Got a Weird one- Bronze Cemetery Grave Marker- New in the Box

**sledge** · 10-07-2013, 04:46 PM

Ok folks, I have a really weird one for you. I am doing a big clean out and I stumble upon a bronze cemetery grave marker- But here is the odd part- it is brand new- in the box.
It came into the Duplex Property Owner's possession because it was left in an apartment after someone moved out- dated 1992, it has sat in its box for over 20 years.

He said "You can have it if you want it" But I'm not sure whether to take it or not.
It seems wrong to me in some very odd way. Apparently the family members who it was sent too- cared nothing about it, but this is just a really odd situation.

Any ideas? Tips? Advice?

**andrew1990** · 10-07-2013, 05:13 PM

Not sure about the legal aspects, but if my job required me to scrap/dispose of something that may have meant something to someone at sometime, then so be it. After the banks foreclosed on my families house years ago, I realized you got to look after your own first, everyone else second.

**jimicrk** · 10-07-2013, 05:13 PM

I would be afraid to scrap it. Does the box have a name on it, maybe the company that made it?

**hobo finds** · 10-07-2013, 05:21 PM

Brand new in the box you should be able to scrap it. But I think brand new in a box may be alot more on FeeBay!

**JohnC4X4** · 10-07-2013, 05:55 PM

Originally Posted by hobo finds

But I think brand new in a box may be alot more on FeeBay!

Bronze Cemetery Grave Marker | eBay

**parrothead** · 10-07-2013, 06:37 PM

Don't be afraid to sell it. They did not care and left it behind. Definite E-bay item. A picture would help.

**AuburnEwaste** · 10-07-2013, 06:38 PM

If you are going to scrap it, I would get a letter from the property owner stating that it now belongs to you. You may not have a problem, but if you do you will have proof it is yours.

**Bear** · 10-07-2013, 06:41 PM

may be a possibility the one who left it was not it's rightful owner in the first place, possibly a quick call to the company who made it would help to clarify that. Either way, I'd guess it's long since been replaced. You might also possibly contact the local newspaper and ask if they could check the obits for that name and date. Might find there was a mistake in the engraving or something, who knows. For those who have no consience it wouldn't matter, just depends what yours is worth ; )

**Mechanic688** · 10-07-2013, 07:13 PM

I'm just guessing that the company sent it to them but maybe the family had a nice stone put on.

**hobo finds** · 10-07-2013, 07:43 PM

"For those who have no consience it wouldn't matter, just depends what yours is worth ; ) "

It's not like he pulled it from a cemetery! Once I saw a box of cremated remains at the swap meet for $2.00!

**Bear** · 10-07-2013, 08:53 PM

Originally Posted by hobo finds

It's not like he pulled it from a cemetery!

I never said he did hobo. He asked for ideas, I merely gave him mine. A simple phone call isn't that much to make, is it?

**Gravitar** · 10-07-2013, 09:04 PM

Put it in your front yard on Halloween or just leave it there year round. Give the neighbors a good scare.

**sledge** · 10-08-2013, 04:28 AM

Ok.. To answer some questions:
1. Well that is my ethical dilemma. Seems too nice and sacred to scrap
2. Not sure if anyone on Ebay would really want an engraved marker of someone they don't know
3. This was sent to a mortuary from the Department of Veterans Affairs

Attaching some pics here for you guys.

**Copper Head** · 12-10-2013, 03:55 PM

Originally Posted by sledge42

Ok.. To answer some questions:
1. Well that is my ethical dilemma. Seems too nice and sacred to scrap
2. Not sure if anyone on Ebay would really want an engraved marker of someone they don't know
3. This was sent to a mortuary from the Department of Veterans Affairs

Attaching some pics here for you guys.

No you CAN NOT scrap it , if it was blank sure, but for G-D sakes its a military guy . the value for brass is no real big loss ,if its five pounds you can take a loss ,
I am sure some one in the Marines can figure his burial area. If not they could look him up and possibly find a proper place to put the marker. I would NEVER scrap it
if no body wanted it I would just keep it in my shop out of respect for the man and all those that fought during WW2

My father was born 1919 and was in Europe during the war , Four years living in tents, he told me you never really felt healthy.
He had gone all through Europe and into Germany and first hand saw the ovens in Auschwitz in Poland
Now if there was a plaque for my father that got lost in the shuffle . I say what good luck to the fellow to handle it proper.
-------------------
We are scrappers But as professionals we also need to realize our responsibility as we are given so much for free
occasionally we have to payfoward

==================
I see now it's a old post WELL fine this is SMF memorial to the sarge

**KzScrapper** · 10-08-2013, 04:34 AM

Thanks for the pic Sledge and to S Sgt Simmons for his service.

**Immulmen** · 10-08-2013, 05:40 AM

I would try to find the family. It may have been left behind by one family member but another may be thrilled to have it. AND he was a WW2 vet.
Chris
Philip H Simmons - Mooresville, Indiana. SSN: xxxxxxxxx - Death Records

"Philip H Simmons was born on January 23, 1924 and died on June 16, 1992 at the age of 68 and the social security number (SSN): xxx-xx-xxxx. Philip last resided in Mooresville, Indiana in Morgan County."

**BroJer** · 10-08-2013, 05:34 AM

Could checkout this info out and see if the cemetery records match what you have. If they do, it looks like his wife may still be alive. Would be a real honor to place this where it belongs! IMHO

**Jonniebrass** · 10-08-2013, 06:00 AM

I would think the Veterans affairs will tell you how to return it to the family or cemetery. Sometimes people don't have the money for a stone or marker that the plaque would attache to. The yard here would not take it. Cemetery markers are #1 on the do not buy list.

**Bear** · 10-08-2013, 09:37 AM

That's awesome Sledge. He was 7 years old when the Great Depression began. He grew up during the depression and the Dust Bowl. He turned 18 in Jan 42 (barely 6 weeks after Pearl Harbor, and USA entering the war). Can you imagine facing something so serious(even more serious than the Depression And the Dust Bowl) at 18, prime age for enlistment? He likely spent age 18-22 in the service. Damm, that must have been a hell of a time for him, and he went straight to marines, musta been a hell of a man. They didn't become known as "The Greatest Generation" for nothing my friend.

**sledge** · 10-08-2013, 09:54 AM

Found his burial Info:

Web: BillionGraves.com Burial Index about Philip H. Simmons
Name: Philip H. Simmons
Birth Date: 1924
Age at Death: 68
Death Date: 1992
Cemetery: Silon Cemetery
Burial Place: Camby, Morgan, Indiana, United States

Got a Weird one- Bronze Cemetery Grave Marker- New in the Box

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