On a recent trip back to Dickinson, we had occasion to visit St. Patrick’s Cemetery to attend a memorial service for a family friend and visit the grave sites of our parents.
For the past 50-plus years, we have made our trek to Dickinson an annual event.
When the city of Dickinson first took over responsibility for the maintenance of the local cemeteries, we noticed almost immediate improvement in conditions.
What we experienced on our most recent trip was abysmal; we were appalled by the conditions of the grounds with damaged markers, uncut grass, uncontrolled growth of weeds, parched areas and just generally untended conditions.
On our many travels across the United States, we have had occasion to see many well-tended cemeteries (many in towns much smaller than Dickinson) which truly reflect the honor and respect that should be shown to deceased relatives and friends. We don’t believe the current conditions of St. Patrick’s Cemetery meet the most basic of standards and reflect badly on the citizens of Dickinson.
Certainly a city the size of Dickinson, and particularly one with new found wealth, can improve greatly upon the conditions.
Dickinson is a great example of small town America, but it didn’t happen overnight. It took many years and the efforts of thousands of those who came before us to achieve that distinction.
Don’t you feel they are deserving of more respect than we are showing by the neglect of their final resting place?
Jean Fenstermacher Thomas, Rocklin, Calif.
Tags: opinion, letter, letters
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