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Ron Miller
1072 e. Chicago Blvd #1 Tecumseh 49286
Hero Story
When mom and I picked up a copy of family tree maker, about 25 years ago, we never anticipated it would become such a huge part of my dad's life. Mom has passed since then but my dad has made it not only a hobby but his life's work. He's traveled far and wide, even to Germany doing genealogical research. Visiting people, old records in towns and most importantly, cemeteries. Maybe 15 years ago, he decided to clean up headstones in a cemetery he frequented, and from that, repairing broken ones as well. Indeed heroic.
Mid-July, my 78 year old father drove home to Tecumseh after a visit with me in Mancelona. He was devastated to find a local cemetery (Ridgeway) had been horribly vandalized. He immediately began chronicling. It's been an incredible story, that needs to be told! I wish I could include screenshots of his posts.
Days after the initial vandalism occurred, the suspects returned to the scene of the crime and were caught red handed. Lenawee County arrived to address the matter. All minors. After that, dad received a heartfelt letter that read as follows:
As I am writing these. I hope people understand the power of forgiveness. There were five kids that did this. Three of them has taken ownership of what they did and will be working and grounded for the summer but I want you to know and understand. As I was one of the most disgusted and upset, people regarding this. God also showed me why they didn't understand the importance of the grave site. My three kids are foster kids well let me say were foster kids that means that three different families have failed them. three different sets of grandparents and never got them out of foster care. No aunts and uncles pick them up. Just a Stranger, which is me and my husband that has join them on this broken Road. they came from three different homes. They're not biological siblings. They are siblings bye love ). They don't have families that are buried anywhere. They don't even know who their grandparents are let alone the great grandparent. they DID not understand the hurt that this would cause others. I hope you give them love and compassion as the work off the debt. As a foster home they whole family is affected by this. I have to take time out of work as they work this off, which is a double whammy for household. But I will stand beside the kids that I foster and an adapted to show them love and compassion, and I hope you will walk with me and this journey also.
This is a note from their mom.
Days later, these kids joined up with my dad and have been repairing and uprighting their extensive damage, and cleaning up the cemetery. Many many posts/updates/photos since, even yesterday he shared photos of cleaned stones. Even the younger siblings joined in some days. What a lesson. What patience and empathy. Teacher, guide, hero!
Ron Miller
1072 e. Chicago Blvd #1 Tecumseh 49286
Hero Story
When mom and I picked up a copy of family tree maker, about 25 years ago, we never anticipated it would become such a huge part of my dad's life. Mom has passed since then but my dad has made it not only a hobby but his life's work. He's traveled far and wide, even to Germany doing genealogical research. Visiting people, old records in towns and most importantly, cemeteries. Maybe 15 years ago, he decided to clean up headstones in a cemetery he frequented, and from that, repairing broken ones as well. Indeed heroic.
Mid-July, my 78 year old father drove home to Tecumseh after a visit with me in Mancelona. He was devastated to find a local cemetery (Ridgeway) had been horribly vandalized. He immediately began chronicling. It's been an incredible story, that needs to be told! I wish I could include screenshots of his posts.
Days after the initial vandalism occurred, the suspects returned to the scene of the crime and were caught red handed. Lenawee County arrived to address the matter. All minors. After that, dad received a heartfelt letter that read as follows:
As I am writing these. I hope people understand the power of forgiveness. There were five kids that did this. Three of them has taken ownership of what they did and will be working and grounded for the summer but I want you to know and understand. As I was one of the most disgusted and upset, people regarding this. God also showed me why they didn't understand the importance of the grave site. My three kids are foster kids well let me say were foster kids that means that three different families have failed them. three different sets of grandparents and never got them out of foster care. No aunts and uncles pick them up. Just a Stranger, which is me and my husband that has join them on this broken Road. they came from three different homes. They're not biological siblings. They are siblings bye love ). They don't have families that are buried anywhere. They don't even know who their grandparents are let alone the great grandparent. they DID not understand the hurt that this would cause others. I hope you give them love and compassion as the work off the debt. As a foster home they whole family is affected by this. I have to take time out of work as they work this off, which is a double whammy for household. But I will stand beside the kids that I foster and an adapted to show them love and compassion, and I hope you will walk with me and this journey also.
This is a note from their mom.
Days later, these kids joined up with my dad and have been repairing and uprighting their extensive damage, and cleaning up the cemetery. Many many posts/updates/photos since, even yesterday he shared photos of cleaned stones. Even the younger siblings joined in some days. What a lesson. What patience and empathy. Teacher, guide, hero!