 Man digs up father's gravestone, plans to return war medals A man dug up his father's headstone and brought it to a Veterans Affairs Canada office, more than two decades after he was buried in St. John's, because the department failed to look after the gravesite �and now he plans to return the Second World War vetCommentsview comments in forum Page 1 2 You need to be a member of CKA and be logged into the site, to comment on news. |
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However, the way in which most graves are treated is pretty depressing.
They do a much better job in Europe.
Bit of a strange story, I did'nt know Veterans affairs is supposed to care for the graves of vets who died after the war.
However, the way in which most graves are treated is pretty depressing.
They do a much better job in Europe.
You have mentioned that before as I recall.
If he felt so strong about it, why didn't he maintain it himself (or the family as a whole) and why didn't they bury his medals with his dad? Feeling entitled or something?
Your DAD is the vet, not you, Mr. Fleming...
I am assuming here that this Mr. Fleming is a strong willed, pig headed man, who wants everything his way, but does not want to lift a finger to get it done.
Also, I find it kind of strange that Veteran affairs are supposed to look after graves of veterans who died more than 40 years after active service. If they had died in combat, then maybe...
Bit of a strange story, I did'nt know Veterans affairs is supposed to care for the graves of vets who died after the war.
However, the way in which most graves are treated is pretty depressing.
They do a much better job in Europe.
I was blown away in Holland. The Canadian cemeteries there were immaculate. Even their own civvie cemeteries aren't as well taken care of, not that they looked dumpy or anything
He was an engineer aboard one of our destroyers, I can't remember which one offhand.
Anyway, this couple invited me back to dinner as they realized I had a keen interest and appreciation for what he and others had done, despite my "youth". We spent hours just chatting, they were both such nice people and very intelligent too. I learned some pretty cool shit that day.
After a while the gentleman started explaining that he had some "souvenirs" from WW2 but he didn't want to give them to any of his kids because in his words, "They just wouldn't appreciate them". He knew that I would though.
Before I left, he handed me some leftover tickets they used when on furlough in England, a pass from one of those furloughs, a German Bayonette, and most incredibly, a tin of cigarettes from a German submariner from a U-boat they had damaged and forced to surface. There were, and still are, 4 cigarettes in the case from 1944!
I daresay THAT is probably my most prized possession. Everytime I look at it, I'm reminded of the men on both sides of the Battle of the North Atlantic and how terrifying it must have been.
Also, I find it kind of strange that Veteran affairs are supposed to look after graves of veterans who died more than 40 years after active service. If they had died in combat, then maybe...
Combat/wartime deaths are looked after by the CWGC, a special commission
run by the Commonwealth countries.
The father died in 1988, so he would not fall under the CWGC.
He would be entitled to a special headstone, probably paid for by
Veteran's affairs.
But I didn't know they would also pay the maintenance.
If that is true, well they do a pretty piss poor job of that as well.
Bit of a strange story, I did'nt know Veterans affairs is supposed to care for the graves of vets who died after the war.
However, the way in which most graves are treated is pretty depressing.
They do a much better job in Europe.
I was blown away in Holland. The Canadian cemeteries there were immaculate. Even their own civvie cemeteries aren't as well taken care of, not that they looked dumpy or anything
To be fair, the work is done by local contractors, and they do a very good job
around Europe, but they are paid by the CWGC.
Our money, money well spent for a change.
Bit of a strange story, I did'nt know Veterans affairs is supposed to care for the graves of vets who died after the war.
However, the way in which most graves are treated is pretty depressing.
They do a much better job in Europe.
I was blown away in Holland. The Canadian cemeteries there were immaculate. Even their own civvie cemeteries aren't as well taken care of, not that they looked dumpy or anything
To be fair, the work is done by local contractors, and they do a very good job
around Europe, but they are paid by the CWGC.
Our money, money well spent for a change.
Well, whoever and however it's getting done, it made a major impression on me.
Still, it is good to know who is actually responsible for the work done.
Well, whoever and however it's getting done, it made a major impression on me.
Still, it is good to know who is actually responsible for the work done.
www.cwgc.org
Some of my pictures are in the Photographic project,
to get a picture of each grave for over 1.7 million servicemen
who died in the wars.
My guess the next few years will be the best time to be in Europe.
100th anniversary of WWI,
the 75th anniversary of WWII,
and probably the last time for surviving vets to come back, as they are dying as well.
Hoping there will be a big push for money to get everything
as good as it can be, and a big push to promote it.
I find the digging up the stone and dumping at a Veteran Affairs office pretty disrespectful also...
Also, not tending to his fathers grave seems to be pretty disrespectful as well.