Mr. Phillips in his book, Bristol,Tn./Va. descibes a wonderful thing that the townspeople did in older days, and it would be so terrific to see it done today so our cemeteries would stay in good condition. Mr. Phillips writes that for many years it was the custom of the townsfolk to gather at the cemetery on a Saturday in May to clean off the grounds and make ready for a memorial service. There was a great turnout of citizens, rich,poor,young,and old who would for long hours cut brush,grass,straighten stones, and repair fence lots. They would plant flowers and roses, and pull weeds. Some of the local business men worked at the task as well and hired help by offering to people who helped a chance to pay off debts in this way. It was an all day affair where picnic lunches were brought and eaten under shade trees and the people visited with one another. For years it was custom to hold a memorial service for the town's dead. A crowd would assemble at the First Baptist Church, and laden with wreaths and bouquets they would march up the hill to the cemetery and assemble under the giant cherry tree near the King lot and hear the sermons by the town's clergy or a eloquent speech by a local orator which was usually a lawyer, and a bit of poetry reading. Lovely idea to me and I can just picture this in my mind of something so nice that happened so long ago.