter Nicholas and his dad, who served in the U.S. Air Force. They spend almost every weekend at community cemeteries. The pair scrub many veterans’ gravestones. They also place a special medal near each one. It says what branch of the military the veteran served in.
Today Nicholas cares for nearly 600 graves in 13 cemeteries. He says people who serve our country deserve respect.
“All veterans should be remembered,” Nicholas says.
1. What big problem did Nicholas Pinkerton notice last year?
2. What is the goal of the Warriors Remembrance and Research Foundation?
3. Based on the article, why is it important to Nicholas to care for veterans’ graves?
