Karen’s Chatt – Page 24 – Karen’s Chatt

May 31

Some Bennett Photos

By Karen in Bennett, Roesner

I enjoy putting these information photos together, and today, some Bennett photos.

Vermont Bennett

Delaware Bennett

Henry Brandenburg Bennett

Lura (Monroe) Bennett

Greg Bennett

Fred Roesner

Edward Roesner

Louise (Roesner) Bennett

May 28

Tombstone Tuesday-Memorial Day 2024

By Karen in Memorial Day, Tombstone

Some local photos I took yesterday, reflecting on the meaning of Memorial Day and the sacrifices made by our servicemen and women.

May 24

Memorial Day 2024

By Karen in Memorial Day

Monday we celebrate Memorial Day, the day we honor the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military.

Elm Grove Cemetery, St. Marys, Ohio (2013 photo by Karen)

Originally called Decoration Day, this federal holiday dates back to just after the Civil War, as a way to remember and honor both Union and Confederate soldiers who were killed in battle during that war. In 1868, 30 May was officially proclaimed as the day to decorate Civil War graves. After WWI Memorial Day was extended to honor Americans who died in all wars. Today, many Americans use this holiday as a time to decorate any grave site, whether the deceased served in the military or not.

Memorial Day was declared a U.S. federal holiday in 1971 and is now observed the last Monday in May. In December 2000 the National Moment of Remembrance resolution was passed, which asks all Americans to pause at 3:00 p.m. local time and reflect on the meaning of Memorial Day.

The entire month of May is Military Appreciation Month, officially designated by Congress in 1999 to remind Americans to celebrate this patriotic month that pays tribute to those who have made sacrifices for our freedom.

Although the entire month of May is designated to honor military members and their families, past and present, several specific military holidays occur throughout the month of May. In 2024 these military holiday dates are Loyalty Day (1 May), VE Day (8 May), Military Spouse Appreciation Day (10 May/Friday before Mother’s Day), Children of Fallen Patriots Day (13 May), Armed Forces Day (18 May), Maritime Day (22 May), and Memorial Day (27 May).

Most towns in our area will have a Memorial Day ceremony at local cemetery, conducted by the local American Legion and/or VFW, who also mark all veterans’ graves with an American flag. A big Thank You to all those volunteers. Many towns will also have a Memorial Day parade.

Proper flag etiquette on Memorial Day: The American flag should be flown at half-staff until noon and then raised to full-staff. During a parade there may be several participants with a flag and it is appropriate to salute only the first flag as it passes by. As the first flag passes everyone should show respect by standing at attention with their right hand over their heart. Those in uniform should give their appropriate formal salute.

In addition to honoring the fallen military members, Memorial Day traditionally marks the beginning of summer.

Wishing everyone a nice Memorial Day as we honor and remember those who sacrificed their lives for our country and for our freedom.

Thanksgiving is a day when we pause to give thanks for the things we have.
Memorial Day is a day when we pause to give thanks to the people who fought for the things we have.

May 21

Tombstone Tuesday–Footstones

By Karen in Footstones, Tombstone Art

We are all familiar with tombstones, the permanent memorials that mark the final resting places of our loved ones. Sometimes called headstones, these grave markers have been used to mark burial sites as far back as 3000 B.C. and are positioned at the head of the grave. These markers can be upright or flush with the ground and often provide a vast amount of information about the deceased.

What we don’t see as often in cemeteries in this part of the country are footstones. Footstones are set at the foot of a grave and are less about identity and more about boundary. They were used more frequently a few decades ago.

Set at the opposite end from the headstone, footstones serve to mark the boundary of the burial plot. Like headstones, footstones may be upright or flush with the grass.

Headstone and footstone at burial site. Pingry Cemetery

Footstones are usually less ornate and are smaller than the headstone. Most are about 1-2 feet wide. They may be engraved with text or images. Since a headstone includes most of the standard information about the person (name, birth date and death date, a quote and some funerary art), the smaller footstone usually features only the person’s initials. They are smaller and less ornate so they do not distract from the headstone.

Footstone, Pingry Cemetery

The headstone marks the upper boundary of the grave site and the footstone marks the lower boundary, helping visitors to avoid walking across the grave, which is sometimes deemed disrespectful or bad luck. In addition, footstones clearly distinguish one gravesite from another for cemetery workers.

Sometimes there is no headstone and a footstone is the only grave marker. In that case the footstone still sits at the foot-end of the grave, but the footstone might be slightly larger so that it can incorporate some of the information that is usually on the headstone. Solitary footstones for individual graves are a more common in modern cemeteries, where site owners are trying to conserve space.

Some cemeteries have family burial plots, consisting of a large upright headstone with the family name, and smaller stones with individual names surrounding the large family stone. These small stones are also considered footstones. Each member of the family has their own footstone near the family headstone.