Around here that marker would go in front of the head stone
Around here that marker would go in front of the head stone
One of those is from the VA, the other by the family. The VA now uses marble or granite I think, it's what we got with Dads in 08. It was about the same thing, only in stone instead of bronze. It arrived so quick we just used it. I made a form and poured a cement base, then set the stone from VA on it. We had a monument company update my little brothers to match. They set a pre-made concrete pad in place, and siliconed the stone to it. The only real visible difference was I had formed the slab on Dads to tilt forward
Well, with the original post, I am sorry that I suggested selling it on Ebay. I thought that it was a vase of some sort meant to put flowers in. And when you said that it was new in box, I had no idea that it was engraved.
Around here, that is meant as a foot stone rather than a head stone. When we visit the cemetery, besides the regular headstone, The military sends out a foot stone to be placed at the "foot" end of the body. I think that is what you have there. It does indeed need to find it's place at the foot of the grave of that soldier.
It seems that you guys are onto something great here. If the rightful spot is found and there is no family, I propose that we all chip in to get this foot stone layed properly in it's rightful spot.
I for one will kick in the first $10 if that is what it takes, but let's make sure we find the rightful spot for this and maybe we can get something going.
"64K should be enough for anybody." - Bill Gates 1981
http://www.treasurecoastelectronicrecycling.com/
I was thinking the same thing, That is why I followed up on the eBay suggestion
I would also kick in to have it installed at the Cemetery if that is allowed by the Cemetery
Just need an eMail address for PayPal or IM address to send a check / money order to
John and Parrot-
First off- Not to worry, I probably should have snapped the pics and posted them in my original post. I may have not caused confusion otherwise. If it were just an unmarked vase, this would have been a completely different thread all together.
Secondly, the idea of you guys offering to pitch in is a wonderfully kind and heartwarming gesture. I'll tell you what, I'm going to work my buns off to find this family, if all else fails I will do the legwork to find out the proper placement, a general idea of the stone itself etc.. and if and when that time comes, I will properly try to raise funds if anyone would be willing to contribute.
Thank you gents. Thank you very much!!
I'm so into scrapping.. When my Steel Toe Boots Wear out, I cut the Steel out of them and recycle the Toe!
If you find family and need to pay for shipping, or if it can be placed at the graveside and there is a fee, would be honored to put in on it.
If you are successful at either, I would encourage you to consider contacting some newspapers, TV, local media folks. Not to blow your own horn, but there is a "real story" here and one that represents what "real scrappers" are about! There is always a lot of negative media. This could be a positive article about the trade! jus my 2
About 2 years ago we had a guy bring in some brass cemetery urns that he was cutting up in 4 pieces to disguise what they were. We contacted the police and set up a sting the next time the guy came in. Because we had pictures of the guy, his load, him withdrawing money from our ATM, his truck, his license and his license plate, we were able to hand the cops a pretty cut and dry case. We did the same thing a few months ago with some hoodlums that stole some bronze statues from a church.
I said it before and I'll say it again...if there is a Hell, there is a special place reserved for those that steal from churches and graveyards.
Camby is just outside of Indianapolis, where I reside. If there is anything I can do to assist, please let me know! I would be honored to help.
I would also donate to the cause to get this installed or to get it to the family! Scrap Metal at its best right here!
Thank you to the latest round of gents willing to toss some money into the fund- this is a great group of guys and gals!!!
Brojer: I'm definitely not a toot your horn guy.. I like to share some neat finds or loads on the forum from time to time.. but only because this group of folks would get a kick out of it.. it is never to boast. If we all got together and had this thing placed where it should.. that would be "payment enough" for me honestly. I know it may be "great PR" for all of us who do what we do.. but I'm also of the mindset of just getting things to their rightful owners without anything expected in return.. just because.. well.. just because it is the right thing to do. With that being said I respect you and your opinion highly kind sir!
If indeed I fail at finding a proper heir and we all do want to pitch in and make this happen.. but find the cost is a little steeper than we may have anticipated.. I don't think if a media outlet did pick it up that it would hurt in the least to assist in raising funds for the cause. I just figure things will work out the way they are intended to.
Last edited by sledge; 10-09-2013 at 05:29 PM.
Here's a couple sites about installation. One on ehow about afixing it to a stone How to Set a Veteran's Memorial Plaque | eHow
Here's one on setting it into the ground Installing Grave Markers in a Cemetery
Ya can count me into Sledge, I reckon the cooler could sacrifice the cost of a 12 pack or 2.
Sirscrapalot - Your a good man Charlie Brown. - Not the chick who keeps yanking the ball from him.
Thank you Bear, Sirscrapsalot and scrapping4ever!
Still hunting, but at the moment reaching a dead end-hopefully temporary. I may have to make a physical trip to the Morgan County Courthouse and do some digging. Luckily for me I used to work as the Director of Microfilm for my County.. So I know my way around old records and microfilm if it becomes necessary to "hunt the stacks! If his wife had an estate file opened with some decent information (since she passed second- all of his possessions would default to become hers) and hopefully a will would be in her estate file. Some do not.. but most files do so I would hope I could obtain information out of her will.
If I make the voyage, I'll just make it a day-trip and visit the Cemetery in Camby as well.. talk to the folks there, get to the burial site and see where we stand with it. I could then garnish the information about the ability to set a stone, maybe they could give me a local referral of someone to make the stone, set the plate, and have it installed. All information I need to gather to do this appropriately!
After some more digging I have found his originally posted obituary.
I have also reached out to the Morgan County Historian- as Silon Cemetery has no contact info to be found. I would like to find who the care-taker of the cemetery is if at all possible to begin discussions on placing this marker if I cannot find family.
The Obituary gives some great information that I did not previously have either. So it gives me some more to go on!!
Here is the Obit:
sledge,
check your in box. I was contacted by the IndyStar and I forwarded you the reporter's info.
Bill
The local funeral home would probably know the cemetery caretaker info
***UPDATE********
I Found an Heir. I was able to track down Barbara Hahn.. I found her address and number in Brownsburg Indiana. I held my breath and made the call- hoping it was the right woman. I just got off the phone with her husband. Sadly, Barbara has passed away.. But I am making arrangements to meet with her Husband tomorrow to present him with this marker! He is excited to get it and have it placed where it deserves to go. I told him that I had offers from multiple folks here to pitch in to assist him in making that happen.. he kindly refused the money. I cannot wait to meet with him tomorrow and make this exchange!
I will update this with the developments.. I want to thank each and everyone of you for all of your assistance, research, digging, offering of funds!! I love this forum and all of you in it!! Truly an AWESOME set of people we have here! Thank you all!!
Aaron
How cool! Man, Good Job!
If the conversation goes there you might mention it should be bolted(I'd suggest "tamper resistant") to a stone or a slab
Last edited by Bear; 10-10-2013 at 02:15 PM.
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