NEW ORLEANS (WGNO)- The Save our Cemeteries organization, over the weekend, worked hard to restore tombs that were vandalized at the Valence Cemetery on Valence St.
“We’re restoring these tombs how they would’ve done them 100 years ago,” Eddie Payne, a mason, said.
Open tombs in Valence Cemetery are a big problem. Recently, vandals have been opening up the tombs, exposing the remains of the dead.
“Most of all it is a respect thing. These people don’t deserve to have their tombs vandalized,” Payne said.
On Saturday, Save our Cemeteries did something about the vandalism. They brought in 8 masons, 3 of them from the New Orleans Catholic Cemeteries all to close up 16 open tombs. There are still 3 more that need to be closed by a master mason. That work will be completed in the next few days.
Amanda Walker, Executive Director for Save our Cemeteries said, ” We are very proud of the work done by our masons. They did an excellent job. These guys have been laying bricks for most of their lives, so it comes easily to them. They were really happy to help.”
Payne said,” It’s a great feeling to help. What I did will last for years to come. It’s like my little signature on New Orleans.”
A month ago, they fixed the open tombs at Lafayette Cemetery No. 2 in Central City.