In a message dated 4/5/02 10:39:05 PM US Eastern Standard Time, rgreen@nlci.com writes: > Jack, > > I'll bet that there have been plenty of studies conducted on stone > materials similar to those used in cemeteries. Thermal shock is routinely > used in virtually all material testing. No, they didn't make tombstone > sized samples, stand them up in a field full of wild flowers and set fire > to the place once a year as a test; however, I'd be willing to bet that > there has been a great deal of lab testing that involved repetitive heating > and cooling at extreme temperatures. Rich, I agree with you, no test of Tombstone Sample have been set in a field and burned.! But was there ever any real concern about whether there was any long term damage or not. The burning have been quietly ongoing with no one voicing their shock. Well, I have. If no one brings the issue up, we will never know if we are saving some Tombstones, and allowing others to be destroyed. Bring on the Tests, I welcome them. But let's not compare the Old Apples and Oranges tests. Let's be sure they cover whatever pertains to the cemetery fires. They must simulate at least roughly the same conditions. Let's settle this one way or the other. What do we do if we discover this has caused long term future damage. I hate these type of discussions, but if it's wrong they are worth the effort. Jack E. Briles, Sr. Floyd County PCRP Coordinator PO Box 444 New Albany, In. 47151-0444 (812) 282-6585 E-mail jb502000@aol.com