• Oakfield High School National Honors Society students honored veterans by cleaning headstones at Avoca Cemetery, giving back to past generations
• The event was led by student Maddie Meredith, who highlighted the importance of continued acts of service for the next generation.
• Cleaning allows families and friends visiting the cemetery to have a respectful and clean space to remember their loved ones, especially as Veterans Day approaches.

(The following is a transcript of the full broadcast story)

Fond du Lac County, WI – National Honors Society students at Oakfield High School are honoring veterans in a unique way: by cleaning headstones at Avoca Cemetery. The group gathered Saturday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., cleaning and restoring headstones to honor those who served.

“These kids have hearts of gold and they are ready to serve,” said Molly Liebelt, district assessment coordinator and curriculum advisor.

The effort was led by Maddie Meredith, president of Oakfield High School’s National Honors Society. She says the group’s motivation comes from a sense of responsibility to the generations that came before them.

“There have always been good people here who did things for us when we were younger. This shouldn’t stop us from doing things for the next generation as well,” Meredith said.

Avoca Cemetery is the final resting place for hundreds of veterans. Ryan Vielbig, a member of the National Honors Society, said even small acts of service, like cleaning headstones, make a difference. “They’re all important for their own reasons, so it’s nice to give back, even if it’s as simple as cleaning their graves,” she said.

Mackenzie Liebelt, another Oakfield High student and member of the National Honors Society, emphasized the importance of maintaining a respectful space for those visiting loved ones. “When they come here and try to communicate with their loved ones, they can have a nice, clean space to do that,” she said.

As Veterans Day approaches on November 11, area communities continue to find ways to honor local heroes. For more updates on Veterans Day events, continue to visit our website at NBC26.com.