Mars Hill, North Carolina

Mercator's Birthday ~ March 5: The eagle, globe, and anchor constitute the emblem of the US Marine Corps. Mercator's know-how would have come in handy here. This version of the Western Hemisphere needs some high fidelity. Maps need to be semper fidelis to the globe they represent, not sloppy approximations. Mars Hill Cemetery. [2012]

Albemarle, North Carolina

National Capitals on American Soil ~ London:  London shares the honor of highest ranked global city with New York. London is the capital of what country? If you said England, you would be wrong. England does not have a capital (even though Wales and Scotland do). If you said the United Kingdom, you would be right. If you want to learn something more about the city, consult Geographically Yours. Fairview Memorial Park. [2019]

Thomasville, North Carolina

Instead of a Dash – A Cross:  What would normally be a dash between dates is the United Methodist Church's cross and flame. It looks like he let two things fill his life: first, the military; second, the church. Five lines total: three are devoted to military service. Fair Grove UMC Cemetery. [2013]

Moyock, North Carolina

The First Shall be Last, and The Last First:  Yesterday's A-name was Atsi. Today's is derived through Norman French from Atso, meaning "noble." In fact, the word 'ace' still has a noble connotation. It is used to compliment a person who excels at something. Yet, this last testament says nothing about what this couple excelled at. So, let's surmise what we can from their [standard-issue] headstone. Look at their given names. What did they want to go by in the next life? By the same names they went by in this life: Charlie and Margie, not Charles and Margaret. That says something about how they treated each other, and how others treated them. Memorial Cemetery. [2018]

Rocky Mount, North Carolina

Headstone Sculptures:  Novelty headstones are always a thrill to find, especially when they contradict the uniformity of the surrounding landscape. In cemeteries, tires usually appear on a vehicle (presumably so the interred can make a quick getaway). This time, a symbolic tire stands alone. What story is it trying to tell? Pineview Cemetery. [2012]

Salvo, North Carolina

Adjacencies ~ Eateries: What is adjacent to the cemetery? In this case it is Dockside Crabs, which is not really dockside at all. Think about it, though: The name 'Cemetery-side Crabs' just doesn't have the same appeal. Rest assured, however, that the crabs are very local: We are on North Carolina's Outer Banks. Salvo Cemetery. [2019]

Kitty Hawk, North Carolina

The Last Shall Be First, and The First Last:  All Zeiglers are getting ready to celebrate tomorrow: January 26. It is Z-Day, ground zero for anyone with terminal alphbetitis. Why the 26th? Because Z is the 26th letter of the alphabet. Why January? Because "the last shall be first," and January is the first month of the year. If you are a fellow Z, hope you have a happy Z-Day. [2018]

Lumberton, North Carolina

Footprints in the Sand:  " . . . When the last scene of his life flashed before him, he looked back at the footprints in the sand. He noticed that at many times along the path of his life, there was only one set of footprints. He also noticed that it happened at the very lowest and saddest times in his life. This really troubled him, and he questioned the Lord about it. ‘Lord, you said that once I decided to follow you, you'd walk with me all the way. But I noticed that during the most troublesome times of my life, there is only one set of footprints. I don't understand why when I needed you the most you would leave me.' . . . " To be continued. Meadowbrook Cemetery. [2011]

Boone, North Carolina

Voices from the Land of the Living ~ Third Person Singular Subjective Case:  "She kept the faith, lived to serve God, her family and others. Her husband and children were her greatest blessings on earth." / "He achieved success here because he loved God, lived well, laughed often, and loved much." Mountain Memorial Park. [2012]

Moyock, North Carolina

Voices from the Land of the Living ~ First Person Plural Subjective Case:  "Beloved Brother. We have a special bond that will never be broken. You will be in my heart forever." Memorial Cemetery. [2018]

Heathsville, North Carolina

Voices from the Land of the Living ~ First Person Plural Subjective Case:  "We love you Pop."  Pleasant Hill Missionary Baptist Church Cemetery. [2016]

Warrenton, North Carolina

Surname Initials as Identifying Logos ~ L:  The letter L is the 11th most frequently used letter in the English language. That seems fitting since el is the first syllable in the word eleven. Here, that capital L looks very thorny, even barbed. Could it be an early example of a barbed-wire font? Providence United Methodist Church Cemetery at Afton. [2013]

Siler City, North Carolina

One True Love ~ The Family Farm:  The scene is set, but the names have yet to be added. Visit a monument company and you will have your choice of copy art, some of which you will identify with and some of which you won't. Perhaps an agricultural landscape is for you. No matter what the real farm looked like, this rendition of a generic farmstead might appeal to anyone who lived out their days farming the land. It may not have been their farm, but it was a farm. As for the couple: It may not have been them, but at least it's a couple! Chatham Monument Company. [2005]

Weaverville, North Carolina

Fantastical Birds and Where to Find Them:  They are in a cemetery, but they are not dead. They are full-figured, but they are not granite sculptures. They are denizens of New Jersey, but they are not confined by bricks and mortar. They are wild turkeys, and their presence illustrates the role of the cemetery not only as an aviary, but also as a wildlife preserve. Cemeteries help keep cities green. West Memorial Park. [2012]

Boone, North Carolina

The Holy Estate of Matrimony ~ Two Rings:  Genesis 2:24: "Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh." Mark 10:7-8: "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife and the two will become one flesh." 1 + 1 = 1 Not very scientific, but true! Mountlawn Memorial Park. [2012]

Valle Crucis, North Carolina

The Holy Estate of Matrimony:  They were married at the Naval Memorial Chapel in Norfolk, Virginia, and are eternally proud of it. Lots of tombstones announce the date of marriage, but few announce the place of marriage. If the pastor here at Holy Cross Episcopal Church ever forgets his Bible, all he has to do is head outside to the graveyard. Eight Bible verses (presumably his and her favorites) are there on this headstone and ready to be quoted from the pulpit. [2012]

Lumberton, North Carolina

America's Most Famous Lighthouse:  Do you recognize the Cape Hatteras Light? The candy stripes give it away. Americans love superlatives, and the tower at Cape Hatteras is the nation's tallest. We love it so much we put it on our headstones and take it to heaven with us. In fact, it points toward heaven, presumably so visitors will know where we have gone. Thus, a landscape element becomes a deathscape element. Meadowbrook Cemetery. [2011]

Lumberton, North Carolina

Golf Forever:  He probably dreamed of playing golf with the big boys: The King, The Golden Bear, The Great White Shark, Champagne Tony. Now, guess who he's playing with: the big boy upstairs!  Meadowbrook Cemetery. [2011]

Warrenton, North Carolina

A is for Abbott:  What does Abbott mean? In one word: priest. But, it derives from the Aramaic (and Hebrew) word for 'father' (abba). The root is recognizable from the name Abraham, which means 'father of multitudes.' The family name on this headstone is deeply rooted in world culture, just as the first and middle names are deeply rooted in American culture. The suffix 'Jr.' puts the use of 'George Washington' into perspective. In the decades following the Civil War, names chosen from the pantheon of patriotism were common. His father would have been born during that time period. Sulphur Springs Baptist Church Cemetery. [2013]

North Wilkesboro, North Carolina

And I Will Raise You Up on Eagles Wings:  Here the eagle (clearly a bald eagle, i,e, a real American) appears in the context of patriotism. Its companions are the American flag and the uniform of the U.S. Army. As a symbol, the eagle seems to transcend not only secular and sacred, but also meek and mighty. Mountlawn Memorial Park. [2014]