LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Letter to the Editor
A month ago, portions of the southern part of McDonough County suffered extensive tornado and storm damage. One of the places affected was the Archer-Bethel Cemetery a mile south of Fandon. Fourteen monuments of varying sizes were toppled or strewn about the grounds.
Thanks to the efforts of several volunteers — Diane Haines, Melissa Herron, Sandi Andrew, Beth Crabb, Lynn and Leon Bainter, Richard Lacey, John Rexroat, Curt Rigg, and Jim and Teresa Frisbie — the grounds have been cleared and all but one of the smaller monuments reset.
However, because of the fog of information in the immediate aftermath of the storm, a few details need clarification. Harrison Monuments was NOT at the cemetery the next day repairing damaged monuments. They were there installing new bases and monuments on three separate sites well away from the damage. Harrison Monuments was NOT quoting $11,000 as the price to reset stones.
In fact, in a phone conversation with a Harrison representative the next day, there would charge for completely replacing foundations (digging up old concrete and re-pouring new) and resetting the stones, but nowhere near the amount rumored. Furthermore, if the monument bases were level, the cost to reset toppled stones would be minimal. Unfortunately, they would not be able to schedule us in until the fall.
We're happy to say that volunteers reset nine of the smaller monuments with the help of a rented track skid-steer. As for the three very large, very old monuments toppled in three pieces each, Lackey Monuments personnel graciously donated their equipment and expertise to reset them safely.
Several people have made significant donations to help restore the grounds, and for that we are grateful. We also thank Michael Inman of Plymouth for working around obstacles, debris, and rough terrain in order to keep the grounds mowed, especially for the upcoming Memorial Day weekend.
A reminder, check your homeowner's insurance policy. Many of them will cover cemetery monuments damage.
Craig Rigg Archer Bethel Cemetery Trustee
