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Coincidence???

© Michelle Alton

Coincidence???

Uploaded: April 09, 2013

Description

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."

Exif: F Number: 5.6, Exposure Bias Value: 0.00, ExposureTime: 1/250 seconds, Flash: did not fire, compulsory flash mode, ISO: 100, White balance: Auto white balance, FocalLength: 39.00 mm, Model: Canon EOS 5D Mark III

Comments

Michelle Alton April 09, 2013

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.
#1523142

Michelle Alton April 09, 2013

Monnie Ryan
BetterPhoto Member
Contact Monnie
Monnie's Gallery
member since: /25/2008
Always enjoy poking around old cemeteries - well done, Michelle!

4/9/2013 5:52:44 AM #10646746

Michelle Alton April 09, 2013

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
BetterPhoto Member
Contact Susan
Susan's Gallery

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 #10646769

Kathryn Wesserling April 09, 2013

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. #10646793

Cynthia M. Wiles level-deluxe April 09, 2013

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 #10646825

Tiia Vissak April 09, 2013

this is very interesting indeed! #10646882

Dave Bell April 09, 2013

I always enjoy your descriptions and write ups with regard to your pictures Michelle, this is one most interesting sequence of events. #10647081

Terry Cervi level-deluxe April 09, 2013

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. #10647504

Jeffrey R. Bange April 09, 2013

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. #10647604

Patrick Rouzes level-classic April 09, 2013

Totally fascinating story , Michelle. I believe something enticed Bill to this spot. Always a pleasure, my friend.
Great capture too.
#10647610

Joyce S. Court April 10, 2013

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

#10648016

Cathy A. Rose April 10, 2013

Awesome story Michelle... Thanks for sharing!! Great picture!! #10648322

John Connolly April 10, 2013

An incredible find and story Michelle! Well done! #10648366

Emile Abbott level-classic April 11, 2013

Awesome story and no coincidence. Destiny and fate for sure. #10649431

Deborah C. Lewinson level-addict April 11, 2013

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 #10649668

Ray Thoms April 12, 2013

A great capture Michelle! #10650984

Jill Odice level-classic April 13, 2013

Wow, what a story! It gave me goosebumps!It was meant to be that you two ended up there ! #10652170

Kirsten Kiki Kjaer April 14, 2013

"Coincidence is God's way of staying anonymous!" Quote: Bernie Siegel.
I believe that too.
A very interesting story, Michelle.
Thanks for sharing it! #10652780

Jean-Pierre Ducondi April 15, 2013

Wow, an amazing story and capture Michelle. Thank you.
JP #10654716

Lindley Johnson level-classic April 22, 2013

What an interesting story, Michelle! #10663212

Gord MacEachern April 24, 2013

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!! #10665589

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