Arlington's sweep of gravesite mementos distresses families of fallen

[Forever_frost]

I see your point. It is something to think on though.

[Pokulski-Blatz]

No, you misunderstand. I meant if that family wanted to upgrade their momento box from the standard to something maybe with a purple heart or CIB etched into it. Something personalized

That should also be no cost. But to be honest, there isn't any place to put it. The back of the stone is normally reserved for spouses.

[Forever_frost]

Hell no. A vet's family should have to pay no money for internment at a national cemetery.

No, you misunderstand. I meant if that family wanted to upgrade their momento box from the standard to something maybe with a purple heart or CIB etched into it. Something personalized

[UserX]

Then why did you feel the need to post a reply. I don't really get quantum physics or chaos theory, which is why I don't post on threads related thereto. Get it?

Because that's like my opinion, man. Before you military peeps get your panties all up in a bunch, I was speaking in general terms, not specific to military cemeteries.

[Pokulski-Blatz]

A fund provided by donations would more than likely do it with the option for the families to pay for an upgraded one if they like

Hell no. A vet's family should have to pay no money for internment at a national cemetery.

[Forever_frost]

I'd call for it to be paid with taxes or at least subsidized.

DFWM - solving the world's problems. Nobody listens though.

A fund provided by donations would more than likely do it with the option for the families to pay for an upgraded one if they like

[ceyko]

Now this is an interesting option. In the interest of saving money, have the families having the option to purchase a small box of x and y dimensions and bury it or place it at the base of the headstone with it locked and unmolested by anyone. It's neat, tidy and keeps the place looking nice along with allowing you to leave something there that will be protected.

I'd call for it to be paid with taxes or at least subsidized.

DFWM - solving the world's problems. Nobody listens though.

[jyro]

Takin up space after your dead is senseless to me.

[Forever_frost]

Point made, you'd have to register it.

You do have a valid option there. Why not make a lock box over the casket area and allow the mementos to be stored there? I'm biased for sure, but this is one area I would not mind tax money being used to buy high end boxes that'll last a very long time. They'd have to be secured to a mount so dickheads can't steal the boxes and also lockable so people can't (easily) steal what is inside.

Then it is win-win. Although, if the argument is to have it -displayed- - that is a crap option.

Now this is an interesting option. In the interest of saving money, have the families having the option to purchase a small box of x and y dimensions and bury it or place it at the base of the headstone with it locked and unmolested by anyone. It's neat, tidy and keeps the place looking nice along with allowing you to leave something there that will be protected.

I have typed no less than 4 responses now but can't find a good way to put my thoughts into words.

Just a FYI, flowers are the first thing to go. I am talking about medals, dog tags, a pair of boots, coins, rocks, ect. Not papers and things easily blown around. Those need to stay for a while.

Some of those graves are less sacred IMO.

The men and women that died protecting our homeland are a cut above those that gave lesser sacrifice. That is not to say they were better people than the others buried in Any national cemetery, just that the sacrifice they made makes them a bit more special.

Totally get where you're coming from man. The problem is that there just isn't a good answer.

[YALE]

I have typed no less than 4 responses now but can't find a good way to put my thoughts into words.

Just a FYI, flowers are the first thing to go. I am talking about medals, dog tags, a pair of boots, coins, rocks, ect. Not papers and things easily blown around. Those need to stay for a while.

Some of those graves are less sacred IMO.

The men and women that died protecting our homeland are a cut above those that gave lesser sacrifice. That is not to say they were better people than the others buried in Any national cemetery, just that the sacrifice they made makes them a bit more special.

It really sucks that they're throwing medals and boots and whatnot away. I get what you mean.

[ceyko]

Point made, you'd have to register it.

You do have a valid option there. Why not make a lock box over the casket area and allow the mementos to be stored there? I'm biased for sure, but this is one area I would not mind tax money being used to buy high end boxes that'll last a very long time. They'd have to be secured to a mount so dickheads can't steal the boxes and also lockable so people can't (easily) steal what is inside.

Then it is win-win. Although, if the argument is to have it -displayed- - that is a crap option.

[KBScobravert]

Problem is how do you date stamp an entire section worth of things left behind. Flowers are easy, cause they wilt and you throw them away.

If I laid something down to be there forever, I would glue it down or press it under the ground.

[ceyko]

I think the question should be, what is a reasonable amount of time that mementos should be left? Every memorial we have has a collection date for such things.

I'm strongly torn too. When I first read the article, my initial though was that it's common sense to clean up the burial areas. Also, I figured people would get mad if the mementos were damaged when trying to mow/weedeat around them.

Then Ski posted and I put myself more in the family's shoes. Let say my Dad or Son died serving and I wanted to put something there. Lets use sealed/preserved ID tags - I'd want them to be there forever if I had it my way in that case.

Off the top of my head, maybe there should classes of stuff.

Example:
Flowers/pictures and so forth are removed weekly

Other items stay a year

While other items can stay for much longer. I just don't see it being realistic for "forever" to be an option though. Maybe 10 years and then it has to be recovered? Maybe keep them in storage for another 5 years for the family to recover?

All of this would have to meet presentation guidelines as well. i.e. if using ID tags they could not just be dangled any old way. They'd meet a specification and be nicely displayed.

[KBScobravert]

Liquid nails make a real good concrete adhesive. Once it is part of the headstone they can't remove it.

I think signage should have gone up well in advance of them collecting mementos. And I fully understand both sides of the argument. There is no way to meet a compromise in these matters.

I think the question should be, what is a reasonable amount of time that mementos should be left? Every memorial we have has a collection date for such things.