TONY YOUNG

My wife jokes, “You are always hanging out with dead folks!” I suppose she is right. I do not find it morose to consider people I have come to know or would have loved to meet. The fact they are not physically present is not a barrier. It is a privilege for me to walk through a cemetery and learn from the tributes. From the looks of things today, that is not too uncommon. The family history television series, “Who Do You Think You Are?” has revealed a lot of interest in learning of our heritage.

Vero Beach is fortunate to have a beautiful place that preserves the memory of many of our pioneers. Monsieur Nugent had a saying, “There is a one to one correlation for each of us: everyone will pass on.” So it is. The question then becomes, “What of our time here?” Do we value the footprint we leave behind? Or do we simply leave it to the fickle nature of fate?

Luckily over the years, the citizens of Vero Beach have placed value in honoring those that have gone ahead. Crestlawn Cemetery was donated land to ensure we would have a place of reflection in perpetuity. And by the commitment of the City, that is the case. It is a welcoming refuge of spirit on Old Dixie Road south of the bridge club. Despite the summer heat, the fields are well groomed, the markers are kept in good fashion, and the landscape reflects the dignity it should. You will find people caring for their family plots. You will see loved ones placing flags on their veteran’s markers.

The history of Indian River County is important. Our roots are there. Go to Crestlawn. You will recognize names there that built our village by the sea. The Helseths are there. So are the Egans, Sextons, Luthers, Haffields, Schlitts and many more. Conn Beach? Yes you will find the Conn Family plot. You will see citrus names like the Graves and Hogans. You will find the merchants like the Loys. The lifeguards are there. You will see lawyers like Cooksey and Vocelle. These are men and women of stature. And you will find warriors. Slade and MacWilliam both earned the Distinguished Service Cross. Historical figures like the Hallstrom and Zeuch Families are buried there. This parcel of land is an dynamic archive. You will come across names you knew or heard of like Damerow or Barber. These dates, names, and insights all give witness. Monsieur Nugent is there. He came as a young priest from Ireland, gave his spirit to our town and remained with his people. It testifies to the significance of this acreage.

I am a native son, third generation. And as a soldier, I served in three conflicts over thirty years. In combat, death is a possibility for all veterans. Soldier and citizen alike, bear responsibility to protect the values we hold dear. Crestlawn Cemetery is a sanctuary of spirit. Like Memorial Island it should be part of Vero Beach’s charter. If ever it is considered to be merely “a liability” then it should be the decision of the people not just a simple majority of the City Council. It would be rude to learn one day that it was found to be a disposable asset. Placing it in the City Charter affords the hallowed ground the stature and protection it deserves.

Crestlawn Cemetery is important to many because our parents and grandparents are there. It also has the footprint of those that have shaped our lives. Hopefully, it will be there for our grandchildren. When the bugle sounds taps for me, my family should still find the solace we enjoy today. It is part of the character of Vero Beach that draws others to call it home.

Anthony W. Young

Colonel US Army (Retired)