BUCYRUS—Eleven-year-old Cameran Rodgers visits Oakwood Cemetery on a regular basis but for different reasons than most people.
Cameran’s mission began in 2016, when he lived in Twinsburg with his family before moving back to Bucyrus.
“When he was seven, when Pokémon Go first came out, we started going to a cemetery in Twinsburg where there were Poké Stops. Cameran would always insist on getting out of the car and fixing the decorations and flags,” said April Rodgers Payne, Cameran’s mom. “I explained to him what the flags stood for and made him walk around the graves so he wouldn’t step on anyone! He has continued that since we moved back here.”
Cameran has his grandpa, Robert DeWalt, take him to Oakwood Cemetery while his mom is at work so he can carry on his community-style service.
April said Cameran walks around talking to and thanking soldiers while picking up trash, fixing the flags, flowers and decorations.
“He always starts at his cousins’ graves, Shawn and Danielle Higginbotham, then he just wanders all over from there,” said April.
He also visits the graves of his mom’s friends, Kendra and Wendy, who are buried at the cemetery.
“I fix the flowers and the flags on soliders’ graves and talk to them. Army, Marines, Navy and Air Force, I thank them for their service,” said Cameran.
Cameran was recently featured in a Facebook post when some local residents learned about his service at the cemetery.
“It makes me happy to help my community and I am happy that people like it when I do it,” said Cameran.