The Fort Bayard Memorial Cemetery
Apr 15, 2022
Today we are going to end our discussion of the Fort Bayard Memorial Cemetery, so there are some important details that will have to be included in this discussion. So I will begin with a general overview of why. You see, everyone is important, I don’t care if they are buried in a beautifully ornate mausoleum, a lovely casket enclosed by a cement vault, a cardboard box, a vase filled with their ashes or their ashes scattered in the wind at a favorite place or overview. The burial is important and marks the reference of that deceased for generations to come. No ideas for the future, only memories.
The death and burial is much more than just the disposal of a body before it begins to deteriorate, it is several things and maybe more. One, it is respect for a life lived. Two, it is a statement that a mass of unique genetic combinations has passed but is carried on by those left behind. And third, it is a statement of family, not just the family represented at the gravesite, but also the family eternal, until the monument melts away and all reference is lost. Hopefully, you agree with me, that the gravesite is where today moves out of the way and memories come alive.
I say this because I expect that many of the people buried in our Memorial Cemetery are totally forgotten, or even totally lost from a caring family or friends. And, before thinking about it you may say, “If family doesn’t care, why should I care?” Although I agree that it’s tempting to think that way, that’s not you or I, there is more to the world than just (I). As a matter of fact, every person being born into this world is part of an extended family.
According to the Bible (Genesis 2:7), this is how humanity began: "The Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul." God then called the man Adam, and later created Eve from Adam's rib.
I sometimes refer to Terry Humble for information about our area of the S/W and here I do it again. This is a true story that opened my eyes as to the importance of the burial registry, even if it is a “Potter’s Field.”
The story as related to me by Terry Humble:
“I first became aware of the Fort Bayard Pauper Cemetery in 2004.I was contacted by email from Sarah Fiering Plas in California asking for information about her brother Peiter Fiering. She had been told that he was buried at Fort Bayard. There was no listing for Fiering in the veteran's section, so I searched the pauper section and did find a small marker for him. Mrs. Plas in California was notified.
In April 2006, Sarah Plas, her nephew from Holland and their respective spouses came out to Silver City. I met the Aunt and Nephew at the pauper’s cemetery and showed them the grave. It was very emotional and they were both crying most of the time. Mrs. Plas translated everything I said to the nephew.
Peiter Fiering was the brother to Mrs. Plas and the father to the man from Holland. They had been told many years previous that Peiter had died and only learned recently that he was actually alive and a resident of Fort Bayard Veteran's Hospital and passed away in 2000. Fort Bayard, under the impressionMonument to replace temporary monument. that Peiter had no living relatives, buried him in the Pauper’s Cemetery.
The sister and son mentioned that they would have a decent headstone put on the grave and the next time I visited the cemetery the headstone was in place.”
This story says a lot about why we should care about the Fort Bayard Memorial Cemetery, even if it is a Pauper’s Cemetery.
Not to say that it is forgotten and neglected. Over the years emotions have revved up and it has had basic care. In consortium with others, Scott Terry’s name, our previous chamber director, frequently comes up as a person who put feet to his emotions.
Current Cremation Area by Terrazas.
Temporary Markers after time.
Granted, it is not a jungle yet, but the disturbing issue is that monument names and locations are being lost. Many of the copper plates attached to the concrete markers are coming off and are gone forever. Many of the graves have only temporary markers which have deteriorated or will soon be lost like the others. And now that cremations are becoming common, a small portion of the cemetery is allocated to the burial of these and are marked with temporary markers which in time will also be lost. Would not a permanent marker be more respectful and honorable?
The temporary markers that I see in the cremation area are from Terrazas Funeral Home and, within the scope of their contract with the county, they have done a good job. But most of the people I have talked to about this issue, as well as Mr. Terrazas, agree that the people, lost from their families or not, deserve an enduring monument forever marking the location of their remains.
“And That’s My Opinion”
