I am a retired USAF Senior Master Sergeant, born in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan and now living in Mint Hill, in the Charlotte, NC area. My primary interest is recording the graves and headstones of my family members, mostly in Michigan and Ohio, and those of my wife, mostly in West Virginia.

Even though I am not from North Carolina, I am also trying to add records of the grave sites in the cemeteries closest to me for the benefit of those who can't visit the grave sites. During visits to my wife's home state of West Virginia I am doing the same. I am interested in digital photography and so am trying to also add photos to the records. If you are a relative I will gladly transfer maintenance of any memorial to your care.

I found the following poem and I thought it was very nice.

The Recording of a Cemetery

by Thelma Green Reagan



Today we walked where others walked
On a lonely, windswept hill;
Today we talked where others cried
For Loved Ones whose lives are stilled.

Today our hearts were touched
By graves of tiny babies;
Snatched from the arms of loving kin,
In the heartbreak of the ages.

Today we saw where the grandparents lay
In the last sleep of their time;
Lying under the trees and clouds -
Their beds kissed by the sun and wind.

Today we wondered about an unmarked spot;
Who lies beneath this hollowed ground?
Was it a babe, child, young or old?
No indication could be found.

Today we saw where Mom and Dad lay.
We had been here once before
On a day we'd all like to forget,
But will remember forever more.

Today we recorded for kith and kin
The graves of ancestors past;
To be preserved for generations hence,
A record we hope will last.

Cherish it, my friend; preserve it, my friend,
For stones sometimes crumble to dust
And generations of folks yet to come
Will be grateful for your trust.

I am a retired USAF Senior Master Sergeant, born in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan and now living in Mint Hill, in the Charlotte, NC area. My primary interest is recording the graves and headstones of my family members, mostly in Michigan and Ohio, and those of my wife, mostly in West Virginia.

Even though I am not from North Carolina, I am also trying to add records of the grave sites in the cemeteries closest to me for the benefit of those who can't visit the grave sites. During visits to my wife's home state of West Virginia I am doing the same. I am interested in digital photography and so am trying to also add photos to the records. If you are a relative I will gladly transfer maintenance of any memorial to your care.

I found the following poem and I thought it was very nice.

The Recording of a Cemetery

by Thelma Green Reagan



Today we walked where others walked
On a lonely, windswept hill;
Today we talked where others cried
For Loved Ones whose lives are stilled.

Today our hearts were touched
By graves of tiny babies;
Snatched from the arms of loving kin,
In the heartbreak of the ages.

Today we saw where the grandparents lay
In the last sleep of their time;
Lying under the trees and clouds -
Their beds kissed by the sun and wind.

Today we wondered about an unmarked spot;
Who lies beneath this hollowed ground?
Was it a babe, child, young or old?
No indication could be found.

Today we saw where Mom and Dad lay.
We had been here once before
On a day we'd all like to forget,
But will remember forever more.

Today we recorded for kith and kin
The graves of ancestors past;
To be preserved for generations hence,
A record we hope will last.

Cherish it, my friend; preserve it, my friend,
For stones sometimes crumble to dust
And generations of folks yet to come
Will be grateful for your trust.