Pine Crest Cemetery in Atlanta is located on the town's highest elevation. It is an historic Texas cemetery as designated by the Texas Historical Commission in 2001.
It is also a site of honor for those who have given their lives in military conflicts.
One of the more peaceful scenes at the cemetery is its Memorial Gardens. This fenced and cultivated site contains a memorial granite stone for World War II veterans who gave their lives.
This monument once stood near the door of the town's older high school building. It was first placed there in 1946 on Allday and North Louise streets, where the police department is now.
Students passed by it many times each school day. As the school moved, so did the granite monument. It is now in the Memorial Gardens of Pine Crest Cemetery. The Atlanta Garden Club sponsored the monument, which lists 22 names, saying "Atlanta honors her heroes of this school who served in World War II."
Atlanta and Cass County give major attention to veterans as do many towns and counties. While the cemetery is at the highest and central part of town, veterans are also commended at Veterans' Plaza in the center of the business district with its large murals, lighted flag and monument for each major branch of service.
The town also has highly functioning veterans' organizations which work to keep military personnel in the minds of the public. One example is the U.S. flags which fly 52 weeks of the year over each corner, street and street light in town.
Americans observe Memorial Day the last Monday of May to remember the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. Military. People visit cemeteries and memorial sites to place flowers.
Memorial Day was first known as Decoration Day on May 30, 1868. Two other days of the year also celebrate those in the military -- these are Armed Forces Day also in May and Veterans Day on Nov. 11.
The historical words on the plaque at Pine Crest Cemetery are, abbreviated:
"First two acres of this site were deeded by Preston Rose Scott in 1887. The earliest grave is that of Ester Pitts, dated Aug. 7, 1887.
"The oldest grave in a segregated area once -- but no longer -- separated by a fence is that of R.A. Williams 1880.
"A four-acre gift by the H.G. Goree estate in 1934 encouraged the growth of the cemetery. Citizens love to continue honoring veterans and loved ones."
The site of the Memorial Gardens in 2004 included the gift of fencing, statuary and cultivation "in loving memory" of Herschel N. Hanner and Russell Alexander by the Hanner Funeral Service.
Two benches in the garden were given in memory of Mr. and Mrs. Guy Hughes Sr., and Miss Julie Hughes by the Guy Hughes Jr., family, and another in memory of Mildred and Joe D. Nichols Sr., M.D. and Marie and Edwin Oden.
The names of the 22 honored World War II veterans of Atlanta High School are:
Edward Aken
Gene Alford
Rupert Allsup
George Blaylock
Rob Cameron
Paul Clements
James Draper
J.C. Draper
Haywood Glass
Ennis Heath
Jimmie Harpst
Guy Law
Tom Ramsey
Franklin Rutland
Arnold Shearin Jr.
Doyle Spiva
Robert Stanley
Benson Steed
T.C. Thomas
Weyland Thomas
Joe Williams
Ruell Jackson
Hanner Funeral Service has provided Pine Crest Gardens as a place of honor in Pine Crest Cemetery. (photo by Neil Abeles)
The historical marker shows that Pine Crest Cemetery is an Historic Texas Cemetery as designated in 2001. (photo by Neil Abeles)
Pine Crest Memorial Gardens at Atlanta’s Pine Crest Cemetery provides a peaceful and scenic setting. (photo by Neil Abeles)
The Atlanta Garden Club in 1946 sponsored this memorial for alumni of Atlanta High School who gave their lives in World War II 1941-45. (photo by Neil Abeles)