PHOTOS: Gravestones At National Cemetery Surprisingly Diverse

Tuesday, May 30, 2017
John Shearer

Flat graves that were popular for a few years a generation ago

photo by John Shearer

Pioneering woman veteran Beverly Allison Swingle

photo by John Shearer

Medal of Honor recipient William Zion

photo by John Shearer

Reuben Brown of Alabama served with — that’s right — the Union

photo by John Shearer

Up-close view of grave of Irish native Patrick O'Leary

photo by John Shearer

Noted Chattanoogan Sam S. Nicklin

photo by John Shearer

Ben Nicklin’s grave

photo by John Shearer

Ferman Henderson

photo by John Shearer

Stanley spouse was named Prudence

photo by John Shearer

Grave of Anthony Osterdock of Indiana

photo by John Shearer

Ohioan Henry Britton rests near giant tree

photo by John Shearer

O.H. Russell marker also by tree

photo by John Shearer

Unusual medallion on back of one grave

photo by John Shearer

Grave of Dr. Bob Fowler

photo by John Shearer

While over at the National Cemetery visiting the grave of my late mother, Velma Shearer, Monday afternoon and photographing it with a flag and a floral arrangement in front of it, I began to notice how different some of the graves nearby are.

Around the area just left of the entrance, the markers are all kinds of shapes and sizes, not just the vertical shape with a rounded top used for decades except for a brief period when flat markers were used.

With the quiet setting, even though numerous automobiles were driving around the giant circle and a storm was moving in, I decided to photograph a few of these markers.

I began wondering what their stories were and whether many — particularly the ones from the Civil War era — ever get visited often by descendants or by anyone other than Boy Scouts delivering flags.

I also realized they were all likely different in personality, but similar in their service to their country or their support of a spouse who had worn a military uniform.

jcshearer2@comcast.net