Saw dad, a forgotten PFC from WWI, and a sailor from WWII all in one day

[Omaha Steve]

I felt this called for a new post.

Marta and I walked up the hill to see dad in the Garden of Time section of the cemetery. He got a new flag in his WWII Vet flag holder. It's his first Memorial Day with mom at his side. We cleaned up the headstone 1/2 covered in grass clippings. We walked over to see my grandparents 10 steps away. We had to hunt to find Aunt Julie. She is in the same section farther down the hill and to the right of mom & dad. While looking for her, we came across a grave that you could tell doesn't get any visitors. He was a PFC in WWI. I guess there is no family left to remember him. I wish we had had another flag for him. I might take one up after I finish my shift at work tomorrow. I can spare the 1/2 hour of my time.

More info about the visit to the lone Vet in a small out in the country family cemetery here: http://www.democraticunderground.com/10022902863

OS

[southernyankeebelle]

1. Here in my little rural town these small churchs around here have graves. What they do

is collect once a year and family can contribute for the upkeep of the graves. You can give what you can afford to give. They have a life time of upkeep if everyone contributes. The graves look nice. Someone comes over and cuts the grass. Individual maintence of the marks is your responsiblities. They even put flags of the Vets graves. It's a nice idea. We don't even have to pay for a plot.

[Anansi1171]

2. Was at the VA for a Pre-op and surgery this week and met a 92-year old WW2 Vet

He fought against Rommel. I hope he has a great Memorial Day.

[MADem]

3. I guess they don't 'do' the town/county budget for those kinds of things?

In my area, the communities fund flag placement at appropriate holidays--doesn't matter if the cemetery is public or private or religious.

[Omaha Steve]

4. This is how dad looked for his 19th memorial Day

He only had to wait a few weeks after passing for his first one.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

5. Thank you for making all those visits, my dear Omaha Steve...