Soldier's Graves Defaced

[tugboat]

Hi Guys;
I know, long time no post...I read, but I couldn't think of anything to say...
So any way, I was passing through Johnston City Tennessee. I looked to my left and there was a National Cemetery. I had been there a couple of years ago for a funeral...all the crosses are gone. They ripped up crosses from vets all the way back to the Spanish American War... it pissed me off...flat markers...cheaper to mow...no long lines of white markers, just a flat field

Tug

[Gypsy]

That's a damn shame to say the least.

[Chris Cram]

Did the ACLU have anything to do with the removal?
Or was it strictly a maintenance issue?
Either way, it’s just wrong.

[The Reaper]

Probably offended someone who didn't want to see crosses and Stars of David, so they had to go.

TR

[echoes]

Sir, this makes my blood boil!

So, called the Johnson City, Tn City offices, and was given the phone number and extension of the VA Hospital Dept. of
Whomever takes care of The Cemetary;
(Ph # 423.926.1171 x 7814)

No One was available at that extension, and was told to try back in the morning.

So I called the number for The City Manager:

City Government
City of Johnson City
601 East Main Street
Johnson City, TN 37601

Phone: (423) 434-6002
Fax: (423) 434-6295

I asked to leave a message for The Mayor as to "Why the Crosses had been removed from the graves of Our Veterans?"
Said she would call back in the morning...


EDIT TO ADD:

Thank You Tugboat Sir...
"The Cemetery is actually co-located with the Mountain Home VA Center. This caused a bit of confusion because there is another National Cemetery located near Johnson City-the Andrew Johnson Memorial."

Heard from Them today reguarding WHY there were no crosses at Their Memorial cemetary: Was told that there are no crosses because, "There are no crosses allowed."

[tugboat]

Hi Guys;
I got through to the guy that actually runs the cemetery. He says that the markers were removed so that the cemetery can be renovated. He says that the markers have been/ will be replaced and that they were moved so that new turf could be put on the graves. This is not what the guy driving the big yellow loader full of really old headstones told me. He very definitely stated that the markers were being replaced with flat markers that were faster and easier to mow over (he even made arm motions like he was driving a zero turn mower). The cemetery administrator also said that dozens of people have called him...thanks guys.

Tug