Discussions

First off, I couldn't usually give a hoot about a Cemetery. I remember visiting my gramma's grave as a kid. That's it. I couldn't give a care.  
 
Now that I'm older, I am doing geneaology now for my elderly Dad right now and compiling a family tree.  
 
I have been in touch with England and Ireland Cemeteries and records offices searching for my grandfather. There are some spectacular pictures of graves and wonderfully preserved graveyards there.  
 
So, in my quest, I visit the Brandon Cemetery. What a nice place with many old Brandon names and a very peaceful existence.  
 
The embarassing part? No entrance other than a sign that resembles a Dept of Highways sign for the Bdn. Cemetery and the beautiful iron fence along 18th Street South is cockeyed and falling over. There are sections that have been destoyed and laying on the ground and I was astounded at the lack of care.  
 
I know these people are dead (my relatives included) but I feel the Cemetery grounds should be looked after a little more. I have no problem with dead people in a cemetery, but at least it should look presentable...not with fallen over fences and a mish-mash of piece work.  
 
Note - no real entrance to the Cemetery as compared to teeny cemetery's in the country with nice Iron Gates. Also. the next time you turn right off 18th South down Aberdeen (maybe going to Sobeys or Canadian Tire), check and you will see 3 graves on a City boulevard on Aberdeen, 3 feet next to screaming traffic - away from the rest of the graves. These graves were maybe misplanned but I was taken aback by this poor planning.  
 
These dead people are part of Brandon and if you were raised here, there are so many great family names in the Cemetery. So much history here in Brandon with Slavic names, English and Irish names and some Italian names.  
 
Am I out to lunch? Should we have a decent cemetery where people can pay tribute to their family members? It looks as though they've tried with a blank garden or two and a park bench, but it just doesn't cut it.  
 
Sorry for the rambling, but I have now had a new appreciation for family and old Brandon Names and I think there are many small towns that do this better than Brandon. After all, it is the key to our history.