Remembering the Children...

The saddest part of cemeteries are the deceased children. It's hard to see the names of children and infants carved into cold stone. I begin to imagine the horrors that once existed that may have caused these unfortunate deaths. Consumption, influenza, measles, diphtheria, smallpox, etc. Our fear of most of those things have long been laid to rest, like the victims they all took. I also imagine the grieving parents who once stood on the very spot where I now stand, their hearts forever broken. For a moment they live in my mind's eye, until I see their own resting place nearby, and then I remember those moments are long, long over. But there's a positive side to this because I once again have the opportunity to feel thankful that my own kids are alive and well, and so am I.

Old Church Cemetery, Glastonbury, CT.

So far, this is the only grave I've come across with this decoration. I've seen a lot of similar signs for former servicemen, firemen and police, but this is the first one I've seen to designate a former member of the Union Army.


This designates membership in an organization for honorably discharged veterans of the Union Army, Navy, Marine Corps or the Revenue Cutter Service, who had served between April 12, 1861 and April 9, 1865.

James Armando

I'm not sure about the difference in the first name, but it appears the Green Cemetery (Glastonbury, CT.) has a former Olympian. And since Veteran's Day will be celebrated in a few days this man should also be acknowledged for his service to our country back in WWI. Take notice of the rock on the top left side of the tombstone indicating that someone has visited this grave.

1924: Paris, France
Armando, John: 4000m Team Pursuit, did not place
Bonlicault, John: Road Race 188km, third @ 7:15:51.6; Team Road Race, 11th
Braet, Rene: Reserve
Fenn, William S.: 1000m Scratch, eliminated/semis; 2000m tandem, did not place; 4000m Team Pursuit, did not place; 50km, did not place
Gronkowski, Ignatius: 50km, did not place; Road Race (188km) 45th @ 7:34:41.8; Team Road Race, 11th
Hentschel, Gus: 4000m Team Pursuit, did not place; Road Race (188km), 49th @ 7:52:59.6; Team Road Race, 11th
Hopkins, Victor: 4000m Team Pursuit, did not place; Road Race (188km), 59th @ 8:29:02.0; Team Road Race, 11th
Staff: D.J. McIntyre; manager

 http://www.usacycling.org/us-olympic-cycling-rosters-1900-1996.htm