Maple Grove Cemetery: Great Lakes National Cemetery, Holly MI (pic heavy!!)

I was so excited that the family agreed to take a road trip to a cemetery with me on this Memorial Day weekend!! Of course, with it being a national cemetery, why wouldn't they want to go?

Beautiful entryway with the Avenue of Flags

This is directly behind that wall above - so you can see it on your way out.

Not exactly sure why this was here, but it's neat anyway.

The 544 acre cemetery is fairly new, it began operations in October 2005 and is averaging 10 burials per day. There is room for 100,000 graves.

Its crazy how perfect the rows are!

As soon as we wandered thru the first section, we got interested in the religious markings and were astounded at how many there were! This required pictures and further research as to what they are.

Christian Church

The Luther Rose

Luthern Church, Missouri Synod

Infinity

Celtic Cross

Christian Cross

Community of Christ

New Apostolic

Medicine Wheel

Landing Eagle

United Methodist

Mormon

7th Day Adventist Church

Judaism

Presbyterian Church

Greek Cross

Celtic Cross

Kohen Hands (a Jewish blessing symbol)

7th Day Adventist - they look so much better with the black paint

First Church of Christ, Scientist

Lutheran Cross

Judaism

Buddhist

Muslim

Humanist Emblem of Spirit

Atheist

Another version of First Church of Christ, Scientist

New Apostolic

Russian Orthodox Cross

Konko-Yko Faith

United Moravian Church

Unitarian

Christian & Missionary Alliance

Armenian Cross

Serbian Orthodox

Lutheran Church, Missouri Synod

Some stones caught my attention either because they had funny or thoughtful epitaphs or they had been in the Navy (like I was) and I wanted to figure out what rate they were. The rate abbreviations have changed over the years.

ADJ2 - Aviation Boatswain Mate, Jet Engine Mechanic, second class (E-5)

AEM2 - Aviation Electrician's Mate, second class (E-5)

"It Ain't Nothing But a Party"

A Seaman in the Army sounds weird!

The Air Medal is awarded for meritorious achievement while

participating in aerial flight.

He must not have been in for very long - an SR is an E-1 or the lowest of the low men on the totem pole!

I like how they acknowledge his adoption.

Yet another cemetery that will put the spouse on the back of the stone when they are buried together. The 8-110 is the section and stone #.

The Bronze Star is the 4th highest award available. It is awarded for acts of heroism, acts of merit, or meritorious service in a combat zone. Respect.

"May Your Free Spirit Be Your Guide"

"Free Thinker, Scientist, Human Rights & Peace Activist"

BKR2 - Baker, second class (E-5)

No comment needed.

PRTR3 - Printer, third class (E-4)

WT3 - Water Tender, third class (E-4)

S1 - Seaman (E-3)

"Inspiration to All / Mr. Happy"

I wonder if Frank & Chester were buddies?

"The Pipes, The Pipes Are Calling"

Purple Heart - Combat Wounded. Much Respect.

RM3 - Radioman, third class (E-4) - this one still exists

"Sailor Rest, Thy Work Is Done"

"It Just Don't Get No Better Than That"

"Senior Coffee To Go Please"

"The Bus Has Left"

I can't believe I didn't get a pic of the one that had a husband & wife in it. It said something like "65 years together on Earth, now eternally together" Beautiful!!

This is the Columbiarium - where the urns are filed.

Watch out for random weird leaping kids!

After all this, we hopped in the car and drove toward the back where we saw another section.

The "In Memory Of" section.

"with willing heart and skillful hands,

the difficult we do at once,

the impossible just takes a bit longer."

This is the plaque in front of the bell tower.

I realized after I took this pic that there were several from the USS Grunion in that row.

USS Grunion (SS-216), a submarine, was patrolling off Kiska, Alaska in 1942 when she reported heavy anti-submarine activity and was never heard from again. What happened remained a mystery until August 2007 when a wreck was discovered in the Bering Sea that was verified to be the Grunion.