Adelante-Juntos President Robert “Veto” Cervantes and Sapper Association President Ernest Urquieta discussing ideas for the entrance. Photo by Nathaniel Lopez
By Nathaniel A. Lopez
Superior is in the midst of a revitalization era, which is something that Superior based non-profit, Adelante-Juntos President Robert “Veto” Cervantes, and Vice President Alex Romero are part of, in conjunction with a Missouri based non-profit, The Sapper Association, with former Superior resident and Army Veteran Ernest M. Urquieta as its President. Both organizations are taking on the task of restoring the local cemetery, which is to be renamed from the Fairfield Cemetery to the Superior Veterans and Community Cemetery. With the initiative developed by Cervantes and Romero, the undertaking was created with the idea of continuing to honor the loved ones and Veterans of Superior, who rest on the sacred ground of the cemetery.
In March, the initiative was brought to Mayor Mila Besich and the town council. Upon obtaining authorization, Sapper Association President Urquieta secured a memorandum of understanding to move forward with coordination, fundraising, and planning, with town leadership agreeing to take responsibility in getting the cemetery renamed.
The overall project will see a new Sunset Entrance with two stone pillars on both sides, an updated exit, and a new sign with the updated name. The old and falling chain-link fencing will be removed and replaced with a new fence. There are plans to build restrooms, as well as improve the interior roads. The project has been broken down into five phases. Phase One: social media awareness, network building, and fundraising. Phase Two: Sunset entrance and exit demolition and restoration. Phase Three: one mile of perimeter fencing will be demolished and restored. Phase Four: Restroom development and construction. Phase Five: interior access roads improvement.
“The cemetery reflects on the community, it’s time that we, as citizens take ownership of that,” commented Cervantes, “There’s about two or three 501 (c)(3) organizations in Superior, so we want to work together with them, maybe if we could pull all our heads together, we can do something and have a nice clean cemetery.”
Community involvement is key to this project, to build ownership, and pride in the work being done. The plans are to have Superior based welders, block layers, and design team. Adelante-Juntos has developed an initiative for families, business owners, and individuals to purchase a 10′ section of perimeter metal fencing for $225, which will include a metal 5”x8” placard that will be attached to the fence with family’s surname and year, if affiliated with the military, the proper seal will be added.
“This is not a project that is going to be done in three months, maybe the first phases will be done shortly after January,” commented Urquieta, “It’s a matter of everyone here coming together and doing what’s right for those residents and veterans that are buried in the cemetery.”
If you are interested in donating, or volunteering, please contact Robert “Veto” Cervantes at 520-827-1808 or Alex Romero at 480-383-3038. With the community involved, Superior can go forward together!