Dear Editor:
My husband, Pete, and I are included in the many residents that were shocked and saddened to find everything removed from Canyonview Cemetery.
Our much-loved son, Michael, was buried there in 1999 and in the years following we have paid hundreds of visits to his graveside and loved the fact that it was so beautiful and peaceful.
Mike’s items taken were mostly new: silk flowers in a holder that fit perfectly in the cutout on the cement which his sister sent from 2,500 kilometres away in May of this year, a stone she sent from Montreal not long after Mike passed away and a solar light we had just purchased.
The writing Lori put on the stone had long since disappeared but it was used to support many bunches of fresh flowers over the years so they would not be scattered to the wind and it had great sentimental value to us.
None of these were in the stack of salvaged items so I guess it was thought they had no worth.
My heart was broken and I honestly felt as if it was a personal attack.
I am actually shocked by how badly I felt and still feel.
Upon reflection upon the whole situation, I think I am most angry that this had to happen because funding has become so inadequate to maintain what is near and dear to us.
We can spend thousands of dollars to erect a fancy sign on the highway telling strangers to come to Summerland which I don’t think will help a bit.
We have travelled extensively and know from experience it would not entice us. We will, however, make a town our destination in order to visit the graves of loved ones who have passed.
I can just imagine how many people will return to our town, go to our cemetery remembering how it was when their loved ones were laid to rest just to feel the same sadness and disgust I now feel when I go there.
Linda D. Rodd
Summerland