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Category: Where Was This Made?

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Coincidence???


 
  Coincidence???
Coincidence???
Sometimes you just have to wonder.
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Yesterday Bill and I were running errands around Philadelphia, but the weather was so perfect that we were also looking for some photo ops outdoors.
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Something made Bill drive into the Philadelphia National Cemetery (military graves from Civil War era, mostly). He had seen scaffolding around the two major monuments in the cemetery, and we stopped to chat with the two stone conservators that were working on restoring the monuments.
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Then I wanted to walk around and get some shots of the beautiful grounds. Almost 12,000 souls are interned and nearly all the stones are identical in size and shape.
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We were drawn to an area where there were a few larger stones. Please see the discussion area for the "rest of the story."

Michelle Alton

  
 
 

Michelle Alton 		 

This was a special section for officers and two of the graves with large stones were those of Medal of Honor recipients. It appeared that the five graves with larger stones had been relocated here from other cemeteries.
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Bill was walking a bit in front of me, and when he arrived in front of the third grave with a large stone, he jumped back and dropped his head onto his chest, his hands grasping his forehead.
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I approached to see what had startled him. It was the grave of Captain Frank H. Achuff, born in 1833 in Germantown, a neighborhood in Philadelphia, served in the Civil War in the 106th Pennsylvania Brigade. He had died 1n October of 1865.
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Research that we did later last night revealed that he had died of wounds he received in the Battle of Gettysburg in 1863.
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Bill's surname is Achuff. And it was the name, "Frank H. Achuff" that had made jump back, stunned. Unknown to Bill, Captain Achuff was almost certainly an ancestor of his since his family had its American roots in Germantown.
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Was it serendipity that motivated Bill to drive into the cemetery and that had then led us directly to THIS one of ~11,800 graves?
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In our research last night, we came across a photo of Captain Achuff. He bears an uncanny resemblance to one of Bill's brothers.


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April 09, 2013

 

Michelle Alton 		  Monnie Ryan
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member since: /25/2008
Always enjoy poking around old cemeteries - well done, Michelle!

4/9/2013 5:52:44 AM


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April 09, 2013

 

Michelle Alton 		  I found some bad wording in my comment and couldn't stand to leave it that way. So I deleted the photo and started over. Susan Williams' message was lost, but here it is reproduced:

Susan Williams
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member since: 6/11/2004

I am very taken with your story and the image, Michelle. Thank you for the extra effort to share it. The stone bears the inscription, "Rest, Brother, Rest." So very touching, and what a gift to Bill that day.

4/9/2013 6:44:19 AM


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April 09, 2013

 

Kathryn Wesserling 		  This is what draws me to cemeteries... each grave site is someone's story. Thank you for sharing this one with us. As for Bill's following an unknown "string" to this spot - I've often turned around to return, urged on by a feeling that there was a hand guiding me there.


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April 09, 2013

 
cynthiawiles-photography.com - Cynthia M. Wiles

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Cynthia M. Wiles's Gallery 		  This is a wonderful story Michelle! Hopefully this photo will live on, as the gravestone, in family history.
I, myself have had a similar find, something I was not aware of or looking for and it does make you believe. This was no accident .
Cindy


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April 09, 2013

 

Tiia Vissak 		  this is very interesting indeed!


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April 09, 2013

 

Dave Bell 		  I always enjoy your descriptions and write ups with regard to your pictures Michelle, this is one most interesting sequence of events.


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April 09, 2013

 
buffalogalphotos.com - Terry Cervi

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Terry Cervi's Gallery 		  What an interesting and rewarding trip for you and Bill, Michelle! I enjoyed reading about your day and the wonderful shot you took of your find.


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April 09, 2013

 

Jeffrey R. Bange 		  I think it was definitely fate that brought you to the cemetery that day and led Bill to that particular monument. Thank you Michelle for sharing your wonderful story with us.


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April 09, 2013

 
- Patrick Rouzes

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Patrick Rouzes's Gallery 		  Totally fascinating story , Michelle. I believe something enticed Bill to this spot. Always a pleasure, my friend.
Great capture too.


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April 09, 2013

 

Joyce S. Court 		  What a fabulous find! No coincidence that Bill found that headstone among almost 12,000. Stories are what make the photos so compelling.


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April 10, 2013

 

Cathy A. Rose 		  Awesome story Michelle... Thanks for sharing!! Great picture!!


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April 10, 2013

 

John Connolly 		  An incredible find and story Michelle! Well done!


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April 10, 2013

 
- Emile Abbott

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Emile Abbott's Gallery 		  Awesome story and no coincidence. Destiny and fate for sure.


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April 11, 2013

 
newjerseyphotos.net - Deborah C. Lewinson

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Deborah C. Lewinson's Gallery 		  Great picture and amazing story, Michelle!

Is this chapter one in your book?
Seriously , I hope you write one, you've got so much unusual and interesting material!

Debby


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April 11, 2013

 

Ray Thoms 		  A great capture Michelle!


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April 12, 2013

 
- Jill Odice

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Jill Odice's Gallery 		  Wow, what a story! It gave me goosebumps!It was meant to be that you two ended up there !


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April 13, 2013

 

Kirsten Kiki Kjaer 		  "Coincidence is God's way of staying anonymous!" Quote: Bernie Siegel.
I believe that too.
A very interesting story, Michelle.
Thanks for sharing it!


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April 14, 2013

 

Jean-Pierre Ducondi 		  Wow, an amazing story and capture Michelle. Thank you.
JP


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April 15, 2013

 
- Lindley Johnson

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Lindley Johnson's Gallery 		  What an interesting story, Michelle!


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April 22, 2013

 

Gord MacEachern 		  Haven't been posting quite as much lately, and haven't been into your gallery lately, always a treat by the way. Just an amazing story and wonderful images. Your gallery is amazing!!


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April 24, 2013

 
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