There is no reason for the Oak Ridge Cemetery to have grass waist high.
I was there to put flowers on my mother's and her mother's grave, and it was just heartbreaking to see that. I ran into an elderly gentleman looking for two graves. He looked at me and said he couldn't find them.
I was also up at Eastern Light Cemetery; I have family up there, too, including my grandfather, who fought in the Civil War. My two cousins, my aunt and I fixed the fence, cut the grass and cleaned headstones for two days.
It's just sad that we as human beings have no compassion for another human being - dead or alive. It's just a sad world we live in. Something has to be done about Oak Ridge and Eastern Light cemeteries.
I am putting a challenge out to the people of Altoona to help clean up and keep up those two cemeteries. I did my part this weekend. Let's see who else steps up.
I don't want to forget the two cemeteries in Bellwood. They were just beautiful. I have to give them their due. I live in Harrisburg now, but my roots are in Altoona.
Mary Kemp-Johnson
Harrisburg
