Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery Offers Cleaner Alternatives to Old Tradition

SAN ANTONIO – To almost anyone who has been there, the rows of gleaming white marble headstones at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery make it clear that this is a very unique burial site.

“National cemeteries are national sanctuaries,” said cemetery director Jerry Lefler.

Lefler said that as a result, other than fresh or plastic flowers left in vases provided by the cemetery, there are few, if any, balloons, stuffed animals or other mementos left at the graves .

These items are picked up once a month because otherwise they could damage the headstone or pose a hazard to the mowers maintaining the grounds, Lefler said.

But there is also a much-loved tradition that can pose a certain problem.

Said to date back to Greek and Roman times, Earl Fontenot of the Wounded Warrior Project said leaving coins on graves became a silent tribute during the Vietnam War, when it was unpopular to show support to the troops, even to fallen soldiers.

Fontenot said small change someone left on headstones served as a message to the victims’ families.

He said the visitor would leave a penny if they visited, a nickel if they trained together, a penny if they served together overseas and a quarter if they were there at the time of their death.

Still, Fontenot said he understands how that could possibly be a problem, “especially here with the humidity, if it rains, these pieces can stain the headstones.”

Lefler said cemetery crews collect them regularly because otherwise the pieces could discolor and damage the white marble headstones.

“Then we have to take a sander and sand the surface of the marble,” Lefler said.

He said the coins collected are used to purchase plants and trees and for the continued beautification of the cemetery.

But they say there are cleaner alternatives than honoring a loved one.

Lefler said there is now a Veterans Legacy Memorial administered by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, a web page dedicated to more than 10 million veterans where families can leave photos, messages and personal tributes.

So rather than leaving a coin on top of the headstone, “Take a photo of it.” Collect your part, then upload that photo to VLM,” Lefler said. “Then it lasts forever. This way you preserve the beauty of the tombstone.

Fontenot also suggested making the photo of the coin on the headstone part of a family’s personal memorial or altar in their home.

In addition to the little patriotic gnomes and little American flags, JoAnn Longoria said she plans to leave a coin at the grave of her father-in-law, a World War II veteran who fought in Europe.

“For everything he did for us, and his sacrifice too,” she said.

When told about the idea of ​​taking a photo and posting it on the Veterans Legacy Memorial website, Longoria said, “I’ll do it shortly after I finish decorating his space.”

Perhaps even more significant than the testimonies of remembrance, Fontenot said: “As civilians, you want to live a life worthy of their sacrifice. »

Also on KSAT.com: