Hail Mary, full of grace. The Lord is with thee.
Blessed art thou amongst women,
and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.
Holy Mary, Mother of God,
pray for us sinners,
now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
Blessed art thou amongst women,
and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.
Holy Mary, Mother of God,
pray for us sinners,
now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
Doesn't anyone maintain that stone?
ReplyDeleteit didnt appear so, max. Patty doesnt know much about graveyard etiquette, but Mrs Matt noticed it right away. Next time.
ReplyDeleteI think the blazing sun and lawn maintenance machines take their toll on all of the markers. The Tates though are in the nicest part of the nicest section of the cemetery.
ReplyDeleteMatt,
ReplyDeleteI just wish that Colonel Paul Tate's ashes were there.
About time his younger daughter did the decent thing methinks.
A very big thanks to you, Patty and Deb for sharing this year's adventure and photos with us. This is simply the best 'Manson Family' site on the web, bar none.
What is so special is that you go out of your way to enlist documentary and film directors, journalists and others with a close connection to The Family.
Best of everything to all of you.
Thank you for the kind words, Equinox. Meeting and getting to know these people has been very rewarding as well. We haven't met one we didn't like.
ReplyDeleteSeeing the actual sites really helps with perspective. The sheer isolation of Barker Ranch, the relationship between Spahn, Topanga Canyon, The Snake Pit and so on.
Great fun, and a fantastic way to learn about this odd, but fascinating hobby of ours.
I used to work in a cemetery, although not one in the US. Restoration work on monuments/markers is typically paid for and organised by the family, but has to be run through the cemetery bureaucracy first for approval. The cemetery usually only contacts a family about a monument/marker if it’s had 'illegal' ornaments added to it, has been belatedly recognised as falling outside guidelines, or has fallen into such disrepair that it’s a hazard. So if things are the same in the US, it is the Tates' (or whoever holds the grant) responsibility to maintain the marker. Restorations are not too expensive so hopefully they will commission one in the near future. It doesn't look like it has been worked on since Patricia Tate's inscription was added in 2000.
ReplyDeleteAnyway. This post was very understated, touching, and sobering. Apologies for bringing a businesslike tone to it. It always brings me up short when I remember people actually died from this.
Vermouth Brilliantine said...
ReplyDeleteunderstated, touching, and sobering.
-----
Thank you, Vermouth. I couldn't have said it any better. This post made me cry...
Who would have thought that Manson historians were huggers? Its true. Nothing sinister any more, just regret for ruined and lost lives. Thank you, Los Angeles, for your hospitality.
ReplyDeleteDitto on all the above comments. It looks like a peaceful place. Thanks for sharing , Matt etc. :)
ReplyDeletePatty, Matt and Deb,
ReplyDeleteThere is something I have been wondering about in relation to your previous organised trips to the sites in the California desert. Did your mobile phones work out there?
I ask because it makes me shudder to think that you could be left without communications in such a remote, potentially dangerous location.
Mmmhhmm.... If its true what Debra Tate has to say about the importance to keep the Memmories of her Sister Sharon alive,....and she is the only one left of the Tates to do so.... So then Debra, there is a thing to do... and you can start right now !!! Take care of your beloved ones...at least 1 day every month
ReplyDeleteMmmhhmm.... If its true what Debra Tate has to say about the importance to keep the Memmories of her Sister Sharon alive,....and she is the only one left of the Tates to do so.... So then Debra, there is a thing to do... and you can start right now !!! Take care of your beloved ones...at least 1 day every month
ReplyDeleteEquinox, Patty honestly believes she is safer in the most remote places in CA than in the most populated. Outdoors people are generally good to one another, and they come prepared for any possibility (Food and water, winch, jack, spare tire or two). They also make trip plans and forward them to trusted friends and relatives. Its all good. There is no bad weather, only bad gear.
ReplyDeleteMaybe she does, Hans. There just weren't any that day.
ReplyDeleteSomeone left glow-in-the-dark fangs on Bella Lagosi's stone, though.
I don't think any of us tried to use our phones at Barker other than for pics. At that point in the mountains it wouldn't surprise me if they picked up a distant tower. Ballarat? Forget it.
ReplyDeleteMatt, I think you mean Béla Lugosi, the Dracula actor.... But anyway,...dont you think the stone need a restauration, or at least a good clean up, or somekinda maintenance in anyway ?? looks like to me,theres none. And if that is family responsibility,.........
ReplyDeleteThanks Matt and Patty.
ReplyDeleteMaybe for next year's tour, you could put in a request to visit Charlie in Corcoran!! You never know - he might say 'yes'.
Bellz, yes the Dracula actor. He and Bing Crosby are "near neighbors" of the Tates.
ReplyDeleteI think the grave marker is Polanski's responsibility. Remember he had to give permission for Patti to be interned there. See that is the problem, he can't take care of it but of course he could hire someone.
ReplyDeleteBeauders,
ReplyDeletePolanski doesn't have to go to the trouble of hiring someone. Debra Tate could very easily maintain the family grave. She certainly makes time to show her face at the Parole Hearings, and also make tv appearances when called upon.
Here's a thought:
ReplyDeletePolanski can't even visit the grave of his unborn son WITHOUT going to jail.
Over a thousand bodies are buried at the 9/11 memorial / museum, but the relatives can't even visit the grave site WITHOUT paying an admission FEE.
Of course, when you compare that to a half blind old man losing his beloved Home / Ranch cause he can't work and pay his property taxes - it all seems to make sense.
You have to go through security, but you don't have to pay to visit the 9/11 memorial.
ReplyDeleteYES, Cielodrive, but the "memorial" is NOT the grave-site. The museum sits over the thousands of remaining body parts. This is what makes the the museum such an emotional experience AND a great MONEY- maker. Fortunately, close relatives of the still missing can get a discount $$$ price for a museum ticket.
ReplyDeleteWhat Oh what would we lucky people do - WITHOUT such a kind and thoughtful government to care for us ?
Yeah, that's true, the museum does have an entry fee. However, the memorial and museum would be considered the grave site because they both occupy the same place. The museum is directly below both pools. I'd much rather visit the pools to pay my respects to loved ones lost. The pools are quite moving. Especially if you've ever been to the trade center when the towers stood. It's quite a void. I remember going up on the observation deck when relatives came from out of town. I was really quite terrified of the height. Anyway, I don't know how I feel about the museum being where it is. I was more put off by the process of getting into the memorial. I was expecting an open park. But in reality, getting in was about the same experience as getting through airport security. There is also a gift shop there. And I appreciate that most memorial/museums have gift shops to foot the bill, but maybe it's just me, I can't think of anyone who'd want a 9/11 t-shirt or coffee mug. Too soon people, too soon.
ReplyDeleteI agree Cielo. An on-site gift shop is in poor taste.
ReplyDeleteA close friend's wife was in the towers that day. She got out and eventually got home, but Dennis didn't hear from her for like 12 hours when she managed to borrow a cell phone after crossing back into NJ. He was a complete wreck.
Holy Cross looks like such a peaceful and beautiful cemetery. It has its own Wiki page. I didn't realize how many celebrities are buried there.
ReplyDeleteHi Carol, It really is a nice place. Since LA has so many freeways, one is directly within view and earshot. No one is complaining, though.
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear it turned out like it did for you friend, Matt. I bet that was a long 12 hours
ReplyDeleteI had several friends in the towers that day, being from NY . That one was the scariest.
ReplyDeleteHi, Patty.
ReplyDeleteDon't really care for the uniformity of the grave markers at that place. It really emphasizes that the graveyard is a corporation.
ReplyDelete