Wikispaces : Louisiana Cemetery Preservation : home - messages

home : Shell Mound Cemetery Damaged in May - Photos in August still reveal damage

wiki_master — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 17:47:10 GMT

You may view Jason O'Steen's photos of this damaged cemetery here:

http://louisiana-cemetery-preservation.ning.com/profile/JasonOSteen

What is the condition of this cemetery currently?

home : re: Breda town cemetery association contacts

wiki_master — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 17:32:43 GMT

home : re: Louisiana Cemetery Board Email Sent Today

wiki_master — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 17:21:18 GMT

EMAIL FROM LOUISIANA CRT OCTOBER 15, 2009

To Whom it may concern,
Earlier this week, an email was sent to the siteforms mailbox at
the Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism concerning the
Alphenia Plantation cemetery. Our office does not have a record of this
cemetery, nor do we have any record of an Indian mound in or immediately
adjacent to the town of Waterproof in Tensas Parish. It is certainly
possible that the cemetery is situated on a mound, simply that the mound
has not been reported to our office yet. If you would like assistance
in determining if an Indian mound is present on the property, you can
contact the Regional Archaeologist at the University of Louisiana at
Monroe. His name is Joe Saunders, and he can be reached at 318-342-1899
or saunders@ulm.edu.

Please let me know if I can be of any further assistance.

Chip McGimsey
Division of Archaeology
Office of Cultural Development
Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism
PO Box 44247
Baton Rouge, La. 70804
225-219-4600 (office)
225-342-4480 (fax)
225-454-9274 (cell)

-----Original Message-----
From: Nicole Hobson-Morris
Sent: Monday, October 12, 2009 11:17 AM
To: Chip McGimsey
Subject: FW: Contact form submission.

Hi Chip, can you review and assist, if possible? The individual is
looking for confirmation of an Indian Mound in Tensas Parish. Thanks.

-----Original Message-----
From: Linda Smith On Behalf Of Lt Governor Mitch Landrieu
Sent: Monday, October 12, 2009 10:46 AM
To: Nicole Hobson-Morris
Subject: FW: Contact form submission.

FYI and Response.

Thanks,

Linda C. Smith

Office of Lt. Governor Mitchell J. Landrieu

Office of the Secretary

Department of Culture, Recreation & Tourism

225.342.7009 Office * 225.342.1949 Fax

lsmith@crt.state.la.us

-----Original Message-----
From: siteforms@crt.state.la.us [mailto:siteforms@crt.state.la.us]
Sent: Sunday, October 11, 2009 12:18 PM
To: Lt Governor Mitch Landrieu
Subject: Contact form submission.

Name: Louisiana Cemetery Preservation
Email: louisianacemeteries@yahoo.com

There are recent photographs of Alphenia Plantation Cemetery in
Waterproof, LA, Tensas Parish. It's condition has been reported to the
AG's office, however, this may be a privately owned cemetery. I would
appreciate your office looking into a statement made by a member that
indicated this cemetery was located upon an Indian Mound. Thank You,
Louisiana Cemetery Preservation louisianacemeteries@yahoo.com
http://louisianacemeteries.blogspot.com
http://louisianagraveyardrabbit.blogspot.com
http://louisianacemeteries.angelfire.com
http://louisiana-cemetery-preservation.ning.com
See Ning Photos of Abandoned and Neglected Cemeteries in Louisiana.

CONCERNING BREDA TOWN CEMETERY

Desselles, Curtis (Northwestern State University and NPS-National Center for
Preservation Technology & Training)
“The Breda Town Cemetery Project”
Session IIA (Heritage Management & Meanings): 2:55-3:15 p.m.
Most thesis topics are conceived in an academic setting, but the Breda Town Cemetery
Project began as a request for assistance from the Breda Town Cemetery Association
(BTCA). The BTCA recognized that their cemetery was in a state of disrepair and
requested that Northwestern State University of Louisiana (NSU) document the burials,
assess the conditions of the burials, and research the origin of the community and the
adjacent cemetery. This work resulted in a model for the documentation of Southern
African-American cemeteries. There are many such models, but this cemetery is unique
in that it is non-denominational. Most African-American cemeteries are associated with a
church, but the Breda Town Cemetery consists of African-American, Creole, Chinese,
Russian, and other ethnic burials. This fact creates a setting that is unique and full of
contradictions. How does one document such a cemetery?
Page 9
1
st
Annual Louisiana Studies Conference
9
Northwestern State University • Louisiana Folklife Center
The primary survey consists of some basic demographic fields such as name, date of
birth, date of death, material type, and comments. This survey served as a tool to assess
the size and scope of the project. All of the burials were photographed with attention paid
to the markers as well as the tombs. These photographs were integral in categorizing
marker types. Out of 837 burials at the Breda Town Cemetery, 276 burials did not have
names. This amounts to 32% of the total burials. The ethnographic interviews allowed for
the identification of between 5-10% of the unknown burials.
The secondary survey (i.e., detailed survey) allowed for the assessment of the conditions
of the burials and also verified the accuracy of the primary survey. The secondary survey
gathered cultural data such as military service, organizational membership, religious
affiliation, and socioeconomic status. The deliverables consist of an inventory of the
burials in digital and hard copy formats, a digital copy of the photo documentation, and a
booklet, which documents the Breda Town community, cemetery, and the BTCA.

Accessed October 24, 2009
http://louisianafolklife.nsula.edu/assets/Uploads/ConferenceFullProgram2.pdf

Breda Town query cross posted to NING

home : American Slave Burial Project - From Sandra Arnold

wiki_master — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 16:36:22 GMT

FW: Recieved this email Oct 9, 2009 from:

SANDRA ARNOLD EMAIL arnold@fordham.edu

REMINDER FROM SANDRA ARNOLD

Thank you again for participating in my project.

This is just a friendly reminder that I need the completed entry form by October 30th. Receiving your information before or by this date will be a tremendous help for my presentation - which is tentatively scheduled for November 11th before the Fordham History and African American Studies faculty.

Please feel free to contact me if you have further questions.

Sincerely,
Sandra A. Arnold
Tel: (212) 568-1954
Cell: (646) 548-7037

American Slave Burial Database Project
(Entry Information)
Page 1

General Information

1)Name of Cemetery/Site:

2)Name/Contact info for this Cemetery/site:

3)Type:
(Example: Slave Cemetery, Plantation Cemetery, Freeman Cemetery)

4)Years of use:

5)Location:
(City, State, County)

6)Pertinent Landmark:
(Example: Next to a cotton field, under an oak tree, hilltop, etc.)

8)If needed in the future, can a map to this site be provided:

9)Current Association:
(Church, Family, Independent, Historical Organization, None, etc.)

10)Overview:
(full description & background about this site)

11)Oversight/Care:
(who provides upkeep for this site)

12)Historian:
(individual/organization that can provides historical or genealogical information about this site)

American Slave Burial Database Project
(Entry Information)
Page 2

Slave Graves

13)What evidence leads you to conclude these are slave graves:
(Example: Oral Tradition, Historical Documentation, Objects/Info left at the site, etc.)

14)Estimated number of total graves at this site:

15)Number of enslaved persons buried at this site:

16)Estimated number of unmarked graves of enslaved persons at this site:

17)Estimated number of marked graves of enslaved persons at this site:

18)Marked graves – what type of markers:

19)Do markers have legible inscriptions? If so, please describe:

20)Marked graves – what is the earliest death (year) recorded:

21)Marked graves – what is the earliest birth (year) recorded:

American Slave Burial Database Project
(Entry Information)
Page 3

Other Information

22)Are there graves of individuals who were not slaves at this site:
(Example: Slaveholders, Blacks who were not slaves at the time of their deaths, etc.)

23)If so, please provide details:

24)If needed, can digital pictures of this site be provided:

25)Please detail any other significant information about this site and its history:

American Slave Burial Database Project
(Entry Information)
Page 4

Entrant Information

26)Name/contact info of individual providing this entry:

home : Louisiana Cemetery Board Meeting Nov. 6, 2009

wiki_master — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 14:16:46 GMT

Friday, November 6, 2009
9:00 A.M
111 Veterans Memorial Boulevard
Heritage Plaza
18th Floor Conference Center
Metairie, Louisiana

Accessed October 24, 2009
http://www.lcb.state.la.us/news.php

home : EVENT: Oakland Cemetery News - Shreveport, LA

wiki_master — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 13:51:39 GMT

Oakland Cemetery News
Accessed October 24, 2009

http://www.oaklandcemeteryla.org/newsevents/news/09-10-20/Oakland_Cemetery_Tour_Event_to_Feature_Ladies_of_Oakland_on_All_Saints_Sunday.aspx

Oakland Cemetery Tour Event to Feature “Ladies of Oakland” on All Saints Sunday

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Oakland Cemetery will come to life on All Saints Sunday, November 1, from 1:30 to 4:00 p.m., as history students and community volunteers portray women buried in Oakland. “This year, the volunteers were predominantly female,” said Dr. Gary Joiner, who serves on the Oakland Cemetery Preservation Society Board and who coordinates the tour with his wife, Marilyn. Given the number of female volunteers, this year’s event focuses on women buried in Oakland Cemetery.

The tour is a benefit for the Oakland Cemetery Preservation Society (OCPS). Suggested donation is $10 for adults and $1 for children. Tourists at the event will receive a map and list of characters so that they may visit with each at their leisure. OCPS will greet visitors at the Milam Street gate of the cemetery , just north of the Municipal Auditorium . Information on the cemetery and OCPS will be available at that location. In the event of rain, the event will not be held.

Portraying Oakland “residents” will be living historians from LSU in Shreveport and community volunteers. These costumed characters will talk about themselves and their lives. They include: Patti Underwood as Ann Harris Leonard, mother of Albert Harris Leonard; Jessica Sims as Amazon A. Cole Jacobs; Leigh Tomb Messenger as Mary Bennett Cane; Ashley Cecil as Annie McCune; Alicia Gordy as Julia Rule; Kendra Cherie Gray as Amanda Clark; Whitney Adkins as Martha Anne Norsworthy Buckelew; Sara Bare as Ada Vincent Delay, and Ida M. Smith and Patti Knox, who will portray yellow fever victims. According to Joiner, a few “residents,” children who died during the yellow fever epidemic, will also appear. They are Joshua and Nicholas Nabors and Benjamin and Eric Miller.

All Saints Day is the day following Halloween and is a religious holiday in Western Christianity that commemorates the dead. “This is the perfect time to remember the people who are buried at Oakland whose lives are entwined with the history of Shreveport,” Joiner said. “As we learn about them, we learn about the rich history of Shreveport.”

Those who cannot attend but who wish to support the organization that is dedicated to the restoration of the cemetery can contribute online or send contributions to OCPS, P. O. Box 5221, Shreveport, LA 71135-5221.

Location of Cemetery URL:
http://www.oaklandcemeteryla.org/History/Location.aspx

END

home : re: Louisiana Cemetery Board Email Sent Today

jlcox — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 18:53:57 GMT

Hello,

I noticed an article online from The Natchitoches Times.com about two students from NSU working on Bredatown Cemetery project. I live in Houston, TX, but my grandfather (Buster Jackson)was buried in Bredatown Cemetery on January 13, 1973 - he died on January 5, 1973. I also have an Uncle (Horace Jackson), but I do not have any dates on his death, but I know his is buried in Bredatown. I wondering if you have any records OR pictures of headtombs for Mr. Buster or Horace Jackson. If so, please reply with the information. NOTE: Mr. Buster Jackson may not have a head stone, but if you know the location of his grave, I would like to provide a head stone for my grandfather. Thanks in advance for your quick reply.

Ms. Judy L. Cox
Houston, TX

home : Louisiana Cemetery Board Email Sent Today

wiki_master — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 20:09:51 GMT

Copy of email sent below:

Dear Louisiana Cemetery Board;

There are two new cemeteries being reported as neglected and in need of assistance. One is located in Catahoula Parish and is identified on the Louisiana Cemetery Preservation Ning here:
http://louisiana-cemetery-preservation.ning.com/forum/topics/old-cemetery-found
The other is located in Southwest Tensas Parish and has been indicated as "historical Indian mound".
URL: http://louisiana-cemetery-preservation.ning.com/forum/topics/old-cemetary-in-tensas-parish
Louisiana Cemeteries louisianacemeteries@yahoo.com

home : Historical sites under "Constant vandalism" St. Tammany Parish

wiki_master — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 15:10:24 GMT

Parker Cemetery

Tribe defends its gravesites
It is raising money to counter vandals
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
By Adam Duvernay
St. Tammany bureau

http://www.nola.com/news/t-p/sttammany/index.ssf?/base/news-8/1245735082193680.xml&coll=1

For the often-forgotten Chahta Indians who have inhabited the north shore for thousands of years, the constant vandalism of their ancestral gravesites is looked on as simply another attack on their quickly vanishing culture.

At the Parker and Green cemeteries near Airport Road in Slidell, the ground holds the remains of thousands of members of the Tchefuncta Nation. The sites, which are part of the few land grants remaining under tribal control, are being systematically robbed of their treasures, which are then sold on the black market, tribe officials say.

After last weekend's powwow of the tribe's chief and elders, the tribal leaders decided to levy a new $10 monthly tax on the Chahta community to raise money to restore and protect the cemeteries.

Though the cemeteries look quiet at a glance, closer inspection reveals many of the graves have been broken into. Ancient clothing, beads and treasures as well as the bones of the deceased have been targeted by grave robbers as far back as the 1970s.

Elwin Green Gillum, known as Chief Warhorse, said the crimes are nothing new and threaten one of the most important aspects of her people's culture.

"The graves I am taking care of are the last of our old people," Warhorse said. "It's a shame when you have to say you need to protect your dead."

Warhorse said her family had trouble protecting their burial sites when she was younger.

Though the cemeteries once had only traditional burial mounds, grave robbing forced the tribe to lay concrete over some of the mounds in the 1970s.

At the time, she didn't understand why anyone would steal the remains of her ancestors.

After traveling the country and speaking to anthropologists, Warhorse discovered a market for American Indian artifacts with buyers including even those involved in museums and universities.

"It's not just here, it's happening all over the country," said Joseph Yarbrough, historian and president of the Fort Pike Foundation, which helps preserve Louisiana historical sites. "The value for authentic antiquities is very high right now."

Yarbrough said in the short time he has been working with Warhorse, he noticed blunt trauma to stone tombs and unearthed remains, signs the thieves know what they're after.

The grave robbers have not been identified, but Warhorse and Yarbrough speculate the incidents are perpetrated by multiple groups, ranging from local teenagers to amateur antiquities hunters.

Warhorse said she's found teenagers hanging out in her cemeteries at night and found graves disturbed the next day. When she reports teenage drinking and drug use to law enforcement authorities, Warhorse said patrols come by to check on the sites, but only for a short time.

A professional historian, Yarbrough said it is unethical and illegal for professionals to remove American Indian remains from their graves. Strict federal laws prohibit archeologists from wanton digs.

"If it is archeologists committing these crimes, they would have to be amateurs," Yarbrough said. "We understand the importance of leaving sites preserved."

In protecting their burial grounds, the Chahta Indians are essentially on their own. Though Warhorse has extensive records of her family's history in the region, the north shore Chahta are not eligible for state or federal assistance because they are not a recognized tribe.

The Louisiana Governor's Office of Indian Affairs knows the Chahta have a claim to the region and lists them as one of Louisiana's "other tribes" on their Web site. The state said the tribe must go through the application process before becoming eligible for assistance.

The tribe's only external aid is coming from the Fort Pike Foundation, which is raising money to put up a chain-link fence around Parker Cemetery and talking with the St. Tammany Sheriff's Office about patrols in the area.

"We have a very unique living history in Slidell and St. Tammany Parish, and we need to treasure it," Yarbrough said. "People are not aware of the value of our historical sites. It's like the chief said, 'If you forget who you are, who are you?' "

. . . . . . .

Adam Duvernay can be reached at adamduvernay@gmail.com or 985.898.4828.

home : Cemetery vandalism shocks family, on HoumaToday.com

wiki_master — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 23:03:56 GMT

Cemetery vandalism shocks family
http://www.houmatoday.com/article/20090618/ARTICLES/906189924/0/HURBLOG#
accessed: June 19, 2009

By Raymond Legendre
Staff Writer

Published: Thursday, June 18, 2009 at 11:00 a.m.
Last Modified: Thursday, June 18, 2009 at 11:17 a.m.

BAYOU BLUE — Like many people born and raised in south Louisiana, Paul Porche has special reverence for the family members who preceded him.

Click to enlarge
Family members Paula Ledet (from left), Paul Porche and Jannard Porche look at a damaged tomb Wednesday afternoon in St. Louis Cemetery in Bayou Blue.
Buy photo
Abby Tabor/Staff

Related Links:

* Police Report: June 1 - June 11
* Police report: June 1 - June10
* Arrests: June 7 - 9

So the sight of desecrated family graves at the St. Louis Catholic Church Cemetery on Bayou Blue Road this week left him hurt and confused.

“It’s just so disrespectful and shocking,” said Porche, a 37-year-old Houma resident. “I just can’t imagine why people would think to do something like that. It’s just unbelievable.”

Fifteen graves and tombs were reported damaged Tuesday morning at the cemetery. The damage ranged from broken vases to destroyed headstones.

Such crimes are rare in Lafourche Parish, with the last such instance occurring at Holy Rosary Church in Larose two or three years ago, church and law-enforcement officials said.

The graves of Porche’s grandparents, James and Elvira Porche, and his great-grandparents, Frank and Louisa Porche, were the only ones with “severe” damage, said George Cook, director of cemeteries for the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux.

State law defines desecration of graves as “the intentional or criminally negligent damaging in any matter, of any grave, tomb or mausoleum erected for the dead.” Anyone convicted of the crime faces a maximum jail sentence of six months and a maximum fine of $500.

Authorities are searching for the person or people involved with this week’s incident.

The nature of the damage suggests teenagers were involved, Lafourche Chief Deputy Bud Dill said.

“It appears these are things juveniles do when they are idle and in the wrong place at the wrong time,” Dill said.

Destroying graves is not a game, Cook added.

“It’s very serious and hurtful to families,” Cook said. “The way burials are made down here, you are keeping families together in death as well in life.”

Porche said he and his relatives occasionally visit the burial sites.

He recalled his grandparents for a short time during his childhood in Bayou Blue. They taught him about growing vegetables and tending a garden.

“They were very loving people,” Porche said. “We have a very close family, and I just hate to see this happen to our family, as well as anybody’s family.”

His grandparents’ grave had some broken vases and a broken statue of the Virgin Mary in front of it. However, he expressed relief that their tomb was still intact.

His great-grandparents’ grave had more damage. Their headstone was destroyed.

Cook said the family can claim the damage under uninsured properties on their homeowners insurance. But insurance might only cover part of the expenses.

“We’re looking into how to repair these,” Porche said, “because we can’t leave graves like this because it’s disrespectful.”

The Lafourche Sheriff’s Office asks you to call 1-800-743-7433 or 532-4326 if you have information about the damaged graves.

Staff Writer Raymond Legendre can be reached at 448-7617 or raymond.legendre@houmatoday.com.

home : Ethel, Louisiana Gilbert's Graveyard clean up and investigation

wiki_master — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 19:10:55 GMT

http://www.wafb.com/Global/story.asp?S=10525735

Volunteers clean up Gilbert's Graveyard

Posted: June 12, 2009 02:52 PM

"BATON ROUGE, LA (WAFB) - A local cemetery that's under investigation by the state attorney general's office is getting a major overhaul. After seeing the deplorable condition of Gilbert's grounds, a group of volunteers from Ethel, La. decided to pitch in and help...."

home : Highland Cemetery & Beyond: Baton Rouge, Mid City Historical Cemeteries Coalition

wiki_master — Fri, 22 May 2009 13:37:16 GMT

The Foundation for Historical Louisiana
http://www.fhl.org

Mid City Historical Cemeteries Coalition Presents
Highland Cemetery & Beyond: History and Preservation in Baton Rouge's Historic Cemeteries

Come see why New Orleans isn't the only city with Historic Cemteries...
--from Kenny Kleinpeter, an 8th generation Baton Rougean

Event is FREE and Open to the Public!

Saturday, May 23rd 7:00PM
St. Joseph Cathedral Parish Hall
412 North Stret, Baton Rouge

Ryan Seidemann, President
Mid City Historical Cemeteries Coalition

For more details, contact Ryan Seidemann at 225-202-7940 or rseidem@yahoo.com

home : Three Cemetery Condition Reports

wiki_master — Mon, 11 May 2009 15:17:49 GMT

Results From Your Form
Wednesday, May 6, 2009 9:43 AM
From:
"Angelfire Form Mailer" <the_form_robot@angelfire.com>
Add sender to Contacts
To:
louisianacemeteries@yahoo.com
(Do not reply to this e-mail. It was generated by
the Angelfire servers.)

The following data was submitted via your form:

CEMETERYORSURNAME: Joseph/Jenkin Family Cemetery, Jeanerette
Comment: Dear Sir/Madam,
I am writing to inquire about the desecration of an historic cemetery in Jeanerette, Louisiana. Residents have recently destroyed a large number of graves there in order to park junk cars over the ground. The people buried there are my ancestors, and a lot of them were former slaves. What is the procedure in Louisiana of protecting the remaining graves. I will not let this rest until this matter is rectified, even if I have to go to Baton Rouge or WashingtonD.C. to be heard. I await your response.

Regards,
Willie Blackmon, Lt Col, USAFR
Retired Judge, 713-253-4699
Member Sons of the American Revolution
EMail: weblackmon@yahoo.com
Name: Judge Willie Blackmon
URL:
email_to: louisianacemeteries@yahoo.com
end_display: http://louisianacemeteries.angelfire.com/thanks.html
required_fields: Name,Email,Comments
subject: Cemetery Submission

Save Our Cemeteries sent you a message on Facebook...
Wednesday, May 6, 2009 11:27 AM
From:
"Facebook" <notification+ystsfsz9@facebookmail.com>
Add sender to Contacts
To:
"Louisiana Cemetery Preservation" <louisianacemeteries@yahoo.com>
Save sent you a message.

Re: Sweet Olive Cemetery

Thanks for sending these pictures to us. We had no idea that the cemetery was in this deplorable shape. We have contacted one of our Board Members in the Baton Rouge area and asked him to go out there and document the exposed tombs. He may be able to help us get something done about this.
I assume that the city of Baton Rouge owns the cemtery, or possibly a church if there is one nearby.
We will keep you posted on our progress. Thanks again.
Amanda Walker
Save Our Cemeteries

FACEBOOK COMMENT ABOUT STAR CEMETERY

Carey Weeks made a comment about your link...
Wednesday, May 6, 2009 11:26 AM
From:
"Facebook" <notification+ystsfsz9@facebookmail.com>
Add sender to Contacts
To:
"Louisiana Cemetery Preservation" <louisianacemeteries@yahoo.com>
Carey made a comment about your link:

"It has rained all day so far. I hope he gets to do his search. Star cemetery is a very interesting cemetery. I'm glad it's getting cleaned up. Last summer there were weeds almost up to my knees."

home : Louisiana Cemetery Board Meeting - Rescheduled to May 21

wiki_master — Mon, 11 May 2009 15:15:46 GMT

The Louisiana Cemetery Board meeting previously set for Friday, May 15, 2009, has been rescheduled for Thursday, May 21, 2009 (if necessary) and Friday May 22, 2009.

Thursday, May 21, 2009 (if necessary) & Friday, May 22, 2009
9:00 A.M
111 Veterans Memorial Boulevard
Heritage Plaza
18th Floor Conference Center
Metairie, Louisiana

home : Louisiana Law Regarding Veteran Headstones Replacement

wiki_master — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 15:25:36 GMT

Investigation Expands into Couple's Headstone Patio

Louisiana state rules pending VA decision?

Las Vegas Now - Exerpts

"The Attorney General's Office is now investigating two state employees for taking home 77 gravestones from the Southern Nevada Veterans Cemetery.

Those employees admitted they turned the stones into a patio.

The investigation is now trying to decide if taking the stones is considered a crime. But now, Tami and Kevin Jenicke are taking the stones back where they belong.

The view from above their house said it all last Wednesday. Seventy-seven gravestones, memorials of the heroes who gave so much, now turned into a patio.

Tami Jenicke is a spokesperson for the state veterans home. Kevin Jenicke actually works at the cemetery. They took home stones meant for destruction. Normally spouses can be buried together and that requires replacing the current headstone. ..."

"...The state has no policy on how the old stones should be destroyed, but the federal government does. The stones should be ground down and broken apart so they cannot be recognized -- the most honorable option available -- according to the government.

While the agencies continue their investigations and possible sanctions, the Veterans Department is still finalizing state rules to keep this from happening again."

http://www.lasvegasnow.com/global/story.asp?s=10176057

home : re: Washington Parish Bogalusa Cemetery Clean Up Project - Save Bogalusa

wiki_master — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 13:30:58 GMT

RE: Internet Contact Form
Monday, April 13, 2009 6:47 AM
From:
"Lucy McCann" <lmccann@lcb.state.la.us>
Add sender to Contacts
To:
louisianacemeteries@yahoo.com
Cc:
SeidemannR@ag.state.la.us

Yes, our records indicate the Bogalusa Cemetery is owned and operated by the City of Bogalusa.

-----Original Message-----
From: louisianacemeteries@yahoo.com [mailto:louisianacemeteries@yahoo.com]
Sent: Thursday, April 09, 2009 11:43 AM
To: lmccann@lcb.state.la.us
Subject: Internet Contact Form

Is the Bogalusa Cemetery under the jurisdiction of the City of Bogalusa for maintenance issues? There is an effort underway to clean up this cemetery, as many Veteran graves are unkept. Documented by, The Daily News author Jacob Brooks with photographs.

http://www.gobogalusa.com/articles/2009/04/06/news/doc49da0fd293052463947317.txt

Comments:

R. DAVID SHOWS wrote on Apr 6, 2009 7:34 PM:

" THE CONDITION OF THESE HEADSTONES IN THE VETERANS PLOT IS A DISGRACE. THE MEN AND WOMEN WHO SERVED THEIR COUNTRY DESERVE MUCH BETTER TREATMENT THAN THEIR GRAVES HAVE BEEN GIVEN. "

Bob Lawrence wrote on Apr 6, 2009 2:30 PM:

" Mayor C. P. Verger and I, in 1981, took up each of the headstones in the older veterans plot and, one by one, raised them up and filled under to level. Both army veterans (Verger was also Col. Verger), we decided to change several things to improve the plot. We put up a light (now inoperative) to illuminate the Flag so it would fly day and night, realligned all the stones, and resodded some parts. Legion Post 24 has always done a wonderful job with the little Flags. It can all easily be done again. "

If the City of Bogalusa is responsible for this cemeterys upkeep, please strongly encourage their ongoing participation in the future!

Bogalusa Cemetery

Anthony Fiorenzia Drive

Bogalusa, LA 70429

985-732-6213

Washington Parish, LA

Police Jury

P.O. Box 607

Parish Courthouse Building

Franklinton, LA 70438-0607

Sincerely,

Louisiana Cemeteries

louisianacemeteries@yahoo.com

Phone: (985)839-7825

Louisiana Cemeteries

louisianacemeteries@yahoo.com

home : re: Washington Parish Bogalusa Cemetery Clean Up Project - Save Bogalusa

wiki_master — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 16:45:00 GMT

Contacted: Louisiana Cemetery Board
April 9, 2009

Is the Bogalusa Cemetery under the jurisdiction of the City of Bogalusa for maintenance issues? There is an effort underway to clean up this cemetery, as many Veteran graves are unkept. Documented by, The Daily News author Jacob Brooks with photographs.

http://www.gobogalusa.com/articles/2009/04/06/news/doc49da0fd293052463947317.txt

Comments:

R. DAVID SHOWS wrote on Apr 6, 2009 7:34 PM:
" THE CONDITION OF THESE HEADSTONES IN THE VETERANS PLOT IS A DISGRACE. THE MEN AND WOMEN WHO SERVED THEIR COUNTRY DESERVE MUCH BETTER TREATMENT THAN THEIR GRAVES HAVE BEEN GIVEN. "

Bob Lawrence wrote on Apr 6, 2009 2:30 PM:
" Mayor C. P. Verger and I, in 1981, took up each of the headstones in the older veterans plot and, one by one, raised them up and filled under to level. Both army veterans (Verger was also Col. Verger), we decided to change several things to improve the plot. We put up a light (now inoperative) to illuminate the Flag so it would fly day and night, realligned all the stones, and resodded some parts. Legion Post 24 has always done a wonderful job with the little Flags. It can all easily be done again. "

If the City of Bogalusa is responsible for this cemeterys upkeep, please strongly encourage their ongoing participation in the future!

Bogalusa Cemetery
Anthony Fiorenzia Drive
Bogalusa, LA 70429
985-732-6213

Washington Parish, LA
Police Jury
P.O. Box 607
Parish Courthouse Building
Franklinton, LA 70438-0607

Sincerely,

Louisiana Cemeteries
louisianacemeteries@yahoo.com

home : re: Washington Parish Bogalusa Cemetery Clean Up Project - Save Bogalusa

wiki_master — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 16:28:28 GMT

EXCERPT COMMENTS FROM ARTICLE

R. DAVID SHOWS wrote on Apr 6, 2009 7:34 PM:
" THE CONDITION OF THESE HEADSTONES IN THE VETERANS PLOT IS A DISGRACE. THE MEN AND WOMEN WHO SERVED THEIR COUNTRY DESERVE MUCH BETTER TREATMENT THAN THEIR GRAVES HAVE BEEN GIVEN. "

Bob Lawrence wrote on Apr 6, 2009 2:30 PM:
" Mayor C. P. Verger and I, in 1981, took up each of the headstones in the older veterans plot and, one by one, raised them up and filled under to level. Both army veterans (Verger was also Col. Verger), we decided to change several things to improve the plot. We put up a light (now inoperative) to illuminate the Flag so it would fly day and night, realligned all the stones, and resodded some parts. Legion Post 24 has always done a wonderful job with the little Flags. It can all easily be done again. "

END EXCERPT

home : Washington Parish Bogalusa Cemetery Clean Up Project - Save Bogalusa

wiki_master — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 16:23:38 GMT

An Uneasy Peace: At Bogalusa Cemetery, soldiers’ graves are being overgrown

http://www.gobogalusa.com/articles/2009/04/06/news/doc49da0fd293052463947317.txt

By Jacob Brooks
The Daily News
Published/Last Modified on Monday, April 6, 2009 10:12 AM CDT

Several of the veterans’ headstones at Bogalusa Cemetery are slowly being overrun by grass. Some can barely be seen, if at all, and sinkholes cause others to lean awkwardly. Pieces of tattered American flags are strewn about, long past their prime. The flagpole at the head of the veteran’s plot stands barren.

That’s the scene Bogalusa resident Wendy Williams saw while taking a walk through the city cemetery about two weeks ago. She’s decided to do something about it.

“I want to fix it up and mark each grave with a flag,” said Williams, president of the non-profit group Project: Save Bogalusa.
A fragment of the American flag is seen in the veteran’s plot at Bogalusa Cemetery.

(Use arrows above to view more photos)

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Williams already has a plan to fix the plot that contains 30 or more veterans, most from World War II, and she even has a completion date for the mission: May 16, Armed Forces Day.

She’s asking individuals and organizations in the community for help. “We are working in conjunction with Mr. (Edward) Buckley with VFW and the City of Bogalusa on this project. I have made a request for two local funeral homes to participate, and have got a call in to the State of Louisiana Rayburn Correctional Institute... they hopefully can provide some inmates for labor,” Williams wrote in a recent e-mail.

She has scheduled two community workdays: April 18 and May 2, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. both days. She’s asking anyone who wants to help to simply show up at the cemetery during those times.

Williams said she also has spoken to U.S. Rep. Steve Scalise, who has pledged his support.

Buckley said the Bogalusa chapter of the Veterans of Foreign Wars did a similar community project for the veteran’s plot in 1999, even erecting the VFW sign that can still be seen on the site. The local VFW, however, is no longer active, he said, adding the city is responsible for the maintenance of the cemetery.

City officials did not immediately return phone calls for this story.

Williams said when she saw the state of the veteran’s plot, she had to act.

“My grandfather is a veteran,” she said, adding the veterans buried at Bogalusa Cemetery deserve better.

For more information, call Williams at (985) 516-2005.

home : Ornamental Iron Workshop

wiki_master — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 17:22:29 GMT

The National Center for Preservation Technology and Training is hosting an Ornamental Iron Workshop in New Orleans, LA on June 18-19, 2009. This workshop will focus on the differences between cast and wrought iron and the restoration of both. The hands-on portion of this workshop will take place in St. Louis Cemetery #2. NCPTT, Save Our Cemeteries, and Tulane School of Architecture are partnering to hold this workshop. More information can be found at:

http://www.ncptt.nps.gov/index.php/ornamental-iron-workshop/

or by contacting Jason Church on this ning

http://louisiana-cemetery-preservation.ning.com