Graves Disturbed at Cheltenham Veterans Cemetery

[David]

A reader just alerted us to this disturbing photo reportedly taken today at Cheltenham Veterans Cemetery (just north of where RT5 and 301 divide north of Waldorf). The man was attending a funeral for a family member when they spotted this backhoe disturbing grave markers. Some people confronted the workers who made it out to be no big deal -- they had to dig a new grave and they would fix the damage later. Not sure if this is standard procedure or not. If it is, perhaps there are alternatives to disturbing people's graves in such a seemingly uncaring manner.

The link to the original post: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?...1474713605.169598.242181938605&type=1&theater

There is rough language in the comments, so beware if you are offended by such things.

P.S. The cemetery is operated by the State of Maryland Dept. of Veteran Affairs.

 

[Roman]

That's terrible!

 

[vraiblonde]

I don't understand why this is disturbing. The backhoe has to get in to dig a new grave and they fix the markers before they leave.

 

[Monello]

Heads will roll due to this. Glad I don't have any loved ones there.

 

[Hank]

Heads will roll due to this.

Literally!

Too soon?

 

[DoWhat]

Heads will roll due to this. Glad I don't have any loved ones there.

If I was there in the ground, I don't' think I would give a $hit.

 

[Gilligan]

Literally!

Too soon?

*snort*

You ain't write!

 

[15007875]

ould.

 

[vraiblonde]

No, but if your loved ones were I'm guessing you would.

Why? They're not disturbing the graves, just the grave markers, and they fix them.

That's a real question: why is this so disturbing?

And how else are they supposed to get the backhoes into the cemetery?

 

[General Lee]

Ok, the head stones may be knocked out of place.....The graves are not disturbed.

 

[DoWhat]

Ok, the head stones may be knocked out of place.....The graves are not disturbed.

 

[Tech]

Ok, the head stones may be knocked out of place.....The graves are not disturbed.

Just need to make sure they put them back in the right place. The Army's track record is so great on the stones matching the graves.

 

[vraiblonde]

Just need to make sure they put them back in the right place. The Army's track record is so great on the stones matching the graves.

?

They're not that displaced, just slightly goofed up. Did you see the photo?

 

[DoWhat]

I know this will piss off people.

Why do we even have grave sites?
Why do we bury people.
Dead people should be cremated and the ashes saved or disposed of by the living family member.

Why waste the land?

 

[15007875]

I know this will piss off people.

Why do we even have grave sites?
Why do we bury people.
Dead people should be cremated and the ashes saved or disposed of by the living family member.

Why waste the land?

Now that thought I can agree with, not only the wasted land, think of the resources that are put into the grave as well. Casket, suits/dresses, jewelry…

Cremated or donated to science.

 

[czygvtwkr]

Why? They're not disturbing the graves, just the grave markers, and they fix them.

That's a real question: why is this so disturbing?

And how else are they supposed to get the backhoes into the cemetery?

It looks like to me that they could have successfully straddled the grave stones.

I know I would be pissed if the stone I paid $3k for was damaged by the groundskeepers.

 

[kom526]

I know this will piss off people.

Why do we even have grave sites?
Why do we bury people.
Dead people should be cremated and the ashes saved or disposed of by the living family member.

Why waste the land?

Cemetery is too far, huh?

 

[MMM_donuts]

I know this will piss off people.

Why do we even have grave sites?
Why do we bury people.
Dead people should be cremated and the ashes saved or disposed of by the living family member.

Why waste the land?

It doesn't upset me. There are much better, more environmentally friendly, and much cheaper ways of disposing of the living impaired.

But, the thought of doing it any differently really weirds some people out. They need a place to go to be with their departed. It represents their loved one.

 

[DoWhat]

It looks like to me that they could have successfully straddled the grave stones.

I know I would be pissed if the stone I paid $3k for was damaged by the groundskeepers.

You don't pay $3k.
It's for veterans and part of the benefits.
Free burial.

 

[DoWhat]

Cemetery is too far, huh?