Beaumont, California

Flags as Icons of Cross-Cultural Identities:  In all likelihood she was born in Mexico and spent her life in the United States. Of both, she was obviously proud. As a mother, she was loved and will always be in the memories of her offspring. Was the rose chosen to symbolize her first name? Mountain View Cemetery. [2015]

Frederick, Maryland

Flags as Icons of Cross-Cultural Identities:  DRE ONE: It appears two times on this memorial, once in granite and once on the dog tag. Who knows what that means? Easier to figure out is the symbolism of the two flags: U.S. and Poland. But, the names do not sound very Polish. Mt. Olivet Cemetery. [2014]

Beckley, West Virginia

Flags as Icons of Cross-Cultural Identities:  He was a decorated veteran who must have spent some time in Korea. He wasn't old enough to serve in the Korean War, so he was probably assigned to one of American's dozen military bases in the ROK. Do you think that is where he met his wife? It looks like she embraced both cultures, and Christianity, too, judging from the praying hands. In all probability she was a Christian when they met, since half the South Korea population is Christian. Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens. [2014]

Yorba Linda, California

Focus on Presidential Grave Sites ~ Richard Nixon:  Buried  to President Nixon's left is the First Lady, Pat Nixon (who was never referred to as Patricia, nor was it her name!). She spent eight years as wife of the American Vice-President and eight years as wife of the the President: a fifth of her life. Chosen for his headstone: "Even when people can't speak your language, they can tell if you have love in your heart." That seems entirely appropriate for one of the most internationally traveled First Ladies, who was sometimes called "Madame Ambassador." [2016]

Yorba Linda, California

Focus on Presidential Grave Sites ~ Richard Nixon:  America's 37th president was sworn into office on January 20, 1969. His term ended with his resignation at noon on August 9, 1974, while aboard Air Force One. A helicopter, Army One, took him from the White House to Andrews Air Fore Base, where he began the journey home to California. The chopper is on display at the Nixon Library. It all happened 42 years ago this week. Chosen for his headstone: "The greatest honor history can bestow is the title of peacemaker." [2016]

Yorba Linda, California

Focus on Presidential Grave Sites ~ Richard Nixon:  The President and First Lady are buried on the grounds of the Nixon Presidential Library and Museum just feet away from the bungalow where he was born in 1913. He remains the only American President born in California, but not the only one buried there. [2016]

Hoboken, Georgia

Golf Forever:  Read his full name: Doesn't it just sound like a golfer's name? Doesn't that italic type add some forward motion to the drive? And that t behind the golf balls: Is that a monogram signifying his family name? Evergreen Cemetery. [2012]

Atlanta, Georgia

Golf Forever:  If you were at it in the 1930s and 40s, Bobby Jones would have been a name you knew. He's a legend, still, especially in his home state, where he founded "Augusta" and co-founded the Master's Tournament. Golf balls brought by the devout still spell out love at his grave. More interesting: the T (his middle initial) he chose for his headstone monogram. Oakland Cemetery. [2014]

Haines City, Florida

Golf Forever:  He must have been retired for a decade, maybe more. And, this must have been his favorite posture. Forest Hill Cemetery. [2014]