Washington Soldiers Home Cemetery

I have visited this cemetery several times over the last few years (pictures below will be from various visits).  I think it is one of my favorites.  It is located outside of Orting, going up the hill towards Graham.  It is on the left hand side, not to be confused with the City Cemetery which is further up the hill on the right.  Thus locals call this hill, Cemetery hill.  I like that on Memorial day and Veteran's day each grave has an American flag placed on it.  It is surreal and peaceful.  I wander through the markers that seem to salute the American flag at the top of the hill.  I wonder what all these soldiers were like and how they fought for our country, so unselfishly.  I hope that they find as much peace in their final resting place as I do.

This Staircase leads to the back of the Cemetery from Orting Kapowsin Hwy



This is one of my favorite markers

Ghosttowns of Washington also visited this Cemetery.  Please see their website, it is one of my favortie reads.  Plus they take amazing photo's.  http://www.ghosttownsofwashington.com/Orting_Soldiers_Home.html



Calvary Cemetery Sept 2011

On a beautiful day in September, I left work early and headed to the Cemetery. Just off of I-5 and 74th is Calvary Cemetery & Mausoleum. It is a Catholic cemetery, and it is beautifully maintained. I didn't come armed with my camera, but did manage to take a few with my cell phone camera. Though not the best quality, I love them. I sat for a long time with Sister Mary Anastasia O'Reilly, She passed away Sept 2, 1935. It was her Deathiversary, so I spent extra time.  Having a rough day, I cried....I felt like she was there with her hand on my shoulder, embracing me when no one else could.

On this day I also met a man name Jose, he was an older gentleman of spanish descent.  He approached me as I was sitting next to the last marker pictured.  It had a picture of a mother, holding a young child....I had been sitting there for quite some time.  Jose, introduced himself to me and asked if I was there visiting family.  I stated that I was there visiting someone's family, I supposed.  We talked about how beautiful it was outside and how much he loved his job.  He had a similar view on Cemetery's that I do.  He told me that I had an amazing aura, I found this odd since I have heard this before (a few times, stories about that will come later).  He also said that I had sadness in my eyes, but that I should rest easy because it wouldn't be there forever.  I left him to do his job, while I marvelled in his blessing.


The following information is from http://files.usgwarchives.net/wa/pierce/cemeteries/calvary.txt:

This independent Catholic cemetery began in 1905 and was reorganized
in 1933.  Some records were destroyed in 1933 but others are still kept
on site.  The cemetery is well-maintained and has expanded beyond its
original 34 acres.  Adjacent to the cemetery is the Old Tacoma Catholic
Cemetery which is now part of Calvary and is maintained by them.

Sister Mary Anastasia

 

Yelm Cemetery

I am not sure when I became fascinated with Cemetery's, perhaps it was on one of my visits to the South.  Seeing the Civil War Cemetery's was amazing (look for future posts).  I find these final resting places of our ancestors to be calming and relaxing.  For me it is cleansing to the soul to be able to walk among the resting places of some amazing people.  I always try to imagine what their story is, and what type of person they were. I always try to find someone that has my birthday and someone who its their "deathiversary" or the anniversary of thier death.  I sit quietly at their site and enjoy the silence.

I travelled to the Yelm Cemetery Friday November 25th, 2011.  I didn't really explore to much.  The Cemetery was small, but well maintained.  A list of interments can be found on the following site: http://files.usgwarchives.net/wa/thurston/cemeteries/yelm.txt

This was my favorite marker