Cemetery needs some attention

Dear Mr. Editor,

I often go walking through the Miriam Cemetery for exercise as do so many others. But when I compare it to the cemetery across the road, it breaks my heart. That cemetery is so well kept.

The city cemetery needs many volunteers to help keep it up. There are way too many peony bushes that are over taking the stones. Some stones you would not even know are there. Many saplings are no longer saplings but trees. These are also taking over stones to the point of tipping them over. The over growth is extreme.

There are also stones from the 1800s World War Veterans from WWI and II. No one to care for these stones. Some markers are placed but the person’s information has been washed off. Maybe this bothers me, to see what the cemetery looks like, since I lost my spouse just months back.

Family members need to go visit their loved ones’ grave and clean up around it. Then clean around the stones on either side. I know some will say someone is being paid to do this but if you haven’t been there in a while maybe you should visit. You will find large bushes full of bag worms and dead trees here and there.

I would think for patches the Boy Scouts or even Girl Scouts could take this on as a project. I know there are many clubs and associations that also could maybe help pick up the trash, cans, and bottles that have been thrown down. Is there any reason why the county inmates could not come out, under close supervision, and work at this project?

These people no longer have a voice so I am speaking for them.

–– Patricia Smith