Tennessee's honored dead are under assault.

Murfreesboro, Tennessee has been recognized as the number one "boom town" in the United States. The demand for land is exploding. We are tearing down the older homes and making way for new construction. Farmers are selling their land to developers for staggering prices, and even land that held little use for agriculture is being eagerly developed. Many of these once rural settings contain "family cemeteries."

Vandalism and Destruction

Cemetery vandalism is a common problem since most of Tennessee's 30,000 cemeteries cannot be effectively monitored or managed. Destruction often takes the form of gravestone clearing by developers. They may or may not be aware of the acreage being a burial site. Stones are easily shoved under, and those who lie sleeping in eternal repose tend to not complain very loudly.

It's Happening Here

Another cemetery locally is being requested to follow the legal process of relocating the graves for development. My question is "who will stand up and speak for the dead"?  Current laws punish those who damage cemeteries, if known, but do little to prevent the destruction. Current laws do nothing to assist or encourage the interpretation and protection of our ancestors' resting places.

Time to Act is Now!

It is time to do something. There have been conversations with the State Historic Commission regarding new laws to permit the local formation of local countywide Historic Cemetery Commissions. There may be reluctance from lawmakers to support such legislation because of the fear of being labeled as supportive of a fee to fund it. It is important they hear from you, the voters.

Call Your Local Commissioners and State Representatives

If protecting the final resting places of those we love is important to you, please make your voices heard. Anything worthwhile require effort. Nothing meaningful is ever created without there being a cost associated. Just remember, one day it may be one of us who is being dug up and dumped somewhere to make way for a condo or shopping center.

Is one less trip a week to buy a fancy latte worth that to you?