Events & Projects
As mentioned on our About Us page part of the association’s objective is to perpetuate the memory and genealogy of the ancestors and descendants of Juan de Cuevas. As an association we accomplish this by putting on and taking place in public and private events, we also exucute projects that contriubuet to this objective. Below is all the past, present, and future events and projects of the association.
Events
2018 Wreaths Across America
Per the Wreaths Across America website – Each December on National Wreaths Across America Day, our mission to Remember, Honor and Teach is carried out by coordinating wreath-laying ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery, as well as at more than 1,400 additional locations in all 50 U.S. states, at sea and abroad.
Wreaths Across America event took place at Rotten Bayou on December 15, 2018. Some of the Descendants were present at the event and some was included in the presentation. The entire event was a success with a great turn out.
3rd Annual Pilgrimage to the Tomb of the Unknown Confederate Soldier
The ceremony of awarding the grand decoration of chivalry took place at the Beauvoir Memorial Cemetery on February 16th, 2019. Some of the Descendants were in attendance to witness this glorious and historical ceremony.
2019 Wreaths Across America
Per the Wreaths Across America website – Each December on National Wreaths Across America Day, our mission to Remember, Honor and Teach is carried out by coordinating wreath-laying ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery, as well as at more than 1,400 additional locations in all 50 U.S. states, at sea and abroad.
Wreaths Across America event took place at Rotten Bayou on December 14, 2019. Some of the Descendants were present at the event and laid wreaths and roses on graves of ancestors that served in the Civil War The entire event was a success with a great turn out.
4th Annual Pilgrimage to the Tomb of the Unknown Confederate Soldier
The Descendants of Juan de Cuevas Family Association participated on February 15, 2020, in the wreath-laying and Vice President Michael Hoda presented the family wreath during the ceremony.
Projects
Juan and Marie’s Tomb Restoration
Our organization has raised funds and secured a grant through the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources to restore Juan and Marie’s tomb at Biloxi City Cemetery. Once the project is complete the Tomb will look very much like it did when it was originally constructed back in 1853. (Below is a video of the tomb in it’s current state and a picture of what the tomb looks like after restoration)
UPDATE: On January 26, 2019 the board of directors met with Mr. Nick Black of NOLA Cemetery Renewal who will be conducting the restoration of the tomb.
Here are a few videos from that meeting:
UPDATE: Mr. Black started work on the tomb April 1, 2019. Below are some videos and photos of the progress of the restoration.
To see more of Nick’s work check out his Facebook page and his website
(All videos and photos courtesy of Ms. Chris Cahill)
UPDATE: Our board of directors and association officers met with members of Biloxi Main Street and Mississippi Gulf Coast Heritage Area (Program under Department of Marine Resources) on March 7, 2018, at DMR’s main office in Biloxi for a grant orientation meeting to discuss details about the grant and answer any questions. This meeting helped all parties involved come together and achieve some important steps in persevering not just a local Gulf Coast piece of history but a national treasure as the meeting was a true success for us all. For more information about Biloxi Main Street or Mississippi Gulf Coast National Heritage Area click their logos below to check out their websites.
UPDATE: Restoration of the tomb was completed on May 4, 2019, by Mr. Nick Black. On June 22, 2019, the association held a rededication memorial ceremony at the Old Biloxi Cemetery, below are videos from the ceremony.
(Video footage courtesy of Association Documentarian Ms. Chris Cahill and Professor Vincenzo Mistretta)
Children of Juan and Marie, Grave Restoration
In the summer of 2019 restoration and/or cleaning of the grave sites of all the children of Juan and Marie that have known locations will begin. The time frame of this project is unknown, however we hope to have all of the graves completed by end of 2019. Updates will be posted here and on our social media pages as they come available.
UPDATE: Children Francois, Helen, and Juan Jr. along with their spouses and many other descendants of Juan and Marie had their grave sites cleaned for the All Saints holiday by President Dorty Necaise, Vice President Michael Hoda, and Secretary Deron Cuevas. Below are a few photos that was captured as the work was completed.
John Cuevas and Jason Taylor Book Signing – Kiln, MS
On the evening of August 30th 2019 our association along with Hancock County Public Library System co-hosted a book signing for family author John Cuevas and photographer Jason Taylor at the Kiln Public Library. The event was a success as we had approximately 12 people in attendance. We plan to hold other book signings in the future at county and city libraries across the Mississippi Gulf Coast; check back here for updates and up coming book signings. Below is a few photos from the Kiln book signing.
2020 Wreaths Across America
Even though our nation has endured the COVID-19 pandemic this year’s Wreaths Across America Ceremony was still a success. The event took place on December 19, 2020 at Rotten Bayou Cemetery. Some of the Descendants were on hand at the event to speak will people about our association and their genealogy. (Videos of the ceremony can be found on our Facebook Page)
