(The following letter appeared in the Saturday, Oct. 18, 2003 edition of the Daily Courier-Observer, page 4).

To The Editor:

If you’ve driven past the Hopkinton-Ft. Jackson cemetery recently, you may have noticed that it seems particularly neat and well-tended.

Probably only a closer inspection would have enabled you to put your finger on just what gives it that exceptionally well-kept and orderly look.

Like every old cemetery, this one used to have its leaning monuments, but this summer nearly all of the tilted stones have been straightened and set on solid bases to prevent them from tipping again.

The Hopkinton Historical Association would like to publicly thank Vance Eakins, who searched for and found grant money to accomplish this task and who spent many long days in the cemetery this summer--sometimes with his son, Tony, helping, but often all alone--working to get the job done.

In addition he, his wife, Jodie, and their family do a great job of mowing, trimming, and keeping the cemetery neat.

We in the historical association have a particular interest in preserving monuments to our departed community members and truly appreciate the fine work the Eakins family has done.

Dale Burnett

Vice President

Hopkinton Historical Association