Oakwood Cemetery board members clarified a tombstone law Thursday in response to a letter to the Times-Union editor during their last meeting of the year.

A widow was distressed by the removal of a bronze medallion marking her husband's grave when a tombstone was purchased with his name engraved on it.

"The bronze marker is provided free by the federal government so no veteran's grave goes unmarked," Oakwood Cemetery Sexton David Shaw said.

Shaw indicated Mrs. Norma McGuire had visited the office recently and he explained the plaque requirements to her. He went on to explain that when the grave is marked the bronze plaque is returned, per federal stipulation, to the government.

Identical bronze markers can be purchased through a monument company and placed at the gravesite or affixed to the tombstone. Or the federal plaque can be placed on a tombstone as long as the vet's name does not appear there.

"People are given the impression they're entitled to it," said Tony Lloyd of Patton Monuments. "They only go on otherwise unmarked graves."

The board heard that 28 lots with 224 spaces will be returned to the cemetery. Purchased years ago by the Kelly family, the property is outside the fence on the north side of the grounds.

Shaw said the original plan was to install crypts in the hillside overlooking Pike Lake. However the grounds crews would rather not dig there now since they lie outside the fenced area.

Board president Warren Tatter said election of officers would occur at the next meeting and he had enjoyed the last two years as president. Officers serve two-year terms.

"Fortunately," he said, "there have been very few problems. Everything has gone very smooth."

Following the approval of 10 burial plot deeds, the next meeting was set for Jan. 3 at 5 p.m. in the administration building.

Oakwood Cemetery Board of Regents members are Warren Tatter, Bob Sandy, Lewis Dobbins, Ellen Hoffer and council representative Trish Brown. [[In-content Ad]]