Petition to Restore Dignity and Ensure Proper Stewardship of the Cemeteries at Weston State Hospital

To the Honorable Representatives of the State of West Virginia:

We, the undersigned, petition the State of West Virginia to transfer ownership of the three cemeteries at the former Weston State Hospital to the West Virginia State Hospital Initiative, Inc. (WVSHI, Inc.), a dedicated nonprofit organization committed to the respectful care, preservation, and dignity of these sacred grounds.

 

For decades, these cemeteries, where more than 2,300 individuals, including veterans, children, and patients from across West Virginia, are interred, have been neglected. Grave markers were removed, leaving those buried nameless and forgotten. These cemeteries, which should stand as sacred spaces for remembrance and reverence, instead reflect a failure to provide the consistent care required to honor the lives of those laid to rest.

 

While efforts have been made through partnerships such as the Friends of Sharpe Hospital Auxiliary, care for these cemeteries has remained inconsistent and dependent on funding. Regardless of intent, the results speak for themselves: the cemeteries are not being cared for to the standards these sacred grounds demand. This is not a reflection of effort but rather a structural issue that requires a dedicated, sustainable solution.

 

There is a better way. WVSHI, Inc., through its Project Dignity initiative, is ready to take full stewardship of these cemeteries, ensuring that they receive perpetual care, security, and respect without further burdening state resources.

 

If entrusted with ownership of these cemeteries, WVSHI, Inc. commits to:

1. Restoring dignity to every grave: Repairing and replacing markers to return names and identities to those buried.
2. Establishing perpetual care: Maintaining the cemeteries without reliance on state funding, providing a long-term solution to this issue.
3. Securing the grounds: Installing fencing and other protective measures to prevent trespassing, vandalism, and other forms of desecration.
4. Providing respectful public access: Allowing supervised visits while ensuring the sanctity of the grounds is preserved.
5. Honoring veterans: Partnering with the VA to provide proper headstones and recognition for all veterans interred.
6. Achieving historic designation: Recognizing these cemeteries as cultural and historical landmarks, preserving their legacy for future generations.

 

This transfer will provide significant benefits to the State of West Virginia, including:

• Financial savings: WVSHI, Inc. will assume all costs associated with the cemeteries, relieving the state of ongoing maintenance expenses.
• Enhanced care: A focused and dedicated organization will ensure these cemeteries are cared for at the level they deserve, setting a higher standard of respect and preservation.
• Long-term sustainability: By transferring ownership to WVSHI, Inc., the state ensures a sustainable, dedicated approach to maintaining these cemeteries, eliminating the need for future interventions or funding reallocations.

 

With this petition, we respectfully call upon the State of West Virginia to take decisive action:

• Transfer the Weston State Hospital cemeteries to WVSHI, Inc.
• Relieve the State of West Virginia of the financial burden of care while ensuring these cemeteries are properly maintained.
• Provide justice to the memory of those interred by restoring their dignity and preserving their legacy.

 

This is not merely about transferring land. This is about justice, humanity, and the moral obligation to treat cemeteries as sacred spaces. The time for half-measures is over. WVSHI, Inc. is prepared to take immediate, decisive action to honor those buried in these cemeteries and to protect their final resting place for generations to come.

 

By signing this petition, you join us in urging the State of West Virginia to make the right choice. Together, we can restore dignity to the forgotten, honor history, and ensure these sacred grounds are treated with the respect they so deeply deserve.

 

Sign today, and stand with us in this effort to preserve humanity, honor lives, and secure a future of dignity for all.