DESECRATION AT MOUNT MORA CEMETERY

News broke today about the destruction of over 300 tombstones and monuments at Mount Mora Cemetery, one of the few historic cemeteries in the country listed on the National Register of Historic Places.  This action by a few individuals (teenagers are the reported suspects) is purely disheartening.  Driving through the hilly resting places of so many of Saint Joseph's prominent citizens is sickening.  Nothing seems to be sacred anymore.  The cemetery does have some insurance, but will it be enough to repair and/or replace what has been destroyed?  New measures must now be taken for security.  We are currently working to assist the cemetery association in any way we can.  Updates of efforts as well as how you can help will be posted as soon as possible.  Below are photos taken this afternoon.

pjk  10/18/2006

November 1, 2006 update:

The vandals, 6 teenagers, were caught.  Two boys, age 17, are being held as adults and are in jail and the remaining four boys, age 13-16, are in juvenile detention.  Each tombstone represents a separate felony.  The two 17 year olds face up to 7 years in prison.  We certainly hope that these kids will have to do more than just sit in jail; we hope they will have to help in some way repair the damage they've done and they should have to do some sort of research and write a lengthy paper on the people whose final resting place they have damaged.  The Mt. Mora cemetery association is currently determining what needs to be done.  They have received various bids on the repair, resetting, and replacement of the stones.  Heritage Action has offered our support and assistance in their efforts to raise money and promote the need for further protection.  pk