Daughter Of War Vet Upset With Condition Of Cemetery
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GRAND PRAIRIE (CBSDFW.COM) - Overgrown and ignored. The family of a Korean War veteran say the cemetery where their father is buried appears abandoned. Crumbling bricks great visitors.
"You served your country, you deserve more than this. All this individual deserve more than this," says Patricia Roland who couldn't find her father Sam Jones' plot at first.
The Korean War veteran's headstone, like many others at this Grand Prairie cemetery, was almost swallowed up by vegetation.
"Disrespect. It's just a lack of dignity and pride," says Roland.
From uneven ground and holes, to cracked flag poles and even discarded headstones just sitting in a pile, this is the final resting place for hundreds including many veterans.
"They don't have a voice. so someone has to speak up."
Records show the state ordered the owners of American Memorial Park Cemetery to stop burials in 2012. Inspectors found several "record keeping" violations where it was unclear where some were buried and some who were buried in the cemetery shared the same plot number - meaning it's possible some where buried in the same plot.
"It's a slap in the face," says Roland.
The state told us even with the "cease and desist" order - the owners are still required to maintain the cemetery. The owner told us there's someone constantly maintaining the property.
"I don't think he's been out here. He must be talking about a different cemetery," says Roland. "Would you put your father out here; or your grandmother; Or loved ones out here? Would this be there final resting place? The last place you leave them is here?"
The city of Grand Prairie tells CBS11 based upon its inspection there are no violations and the property is up to code.
DFW National Cemetery wasn't open yet when the family purchased burial plots which is why Sam Jones is buried at this cemetery.
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