The state of disrepair and disregard for old cemeteries is and has been appalling. I hear of these decaying and vandalized cemeteries all the time. Let us face the facts, it is up to the local citizens to determine the legacy of the past. In many, if not all cases, the local citizens have no relatives in these cemeteries, and if they do they care not. In many communities the old families have died out after their children went to the big city to make their fortunes. The majority of the citizens of most rural areas are foreign to the area or they are from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, here in the deep south read that as real "red necks" etc. These are the same people who deposit their trash on any side road where they cannot be seen by the authorities, who deposit their beer cans and McDonalds litter on any roadside. Those whose children find great pleasure in destroying and looting remote cemeteries. Down here, a few months ago, a grown woman was found looting a local grave yard of objet d'art etc. About the only way to protect a cemetery, nowadays, is to place an electrified fence around the property, along with armed guards. Well, I've vented my anger. Remember it is up to the local population to protect its history. Only a strong law, with exceptional enforcement and prosecution and punishment, will help to end the rape of this part of our heritage. Ron Hughes