Headstones of famous people can be found in cemeteries around the world, and many of them contain epitaphs and inscriptions written either by or about the deceased. These epitaphs, far from being simply morbid, often make interesting reading.
Take, for example, the memorial stone for William Shakespeare, which reads: “Good friend, for Jesus’ sake forbear, To dig the dust enclosed here, Blessed be the man that spares these stones, And cursed be he that moves my bones”.
The reasoning behind this inscription is that he lived in morbid fear of his body being dug up after he had been buried. Fortunately, his grave, which is in the English town of Stratford has remained, as he desired, untouched.
John Keats’s headstone, which is in Rome, is engraved with the design of a lyre with broken strings, which was added by Keats’s friends Joseph Severn and Charles Brown, and contains no mention of his name. He wanted it to read only: “Here lies one whose name was writ in water”.
Severn and Brown later added: “This grave contains all that was mortal of a young English poet who on his death bed in the bitterness of his heart at the malicious power of his enemies desired these words to be engraven on his tomb stone”.
The site of Robin Hood’s headstone is at a priory in Kirklees in England has been visited by thousands upon thousands of people over the years. The problem is it is the wrong place!
The original grave slab disappeared some time after 1665. A replica was made, but this was chipped to pieces by 18th-century canal workers who thought a little bit of Robin Hood’s gravestone would cure toothache.
With some research, you will no doubt find that there are at least a few headstones in cemeteries near you that belong to famous people from yesteryear. Though it might not make a great hobby as such, spending a day visiting some of these makes for an interesting and cheap day out.
Alternatively, you can just use Google images, where you will find plenty of images of famous headstones. Finding out what your deceased heroes decided to leave as their farewell message can really add something to way that you think about them.
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To celebrate the launch of their new website, Granite Memorials are running a competition to find the most interesting and witty inscription on a famous personality’s headstone. Send your photos, explaining where and when you took them and why you feel it should rank in the Headstones Hall of Fame, for more info please visit http://www.granite-memorials.co.uk
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The oldest Philippine World War II veteran in Region 8 was given citation and award.
Isabel Figueroa, a World War II veteran presently residing in Barangay Calanipawan, Leyte, Philippines, was all smiles when he received his award and a plaque of appreciation during the commemorative program in celebration of the 65th Leyte Gulf Landing Anniversary as the oldest living war veteran in region 8 in the recently held Search for the Oldest Living World War II Veteran in Eastern Visayas.
Figueroa who served as a recognized guerilla of the 97th Infantry Division during the World War II with a rank of corporal, rendered service in his unit in the army for three years and three months. He was exactly 95 years old and two months when he received his citation today during the commemorative program.
Landing as 9th runner-up in the search for the oldest living war veteran was Marcelino Negro, 91 years old and eight months to be exact and presently staying at Esperas Avenue here in this city. He served as Scout Army of the United States Army in the Far East (USAFE).
On the other hand, Catalino Vivero, exactly 91 years and 10 months old when he received his award today was the 8th runner-up. He was a recognized guerilla of the Philippine Scout Army during the World War II and he is a resident of Brgy. Capangihan, Tolosa, Leyte.
Ninety-two year-old Teofisto Dimapiles and a local of Brgy. Sta. Cruz in Palo, Leyte was 7th runner-up while Pedro Echañez, 92 years and four months old of Bry. Serum, Basey in Samar was 6th runner-up and Calixto Real, 93 years old, now residing in Brgy. Bagacay, this city, who also served as a recognized guerilla of the 42nd Infantry Batallion of the army during the World War II was 5th runner-up.
Declared as 4th runner-up was Felicisimo Gonzaga, 93 years and two months old from Palo, Leyte. He was a recognized guerilla of the 42nd Infantry Batallion during the World War II.
Third runner-up was Jesus Mahay, 93 years and nine months old from Basey, Samar. Second-runner-up was Porferio Saño, 94 years and one month old from Dulag, Leyte. He functioned as a recognized guerilla during the World War II.
Francisco Diaz was first runner-up. He was 94 years and five months old when he received his award today. Presently he is residing in this city.
Based on the data gathered by the Committee on the Regional Search for the Oldest living World War II veteran in region 8, out of the 10 veterans who were recognized and received awards and recognition, eight of them either served as corporal, private first class and technical sergeants in the army during the war serving their units from two to four years.
According to one of the chaperons of an old World War II veteran in region 8 who requested not to be named, the courage and valor of the veterans who fought during the war is a clear manifestation of a true love of country.
He added that the Filipino people have all the reasons to be thankful to the war veterans who are now in their twilight years of life for the independence they continue to experience until now.
This year’s theme of the 65th Leyte Gulf Landings Anniversary celebration is “A Salute to the Valor of our Last Living Heroes”.
This article is distributed by www.Cebu-Philippines.net. An up-to-date guide to Cebu Province Philippines and the Philippines. Providing current and relevant information about visa, airlines, hotels, resorts, Philippine resorts, scuba diving, travel, health and wellness.
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