Author Archives: gravelyspeaking

Homesick

Posted on July 26, 2011 by gravelyspeaking

As I  walked through the Rose Hill Cemetery in Bloomington, Indiana, I was surprised to see “LOST ON THE TITANIC” carved into a large granite monument.  There in front of me was a part of one of the most dramatic … Continue reading →

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Tumulus

Posted on July 25, 2011 by gravelyspeaking

The tumulus is a mound form of burial that dates back to prehistoric peoples 4,ooo to 5,ooo years B.C.  Examples can be found throughout Europe, Asia, and North America.  There are many examples in the United States from Maine to Georgia … Continue reading →

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The Elks metal markers

Posted on July 24, 2011 by gravelyspeaking

The Benevolent Protective Order of Elks metal marker above includes the two most significant symbols for the Elks Club memebers–the Elk, of course, and the clock with the hands frozen at the 11:00 o’clock hour when the Elks traditionally remember their … Continue reading →

Posted in Metal Markers | 2 Comments

President William Howard Taft

Posted on July 23, 2011 by gravelyspeaking

The elegant 14 and a half foot tall Stony Creek granite monument designed by James Earl Frazer marks the graves of United States President William Howard Taft and his wife and First Lady, Helen Herron Taft.  Gold lettering states their names … Continue reading →

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BPOE

Posted on July 20, 2011 by gravelyspeaking

The Robert Maxwell gray granite block monument in the Fairmont Cemetery in Denver, Colorado, displays the initials B.P.O.E (Benevolent Protective Order of Elks) and one of the most important Elk’s motifs–the clock with the hands pointing to eleven o’clock.  The … Continue reading →

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Elks

Posted on July 19, 2011 by gravelyspeaking

The Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, one of the many fraternal organizations in the United States, was originally a drinking club called the Jolly Corks founded in 1866 by a group of actors, who evidently liked to drink.  The club … Continue reading →

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The Rose

Posted on July 5, 2011 by gravelyspeaking

 What lovesick boy doesn’t know the meaning of a single rose, standing there on the front porch, at the beginning of his first date, nervously clutching the flower while he waits expectantly for the door to open and for his … Continue reading →

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Modern Woodmen of America

Posted on June 26, 2011 by gravelyspeaking

Joseph Cullen was a prolific founder–he founded four fraternal organizations during his lifetime, one of them being the Modern Woodmen of America (MWA).  MWA was founded on on January 5, 1883.  Root himself had been a member of several organizations, including the … Continue reading →

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Another Sea Shell

Posted on June 25, 2011 by gravelyspeaking

The shell is an obvious symbol of baptism because of its association to water.  In fact, a shell is often used to scoop up and sprinkle water during the baptismal ceremony and often designed as part of the decoration and symbolism … Continue reading →

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Cloaked sentinel

Posted on June 24, 2011 by gravelyspeaking

There were two cemeteries, The Mormon Pioneer Cemetery and Forest Lawn Cemetery, close to Florence Elementary School where I attended kindergarten through fifth grade.  Since the Pioneer Cemetery was on the way home, if I took the long way, I never spent … Continue reading →

Posted in Symbolism, Uncategorized | 2 Comments