Thursday, September 9, 2010

At rest

On the way home from Lancaster County over the weekend, we stopped at the small cemetery of the Friendship United Methodist Church, which is on Friendship Church Road near the village of Gum Tree, Highland Township. I was surprised at how many very old tombstones were there, dating from the early 19th century. Veterans from just about every war since then are represented -- the Civil War (the Grand Army of the Republic), both World Wars, Korea and Vietnam. Many of the old white stones are engraved with a willow tree and a Bible verse; some of the contemporary ones list the person's hobbies and have a photograph. It's a peaceful spot, and it looks as if relatives visit regularly.
I noticed a real estate ad recently that mentioned that the house for sale was next to a cemetery. For me that would be a selling point, but when I mentioned it to a friend, she shivered.
And speaking of nicely kept cemeteries, it's great to see that the old African American graveyard on the south side of Route 842, west of Ryan Road, West Marlborough Township, is being well taken care of.

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