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Kinder Cemetery Photo Gallery 

 

 

Some people live and their presence is known... Some people live and their presence is felt.

The Kinder McRill Memorial Cemetery is filled with those of the latter.

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Each headstone represents a story to be told, a past to be remembered.

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They are not gone who live in the hearts of those they leave behind.

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We understand death for the first time when He puts His hand on the one we love.

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Earth has no sorrow that Heaven cannot heal.

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Death does not intervene in God's overall plan.

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Death is the golden key that opens the palace of eternity.

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Because He lives.... I can face tomorrow.

                                                                                                  

Prepare to meet your God!
Amos 4:12
 

O to be ready when death shall come!

O to be ready to hasten home!

And sweetly, gently, to pass away

From earth's dim twilight into day.

   

In Loving Memory of Those Who Have Gone On Ahead in Year 2013

* Denotes Veteran

Randall R. Matthis

Wildreau P. Granger

Thanks be to God for their  lives...

May their soul rest in eternal peace!

  

The Kinder McRill Memorial Cemetery is honored to be the final resting place for the area's only Medal of Honor recipient-- 1LT Douglas B. Fournet. 1LT Fournet, a native of nearby Lake Charles, heroically and gallantly gave his life to save his fellow man in the Republic of Vietnam on 4 May 1968. The MOH Citation of 1LT Fournet reads, "For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty." Read the entire Citation and view a larger photo of 1LT Fournet on the "List of Veterans Page".

Medal of Honor Memorial Dedication A Medal of Honor Memorial Dedication Ceremony was held in the Kinder McRill Memorial Cemetery on Monday, February 2013. The ceremony was sponsored jointly by the Alvin L. Nevils American Legion Post 244 and the Fournet/LaFleur Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 215 of Kinder. The memorial was purchased by the two aforementioned organizations with the help of area citizens. Members of the Fournet family were in attendance along with a large group of friends from southwest Louisiana. Here are some photos taken during the ceremony:

 

Avenue of Flags

The Kinder Cemetery Association establishes its "Avenue of Flags" in the Kinder McRill Memorial Cemetery each Memorial Day. On this special occasion, 85 large casket flags are flown along the main driveways in the cemetery. These casket flags were earlier presented to family members "on behalf of a grateful Nation" at the time of their loved one's interment. The flags are proudly flown  to honor the memory of those who served, sacrificed, suffered, bled, and, in some cases, died for their country. Additionally, a small American flag is displayed at the grave of each veteran buried in the cemetery. To all veterans, living and dead, this is our way of saying  "Thank You" for what you have done for this country. May God help us to always remember. To read the history of how the Avenue of Flags got started, go to: Avenue of Flags

            

 

 Memorial Day 2013 Ceremony

The Kinder Cemetery Association held its 18th Annual Memorial Day Ceremony and Avenue of Flags in the Kinder McRill Memorial Cemetery at 9:30 AM on Monday, 27 May 2012. The ceremony was held to honor and pay tribute to all those who made the supreme sacrifice in all of America's wars from the Revolutionary War up to the present time. A special tribute was paid to several deceased veterans as members of the Fred Smith and Oliver Woodard families presented their loved ones' casket flag to be flown on the Avenue of Flags. Colonel Don Ladner, US Army Retired, delivered the Memorial Day address-- "Never Forget, Forever Honor". In the tradition of Civil War times, young flower girls from the community placed fresh flowers on the graves of all veterans buried in the cemetery. All veterans and surviving spouses of veterans in attendance were recognized.  The Southwest Louisiana Chapter of the Vietnam Veterans of America performed as Color Guard and Honor Guard and placed a wreath on a symbolic grave of “The Fallen". A Roll Call and Tolling of the Bell was conducted for the 144 veterans buried or memorialized in the Kinder McRill Cemetery. The ceremony ended with a 21-gun salute, the traditional playing of Taps and the singing in unison of God Bless America.

Below are scenes from the Memorial Day 2013 Ceremony.

Annual Membership Drive/Annual Dues Collection Suspended  The Kinder Cemetery Association has suspended its yearly Membership Drive and collection of Annual Dues for the foreseeable future. The reason being is the cemetery is now receiving funds from the gas/oil well drilled just South of the Cemetery. The first payment was on 25 May '04. The amount of income from the gas/oil well varies from month to month due to well production and market conditions. Also, it is not known how long the well will last nor how long this income will be generated.   The Board of Directors has decided that those individuals who belonged to the Association in the year 2003 would be "grand fathered" in as future KCA Association members without further payment of annual member dues each year. Voluntary financial contributions, however, will still be accepted and will be applied to cemetery maintenance and improvements.   Also, the Board sought and was granted Tax Exempt Status from the IRS under Section 501 (c) (13) cemeteries which will help with the tax liabilities on any income received.

Wrought Iron Fence Project Finally Completed   In 1996, a project was begun to change the appearance of the Kinder Cemetery. A brick entranceway would be built and as donations were received a wrought iron fence would be installed to replace the old chain link fence.   In 1999, one half of the wrought iron fence was constructed across the West side of the cemetery and in 2001 the fence was completed across the entire West side. The installation of the North side fence was completed in May 2004 while the installation of the fence along the South side of the cemetery was completed in May 2006.   After twelve years, the wrought iron fence project was finally completed in 2007 with the construction and erection of the fence along the East side. Our thanks to all who had a hand in the completion of this improvement project. A list of contributors to the Wrought Iron Fence Project and more photos of the construction effort can be found by clicking on this link: Fence Project.

Members of the KCA Board of Directors are shown below as they install
line posts for the wrought iron fence along the North side of the cemetery.

 

The completed wrought iron fence along the North side of the cemetery.
 



The completed wrought iron fence along the South side of the cemetery.

The completed wrought iron fence along the East side of the cemetery.

Road Paving Project Completed   In October 2007, work was undertaken to pave the roadway into and out of the cemetery. Additionally, a concrete curb was constructed around the flagpole to prevent anyone from driving over the circle of concrete and damaging the flagpole. The paving project was completed in early November 2007.

Road Paving Project -- October/November 2007.

Cemetery Maintenance

Joe and Terry, the cemetery groundskeepers, do an outstanding job
with the grounds maintenance. They mow and trim every two weeks. 
 

Links to other websites in this area which might be of interest to you.

Kinder Bible Church  
(Formerly First Congregational Church)

Kinder Elementary
(The Official Website of Kinder Elementary School.)
 

 

Why We Read & Record Cemeteries
 

THE RECORDING OF A CEMETERY   Today we walked where others walked On a lonely, windswept hill; Today we talked where other cried For Loved Ones whose lives are stilled.   Today our hearts were touched By graves of tiny babies; Snatched from the arms of loving kin, In the heartbreak of the ages.   Today we saw where the grandparents lay In the last sleep of their time; Lying under the trees and clouds - Their beds kissed by the sun and wind.   Today we wondered about an unmarked spot; Who lies beneath this hollowed ground? Was it a babe, child, young or old? No indication could be found.   Today we saw where Mom and Dad lay. We had been here once before On a day we'd all like to forget, But will remember forever more.   Today we recorded for kith and kin The graves of ancestors past; To be preserved for generations hence, A record we hope will last.   Cherish it, my friend; preserve it, my friend, For stones sometimes crumble to dust And generations of folks yet to come Will be grateful for your trust. - Thelma Greene Reagan -

    
 

If Tombstones Could Talk -- Tales from a Country Graveyard A talk delivered to the SW Louisiana Historical Society by KCA Board Member Don Ladner.

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since 1 November 2001

Sign on an Irish cemetery fence:

"Be ye mon or be ye wumin,

Be ye gaun or be ye comin

Be ye early, be ye late,

Dinna fergit tae shut the gate!"

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Our mailing address:

Kinder Cemetery Association   P. O. Box 955   Kinder, LA 70648

 

                                                     

 

 

 

 

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