Memorial Day flowers, wreaths and flags were removed in less than one week from the graves at Fort McPherson National Cemetery, much to the dismay of many people who placed them there.

The flowers could be placed at the graves on Friday, May 23, said Bonnie Johnson of North Platte, ahead of Memorial Day on Monday, May 26.

When Johnson went to the cemetery Friday, May 30, to pick up the wreaths she’d left there, they were gone. A worker said they picked them up to be out of the way of mowers.

“Is it that important to mow?” Johnson asked the Bulletin. “I’m sorry, they cannot be left there for even a week. I couldn’t believe it.”

Johnson said she arrived at 11:30 a.m. Friday. The entire south side – the original part of the cemetery – had been cleared of flowers.

Johnson was told that flowers were in a storage shed and she could look for the wreaths; however, she felt the shed contained thousands of flowers.

“The grass didn’t look that high to me,” she said. “I think it’s wrong that people can’t even honor their loved ones for a week.”

Cemetery Director Matt Hoff said the grass was growing rapidly after several days of rain, so they were caught between a rock and hard place to some extent.

“I take responsibility for it,” Hoff said. “Lots of people are coming out to pick up their flowers. It’s unfortunate, and I feel bad. Next year, we’ll leave all of them in place for a week.”

Hoff said flowers were left in place on the north side of the cemetery, and the flowers that were removed on the south side will be kept safe for people who want to pick them up.

“We’ve had someone out there all day, helping people get them,” Hoff said Friday afternoon.

The Fort McPherson website indicates that flowers will be left in place for seven days: It says:

• You can place fresh cut flowers on your loved one’s grave throughout the year.
• At the time of burial, floral arrangements with the casket or urn will be placed on the completed grave.
• Floral items will be removed from graves when they become faded or unsightly. Government supplied plastic flower containers are available for your use.
• Floral policies are posted at the cemetery.
• You can place artificial flowers on graves from Oct. 10 through March 15. Artificial flowers are also allowed during the week of Memorial Day and will be removed seven days after the holiday.

On the other hand

We received a letter to the editor from a veteran, defending the staff at Fort McPherson. Read it here.

Theft at North Platte Cemetery

Also, Ron and Audrey Rousey said the flowers left on their parents’ graves at the North Platte Cemetery have been stolen for the second year in row.

Their letter to the editor is here.

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