SPRINGVALE — A work party was toiling away at the Southern Maine Veterans Cemetery earlier this week, transplanting hydrangeas and lilies to a new space. The shrubs and flowers had grown too well for their original location, so are now going to be part of a berm separating a burial area from a planned memorial walkway.

Since its opening in 2010 to the end of September, the remains of 564 veterans or their dependents have been interred at the cemetery off Stanley Road, according to Dave Richmond, the superintendent of Maine’s four veterans cemeteries.

Soon, in addition to the marble stones that mark the resting place of those who served their country, families and military organizations will be able to purchase memorial stones that will line a walkway created specifically for the purpose.

Richmond said the memorials are appealing because they can be personalized ”“ perhaps with a special emblem ”“ that just can’t adorn the traditional marble stones provided by the federal government, because there isn’t the space available on them.

Those transplanting flowers on Wednesday agreed the memorial stones are popular with families of veterans buried at the cemetery, and may also prove popular with families whose loved ones are buried in a church or municipal cemetery, but want their loved one noted in the specially designated veterans cemetery.

On Wednesday, members of the cemetery’s veterans memorial committee were digging holes for plants and tenderly tucking them into the soil.

“I love working with the committee,” said member Phil Cabana, who is also involved with the Marine Corps League.

Ron Rivard was transplanting, as was his brother, Urbain, and daughter-in-law, Lindsay Rivard. The family will be purchasing a stone in memory of World War I veteran Henry Rivard.

The atmosphere was humid Wednesday ”“ the weather was almost tropical for October, which made for very warm working conditions, but the crews ”“ both committee members and groundskeepers employed by the cemetery ”“ didn’t seem to mind.

“I love working with the family,” said Lindsay Rivard.

As well as the stones, there are plans formulating for memorial paving stones or bricks, but the details of that project have not been finalized.

Jim Bachelder, who heads the cemetery memorial committee, said another project, to build a memorial to display military emblems, is also in the works.

To inquire about a memorial stone, contact Bachelder at 432-7127 or [email protected].

— Senior Staff Writer Tammy Wells can be contacted at 324-4444 (local call in Sanford) or 282-1535, ext. 327 or [email protected].