Very well said Kyle. That e-mail has been on my mind after I read it. Most
of my family are in Rush County Cemeteries that are deplorable, which
reminds me why I got involved in making a differnce - just wish it could
happen a bit quicker! I have to keep reminding myself that this process is
babysteps!
Donna
----- Original Message -----
From: <KidClerk(a)aol.com>
To: <INPCRP-L(a)rootsweb.com>
Sent: Thursday, February 26, 2004 9:08 PM
Subject: [INPCRP] Apology to our out of state guests
Mary Ann and Madonna:
On behalf of the citizens of the State of Indiana, I'd like to apologize
to
you for the conditions you have found the cemeteries in which your
ancestors
are interred.
Indiana is really a funny state by the way we do things. While we can't
seem
to pass legislation that would allow us to raise the necessary funds,
and
awareness, of the plight of our pioneer cemeteries, we can still find it
in our
hearts to tax the citizenry on the property they own just as we did
those
very
ancestors who are buried in those pioneer cemeteries over 150 years
ago.
It
seems we can build multi million dollar buildings to house our state
archives
and historical collections, but can't work to maintain and
restore our
pioneer
cemeteries. And in some situations, we strive so hard to preserve
the
native
weeds our ancestors fought to kill that we fail to keep their burial
locations
from becoming extinct.
I'm sure many thoughts must have entered your minds upon your arrival at
the
cemeteries you referred to after seeing them in such deplorable
condition.
But rest assured you are not alone, for most, if not all of us on this
list,
find ourselves in the very same situation. We, too, share your
frustration, but
more importantly, we find ourselves embarrassed at what we have
allowed to
happen in this great state. With your help and that of all of those on
this list
and around this state, we will continue to right this wrong by
continuing
to
work for common decency, the decency that comes by the realization
that
the
blood that flows through our bodies was once that blood of those whom
we
have
long neglected. Those very same ancestors who are looking down at us
now
in
shame for allowing such a travesty to occur.
With your help, we'll continue to make progress toward this common goal of
love and respect for those who have gone before us.
Cordially,
Kyle D. Conrad
Brook, Indiana
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Thank you.