Killed by friendly fire in WWII, the weeds on his memorial are three feet tall today

[Omaha Steve]

Bellevue Cemetery is just down the road from us. It was packed for the services this morning. Forest Lawn in Omaha was too. Considering all the rain we have had they are well maintained.

Now that I'm retired I don't have to work Memorial Day. Marta and I went to the cemetery to see my dad US Army PFC Dawes & mom today. Our youngest put a new flag in his WWII flag holder Saturday. It stands up about a foot above his marker. Simulated photo of the flag in the holder below.



My grandma, grandpa, and two of their best friends are a couple steps away. Uncle Eddy Third Class Gunners Mate US Navy WWII and Aunt Julie are just a short walk away.

Many years ago the local paper ran a story about a small cemetery south of Council Bluffs, IA. We headed there next. We have been going there for over 20 years. Maintenance has been getting worse year by year. It looks like it has had no maintenance at all this year. Pictures at the bottom.

It used to be so pretty. Marta owns the Graveyards of Omaha site. Here is the Wall Cemetery front page: http://www.graveyardsofomaha.com/submarine/submarinel_main.html





"In memory of MM1C Vernon Palmer Wall.

Son of Henry O. – Edna N. Wall.

September 11, 1922 – October 7, 1944.

Lost at sea in the Pacific with submarine Seawolf."

Here is the sad story of how the Seawolf was lost: http://www.graveyardsofomaha.com/submarine/submarinel_seawolf.html

The pink area is where the Seawolf is on eternal patrol.



Today. You can see the top of the marker by the back fence in the top photo.

MM1C Vernon Palmer Wall deserves better.

OS

[redstatebluegirl]

1. I wish we lived nearby I would come help clean it up.

You are correct he deserves so much better....

[spanone]

2. K&R...

[malokvale77]

3. It sucks...

how this country has such a huge war budget, but can't find the funds to honor those who have died to make a few very wealthy.

I'm looking at you Hillary and all the other entrenched politicians who have sacrificed nothing (and gained plenty) for your wars.

This is personal for me, and that is as far as I'm going there.

Thank you Steve.

[1939]

5. If it was a national cemetery, yes

The family chose a local cemetery which may well be private. Should the federal government maintain all cemeteries or just the war dead plots in local cemeteries?

[horseshoecrab]

4. K&R! n/t

[Omaha Steve]

6. I contacted the local paper

Hoping a story might find somebody like a scout troop etc. to start caring for the cemetery. So far silence.

OS