Hero Worship in Houston

Monday, December 8, 2002 Posted: 10:23 PM EDT (0223 GMT)

Houston, TX (AP) – Every July 3rd, revelers return to Jim Morrison’s grave in Pere Lachaise cemetery in Paris to celebrate his life.  Roses, for years, have appeared on Marilyn Monroe’s grave.  And in Houston, a new tribute begins.

The Comet died on December 7, 1970 and was buried in a small cemetery, north of Houston.  He was given a “heroes” farewell at the time, but now only his family comes to the cemetery to visit.  This year, as in 2 years previous, a small flag has been planted at his grave.  The flag is that of his World War II unit insignia.  Thus far, nobody has seen the visitor.  But, some time between 12 AM December 7th and 12 AM December 8th, a mysterious visitor placed the single flag.

“The first year I saw it (the flag), I was cleaning that section of the cemetery,” Ken Williams, the caretaker said.  “It was 3 days after or there, on his grave was this flag.  I welled up.  Then I realized that nobody had signed in for a day or three, and nobody had been out this way.  I’m in the cemetery every day and would have known.  But there, was the flag.”

Simon Ralley, and his wife Margaret, grandson of the Comet, has seen the flag as well.  “Last year, when we went to the cemetery, we found a flag there,” Mr. Ralley said.  “We had gotten to the cemetery at 8 AM and nobody was around.  We were the only car in there and the gate opens at 8 AM.  We have no clue who left the flag.”

This year, it was much the same.  Nobody signed in, nobody entered through the main gate and nobody saw anyone near his grave.  But, at 2 PM, the small flag was found by his gravestone.

This is a fitting tribute to a man who fought so hard for his city, his country and all people.  A simple remembrance of what one man gave up for so many.

Copyright 2002 The Associate Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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