Farmington cemetery is not doing well by loved ones
MY NAME IS Carlie Armenta. I am writing this (letter) with a very heavy heart. Here we are (at) Memorial Day weekend, a time to remember our loved ones who have gone before us, especially our fallen service members. Despite the current health crisis we are facing, families will be going and visiting their loved ones at cemeteries across the nation. Unfortunately for the families of loved ones buried at Memory Gardens here in Farmington, they maybe in for a heartbreaking discovery.
For years now the community has witnessed a continuous downward spiral in regard to the condition of the cemetery grounds. What used to be a beautiful place to go and be with family members and friends who have passed is no longer. Weeds instead of dirt, or just dirt. Dead or dying trees, bushes, shrubs. No water at all, or flooding. The list goes on and on.
In March I went to check on my best friend’s headstone. I, along with his daughters and others, had placed items in the ground surrounding his plaque — one of which being an American flag. When I arrived, everything had been removed, including the flag. My best friend, Kristopher Bunce, served our country in the Army. The flag, along with the other items, were removed by staff, and as I later found out, were thrown in a pile behind the Dumpster with decorations and things taken off of other graves as well. I was shocked at the amount of disrespect.
On May 16 a woman went out to find a sprinkler head busted and shooting water straight into the sky and flooding the grounds. Numerous grave sites and head stones were damaged and washed away. On Tuesday (May) 19 they were still watering that section and had not cleaned up any of the mess from days prior . ... I encourage you to please look at the Facebook page Memory Gardens Protesters. You can see pictures and videos of everything I have described above and more.
We as a community have tried to get help with regard to this situation for many years to no avail. I am praying that this (letter) will reach someone who can help. Please look at the photos and ask yourself, “What if this was my loved one’s final resting place?”
Thank you for taking the time to read this and may God bless.
CARLIE M. ARMENTA Bloomfield