ALWAYS WALK LIGHTLY UPON CEMETERY GROUNDS
SHOWING RESPECT FOR THOSE RESTING HERE
MARSHTOWN CEMETERY
EARTHCACHE REQUIREMENTS
Each cacher must send his/her own answers BEFORE logging a find. ... "Geocachers must complete the tasks before they log the EarthCache as found." (4.3. EarthCache logging tasks)
Enjoy the journey (learning adventure) as well as the destination (smiley earned). Remember to take only pictures and leave only footprints. To get credit for this Earthcache, complete the following tasks:
1. MESSAGE …. View the fieldstone at the posted coordinates. Describe the flaking at the front, back, sides.
2. MESSAGE …. View the fieldstone behind the one at the posted coordinates. Describe the flaking at the front, back, sides.
3. MESSAGE …. View the fieldstone somewhere off to the right of the one at the posted coordinates. Describe the flaking at the front, back, sides.
4. MESSAGE …. a. Compare the flaking evident on the three stones above. / b. Basd on your observations, which stone is experiencing the greatest weathering via flaking? / HINT - Observe where the stones are located - in the open, under a tree, etc.
5. LOG …. Post a picture of you or your signature item at the entrance to the cemetery. This picture is your log signature.
OPTIONAL - Please respect the time and effort involved in finding and creating this earthcache by adding A B C to your log.
A. Visit a memorial honoring our fallen heroes. Post a picture at the memorial. Label picture with name and location of memorial.
B. JOURNEY OF THE MIND ... Science explains what we observe. Relate (in your own words) something you found interesting in the reading. This adds to your learning adventure and your log.
C. JOURNEY OF THE HEART ... Art shares our personal experience of what we see. Share something special you found on site, and why it is special to you ... prose / story / poem / picture. This is a memorable addition to your log and will make other hearts smile.
Journeys of Heart and Mind ...
Stories to Touch the Heart and Puzzles to Challenge the Mind / Rainbow Tree Story
THANK YOU Delores for permission to share this learning adventure.
FIELDSTONE
The stones are gathered from open fields. No mining or quarries are necessary. These were used in historic cemeteries. At this earthcache site, you will be observing three fieldstones in the small historic cemetery.
FLAKING (aka SPALLING)
This is an indicator of sub-florescence, caused when mineral salts are carried into the stone by moisture and accumulate beneath the stone’s surface. This creates stress within the pores of the stone and is particulary damaging in areas that experience freeze-thaw cycles. The moisture and salts will freeze and expand, building up even more pressure within the stone.
Salts can come from many sources. They may be inherent in the stone itself, come from polluted rain water, and/or the soil beneath the stone.
RESOURCES ... Fieldstone ... Gravestones ... Historic Cemeteries ... Flaking ... Types of Headstones
This series is dedicated to my dad who served in World War II.
GOD’S PROMISE …. A MOTHER’S LOVE
Told by my uncle (Joseph) ... And my father (Anthony)
Family was seated around the table on Thanksgiving Day when my uncle related why he and his brother returned home safely from the war.
Unbeknownst to my uncle aboard the carrier transporting him across the Atlantic, his ship was targeted by an underwater submarine. There were flashes in the distance that he later learned was the submarine being destroyed.
While stationed in Europe, his base was targeted by enemy fire. He awoke to the sound of the thundering of bombs exploding and saw the dark sky turn bright as the noonday sun. Men were scrambling for safety, but he remained seated with a peace that passeth all understanding. When the carnage was over, he looked down. There was a piece of shrapnel lodged just above his heart, but had not penetrated through his clothing.
Similarly, unbeknownst to my father aboard the carrier transporting him across the Pacific, his ship was targeted by an underwater submarine. There were flashes in the distance that he later learned was the submarine being destroyed.
My father loved to be amongst nature whenever and wherever. One day he was comfortably seated below a tree in the jungles of Australia. He laid his helmet beside him and was enjoying the peace of the moment. When it was time to leave, he reached for his helmet but was guided to look within before placing it upon his head. There sat a poisonous spider which would have surely been his demise. He dislodged the spider and returned to camp.
One day while on her knees communing with the Creator, my grandmother prayed for her sons to return home safely. She arose from prayer knowing God’s hand was upon her sons and they would return unharmed.
And so it was, many close encounters, but my uncle and my father each made it safely home. It was there the two brothers learned of God’s Promise and their Mother’s Love.