Shanna Riley May 1st, 2008
I haven't abandoned anyone, so please don't think I've disappeared into the vastness of cyberspace. I'm still here and, yes, still graving. Sadly, I haven't had the impetus to write here - or any of the other places I normally write to - due to some personal problems that are beyond the scope of this blog (you may read about them on my regular blog here, if you're so inclined). I would just like to say that everything is now much better, and I believe this upward swing is going to continue.
I have, as I said, still been graving occasionally. Weekends have been busy - spring being a time full of baby showers, births, wedding showers, and weddings - so at least once a week I travel to either Greenoaks Memorial Park or Magnolia Cemetery during my lunch break and spend about 45 minutes snapping photos or, if needed and possible, doing photo requests. It's the most peaceful way to spend your lunch hour; especially with the weather being as perfectly lovely as it has been as of late. I actually have more photo than time these days! I'm actually behind on adding them all to the Find A Grave website.
I never thought I'd get behind, but it has happened; I've actually taken more photos than I have time to upload! It's nice, though, because it gives me something to do - related to graving - that I can do from home and the comfort of my computer.
Once summer comes and, hopefully, my social life slows down (so far no babies being born or loved ones getting married that I know of yet) I'll be able to get all caught up and get back to working on straightening out Iberville Parish again. I just wanted to let you know that I was still here, and hope to be graveblogging again very soon!
Shanna Riley March 22nd, 2008
Not that the numbers matter, but I have to admit a certain thrill when - with the entry of Marie Genre Poche in historic Magnolia Cemetery in Baton Rouge - I had entered my 1,000th memorial at the Find A Grave website in my 1 year, 2 months as a member.
Here's to many thousands more...
Shanna Riley March 21st, 2008
When I created the "Desecration" category for this blog, it was my honest hope I'd have no cause to use it - and that, even if I did, it would not be very often.
Despite my hopes, however, I am here again to tell you of the saddening defilement that has taken place, once more, in my native state of Louisiana.
Suspect Gary Glover is now behind bars for sneaking into cemeteries in Ascension Parish - mostly on the East Bank - and stealing the traditional, brass markers that mark the graves of our brave countrymen and women that have served us in our United States military. He would, then, turn around and sell the markers at local scrapyards. Now, a number of those scrapyard owners are, also, in jail for not keeping accurate records.
Desecrating or stealing from someone's final resting place is quite possibly the lowest of the low - to do so to those that served our country in times of war and fought for our freedom goes beyond the pale. What then won't such a person stoop to?
As the commenter in the article on WAFB about this atrocity reflected, "Nothing is sacred anymore."
WAFB has provided a list of names of soldiers they know whose markers have been taken - some are not, and may never be, recovered. Please review the names at the "Cemetery Threats" article. You are urged to contact the Ascension Parish Sheriff's Office (225-621-8375) if you recognize any of these unfortunate soul's names.
