News & Recognition
Local coverage of Post 144's work in the Belmont community.
Operation Respect: restoring veterans' graves at Greenwood Cemetery
WSOC-TV · July 28, 2026
Post 144 launched Operation Respect, a project to locate, map, and restore more than 680 veterans' grave markers at Greenwood Cemetery that had become worn and unreadable over time. South Point High School's Naval JROTC students have been doing the hands-on work alongside the Post, using tools as simple as toothbrushes and sticks to clean decades of grime from the stones so the names of those who served can be read again.
The project was initiated by Post Commander Larry Mathis, who has a personal connection to the cause: his father served in World War II, and his brother was killed in the Vietnam War. "It's very personal," Mathis said of the effort.
Want to get involved?
Reach out to Post 144 to learn more about Operation Respect or how to support our veteran and community programs.
Meet our Post Commander: Larry Mathis →