Honor all the dead with dignity

It was appalling to read Jeff Jardine's article "Indians called to help fix plot" (June 17, Page B-1) about the condition of a new grave in the Acacia Memorial Park. Yes, I say new, because six months is new for a grave. The marker cannot be affixed to the grave until the ground disturbance has settled. Then new grass will be planted.

Cigarette butts are always a sorry sight in any cemetery. My heart goes out to the Ogburn family, who have experienced this pain. When the grass has taken hold and is ready for regular mowing, the problem with butts will be solved by the machinery.

Acacia has an impeccable reputation for the maintenance of graves. I often observe Sam and all of his grounds crew hard at work maintaining the more than 13,000 graves with dignity.

Like the Ogburn family, we take burial grounds seriously. But unlike Mr. Jardine, we cannot and will not use an historic line that dates back to the "Trail of Tears" as a punchline. Rest in peace.

MILLIE STARR Modesto