Faith Emblems on VA Headstones: What Those Symbols Mean and How I Clean Around Them

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I remember the first time I really messed up a faith emblem. Back in 2003, I was working on a Civil War veteran's marble marker in a small cemetary outside Richmond. The family had requested I clean the Cross of Lorraine carved into the top — it was covered in black lichen. I was young, cocky, and grabbed a stiff nylon brush. Thought I knew better. Scrubbed too hard on the edge of that cross. Took off a chip of stone about the size of my thumbnail. Felt like a knife in my gut. The family didn't notice, but I did. Every time I see a cross on a VA stone now, I remember that mistake. You don't rush a symbol. You respect it.

Faith emblems on VA headstones — there's 63 officially approved ones as of 2024. They're not just decorations. They're the last public statement a veteran made about what they believed. And when you're cleaning around them, you're handling something sacred. I've spent 20 years restoring these markers, and I've learned that the cleaning method depends as much on the symbol as the stone. Let me walk you through what these emblems mean and how I keep them clean without damaging a thing.

The Most Common Faith Emblems on VA Headstones

You'll see alot of Latin Crosses — that's the standard for Christian veterans. But there's also the Star of David for Jewish veterans, the Islamic Crescent and Star, the Buddhist Wheel of Dharma, the Wiccan Pentacle, the Atheist Symbol (that stylized A), and even the Hindu Om. Each one has different carving depth and detail. The Cross is usually a deep, clean cut. The Pentacle? That's a shallow, delicate line — easy to damage if you're not carefull. The VA also allows emblems for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the Angel Moroni), the Presbyterian Cross (with the Celtic knot variations), and the Russian Orthodox Cross. I've cleaned all of them. The shallowest carvings I've seen are on the Humanist emblem — that stylized H — and the Buddhist lotus. Those need the lightest touch.

My Go-To Cleaning Method for Faith Emblems

First thing: I never use anything harsh. No household cleaners, no bleach, no acids. Those eat the stone and fade the emblem. Period. I use D/2 Biological Solution — that's a pH-neutral, non-ionic cleaner that kills biological growth without harming the carving. I mix it with water according to the label (usually 1:1 for tough lichen, but I dilute it more for delicate emblems). I spray it on the entire headstone, let it sit for 10 minutes. Then I take a soft natural-bristle brush — horsehair or tampico — and work around the emblem in slow, circular motions. For deep grooves in a cross or the Star of David, I use a wooden toothpick or a soft plastic scraper. Never metal. Never wire. Took me three tries to get that right. Worth it.

Here's the trick: I always clean the emblem area last, after the rest of the stone. Why? Because when you rinse, the dirty water runs down. If you clean the emblem first, that runoff can leave a stain right in the carving. Rinse with a gentle spray from a hose — no pressure washer. That'll blast the detail right out of the stone. I've seen guys do that. Big mistake. Never again.

Special Care for Different Stone Types and Emblem Depths

Most VA headstones are marble or granite. Marble is soft — it scratches and etches easy. Granite is harder but still porous. The emblem on marble is usually cut deeper, but the stone itself is more fragile. On granite, the emblem might be sandblasted shallow. I've cleaned a marble marker with a shallow Cross of Lorraine that was almost worn smooth — had to use a soft sponge and barely any pressure. For granite, I can use a slightly stiffer brush, but I still avoid anything abrasive.

One thing nobody talks about: the paint. Some VA emblems are painted — black or gold leaf. You can't use any solvent on those. The paint will peel. I stick to D/2 and water only. If the paint is chipping, I tell the family to contact the VA for a replacement. I don't touch it. Not my job. I'm a cleaner, not a painter.

When to Call a Professional vs. DIY

If the emblem is covered in thick lichen or moss that's growing into the carving, call someone who knows what they're doing. I've spent hours on a single emblem, picking out growth with a bamboo skewer. A family member with a wire brush will ruin it in 30 seconds. Also, if the stone is leaning, cracked, or the emblem is flaking, don't clean it at all. That's structural damage. You need a conservator. I've had to turn down jobs because the stone was too fragile. Better to walk away than to make it worse.

For DIY: use D/2, soft brush, gentle rinse. Test on a small spot first. And never, ever clean on a hot sunny day. The solution dries too fast and leaves residue. I always work in the shade or early morning. That's not a tip you'll find on a bottle. That's 20 years of sunburn talking.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I use a pressure washer to clean a faith emblem on a VA headstone?

A: No. Never. Pressure washers blast away the stone's surface, especially on marble and sandstone. I've seen them turn a crisp cross into a blurry mess. Stick to a garden hose with a gentle spray nozzle.

Q: What's the best cleaner for a gold-leaf faith emblem?

A: Gold leaf is extremely delicate. I only use water and a soft microfiber cloth — no D/2, no soap. Just damp cloth, gentle wipe. If it's dirty, I spray a little water, let it sit, and dab. No scrubbing. Gold leaf will flake off if you look at it wrong.

Q: How often should I clean the faith emblem on my veteran's headstone?

A: Once a year is plenty, unless it's in a damp, shady spot. I do mine every spring. Overcleaning wears the stone. Let the D/2 do the work — don't scrub more than you have to.

Q: The emblem on my VA headstone is barely visible. Can I recarve it myself?

A: Don't. Recarving a faith emblem requires a sandblaster or pneumatic chisel. One wrong move and you've got a scar on the stone. The VA offers free replacement headstones for veterans. Contact the local VA office or the cemetery. They'll handle it.

Q: Is it okay to use vinegar or baking soda on a stone emblem?

A: No. Vinegar is acidic — it etches marble and limestone. Baking soda is abrasive. Both can dull the carving. Stick to a pH-neutral stone cleaner like D/2. It's what I use on every job, from Civil War markers to modern granite.