Lacey, New Jersey

New Jersey's Barnegat Lighthouse:  The fish is as long as the lighthouse is tall. If that's the Barnegat Light (and it surely is), then that fish is 169 feet long, and that is one strong man! Fish tales: they're as good in death as they are in life! Good Luck Cemetery. [2015]

Absecon, New Jersey

New Jersey's Lighthouses:  Since these two are apparently among the pre-dead (i.e., no date of death), they probably selected the design of their headstone themselves. Did they know their logogram stretched all the way back to ancient Egypt's obelisks and the Pharos at Alexandria? Did they know those birds stretched all the way back to the age of dinosaurs? Absecon Presbyterian Church. [2016]

Lacey, New Jersey

New Jersey's Lighthouses:  The generic lighthouse is a staple of cemetery memorials all over the United States. For Christians it recalls the promise of Jesus, who said, "I am the light of the word: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life." (John 8:12) In this case, though, it was "Mother" who stood tall as the family's guiding light. Good Luck Cemetery. [2015]

Atlantic City, New Jersey

New Jersey's Lighthouses:  The lighthouse is one of the most popular images to appear on headstones in America's cemeteries, and New Jersey (with its long coastline) is a logical place to find them. Sometimes the images are of the generic variety; sometimes they represent real lighthouses. Probably the most important symbol on this marker, however, is the fighter aircraft. Underneath, it says Tuskegee Airmen. A legend lies buried here, a beacon of bravery. Atlantic City Cemetery. [2016]

Kranji, Republic of Singapore

Kranji Cemetery and Singapore Memorial:  The stature of Kranji Cemetery is affirmed by these two graves. The first two Presidents of the Republic of Singapore are buried here: Yusef Ishak (1910-1970) and Benjamin Henry Sheares (1907-1981). Both died in office. [2016]

Kranji, Republic of Singapore

Kranji Cemetery and Singapore Memorial:  Unlike the names on the Singapore Memorial, the remains of these soldiers and airmen were recovered and interred (or re-interred) here. "Their name liveth for evermore." As if in formation, they lie in neat rows, organized by regiment, but without regard to rank. [2016]

Kranji, Republic of Singapore

Kranji Cemetery and Singapore Memorial:  The Singapore Memorial bears the names of 24,000 Commonwealth soldiers and airmen who lost their lives during World War II, but whose remains were never recovered. "Their name liveth for evermore." Commonwealth forces included many Sikhs from the Indian sub-continent. Sikh boys are given the last name Sing (also translated as Singh); if they use a family name, Sing becomes their middle name. Note how the three wreaths blend to form the sign of infinity. [2016]

Kranji, Republic of Singapore

Kranji Cemetery and War Memorial:  They were gunners who served in the Royal Artillery. They offered their lives in the pursuit of right and glory. On the same day in 1942, both were killed. One was 34, the other 26. One was an only son. "Their name liveth for evermore." [2016]

Everywhere
That Right and Glory Lead

Kranji, Republic of Singapore

Kranji Cemetery and War Memorial:  The Kranji cemetery and Singapore Memorial are "dedicated to the memory of the soldiers, sailors and airmen who fought valiantly against the Japanese invading forces" during World War II. The entrance is marked by an epitaph that has been used in military cemeteries and on veterans' headstones all over the world: "Their name liveth for evermore." It is attributed to Rudyard Kipling, though it is apparently drawn from the Book of Ecclesiasticus (not Ecclesiastes). [2016]

Rantoul, Illinois

Across the Last Divide via Camper:  These are the parents of the "baby boom" generation. After the war, came a car for every family and a new generation of paved highways. To make the most of it, you needed a camper and a campsite. They made for cheap family vacations and rich childhood memories. Rantoul Ludlow Cemetery. [2015]

Bolivar, New York

Across the Last Divide via Camper:  They must have said welcome to many friends, birds included, as they made America's highways their own. Then, one of them took a different turn in the road and hurried off to heaven, the ultimate campground! Maple Lawn Cemetery. [2013]

Jefferson City, Missouri

Across the Last Divide via Camper:  They had two children and seven grandchildren. Was this their means of giving the kids a family vacation? They've just pulled into a familiar campsite beside a stream they know so well from many previous visits. And, already, their fishing poles are rattling off the wall and their taste buds are prepping for a fish fry. Resurrection Catholic Cemetery. [2015]

Georgetown, Illinois

Across the Last Divide via RV:  Wedding bells rang for this couple on April 22, 1950. Now look at the date he died: just a few days shy of his 50th wedding anniversary. Here is what a geographer wishes were on the other side of this headstone: A map showing all the roads he and his wife traveled in their RV. Forest Park Cemetery. [2015]

Greensburg, Indiana

Across the Last Divide via RV:  He retired in 1986 and died in 1993. That gave him and his wife a few years to enjoy the nation's countryside in their RV. A case of escapism, perhaps. Take a look at their children's names and then think how many grandchildren they must have had. Anyone have the story behind "world's youngest judge"? South Park Cemetery. [2014]

Chloride, Arizona

Across the Last Divide via RV:  Right age and right environment to be snow birds, they are, though the ghost town of Chloride is an odd place to spend your twilight years. This RV looks big enough to sustain habitation year around. Do you have the geographic vocabulary to identify the physical features in the area where it is parked? Chloride Cemetery. [2009]