Fort Drum cemeteries are all intact, much as they were 20 years ago,
when fist assessed by Louis Berger and Associates.  They are now managed
by the Fort Drum Cultural Resources Section of Fort Drum Public Works.
The larger cemeteries are open to the public twice a year, for relatives
to visit graves, and are also visited through tours organized through
the Jefferson County Historical Society.  To the best of my knowledge,
"misfires" have NEVER landed in the Fort Drum cemeteries.

D. Babson.


-----Original Message-----
From: HISTORICAL ARCHAEOLOGY [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of
George Myers
Sent: Thursday, April 15, 2004 10:21 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Abandoned Cemeteries (was: Re: safe gravestone rubbing)


Those situations can be problematic I learned. At Fort Drum, NY about
110,000 acres were many small communities, four of which, were bog iron
foundries producing railroad axles and wheels. Anyway, when Pine Camp
became Fort Drum after WWII the current limits were obtained. Some of
the cemeteries have had misfires land in them (stationary fire exercises
are conducted there for tanks from Fort Knox before moving on to Fort
Erwin in California, and also A-10 Warthogs at one time practiced there
escorted by F-4's. Much of the property is double fenced "impact zones")


Some of the trouble resulted in one of the locals shooting one of the
enlisted(?) men that resulted in a murder trial I heard. Unfortunately,
I have also witnessed why these things get out of control. One night on
Garden of Eden Road, right in Philadelphia, NY next to the "Garden of
Eden Farm" with the above acreage available, the place lit up in flares,
parachute flares and concussion bombs for about 40 minutes straight just
off a State road. I also thought I saw a coyote tearing across the
landscape in my headlights. That was twenty years ago, however, and
since, the place has changed into four lane highways, Hummvees and
Blackhawk helicopters and Bradley's and Abrams tanks. Quite a
transformation. I hope they got safer and the cemeteries are maintained.


George Myers