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document.write("      <span><strong>Tonya</strong> wrote:</span>");
document.write("      <p>");document.write("I wish I could say I was surprised by the JCCO, the Cleburne City Council members, and the Sheriff's office, but I'm not.  I grew up in Cleburne, still have family in Cleburne, have buried a brother, a father, a stepfather, a grandfather, and many family friends in Cleburne cememtaries.  I am also a Geocacher.  Hiding a geocache in a cemetary is not a horrible distasteful thing.  I am glad that there are people visiting these cemetaries.  I am glad that there are families going out to these cemetaries where there is more history to be told and learned than any school history book.  Many cemetaries, especially those in small older rural towns like Cleburne, are not visited by relatives because they are older and honestly relatives and families have all passed on or moved away.<br /><br />While a cemetary is a place for the dead, it is not dead.  Just take a walk around and read the headstones and grave markers, read the stories, imagine the lives these people lived, look for the soldiers that served and fought for our freedoms, remember these individuals.  Open your mind to making a cemetary a joyful place where generations can learn and grow, not just bury their dead and walk away only to visit once a year or never.  <br /><br />Geocachers are some of the most wonderful people I have met, they are genuinely good people who care about the Earth, nature, history, family, friends, and traditions.  They routinely clean areas up when they place a cache and fellow cacher's perform clean up functions when they 'hunt' a cache.  If you have vandalism at the cemetary, it is not from a geocacher.  It is most likely from kids or adults whose parents did not take them out and teach them about cemetaries and all the memories, love, and history they hold.<br /><br />I'd be honored if a geocache was placed near or on a family member's gravesite and know that each of them would approve as well.  Cememtaries are owned by families who pay for and purchase these lots to bury their loved ones so let those families decide.  My family votes YES.");document.write("      </p>");
document.write("      <em>June 22, 2009, 2:14 AM</em>");
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document.write("      <span><strong>Judy Baughman</strong> wrote:</span>");
document.write("      <p>");document.write("I am a Geocacher and I am proud to be among people who care about the history of Cemeteries and parks. I just did a 11 state caching trip and what I brought home with me was the ones in cemeteries what a history lesson we got and what a humbling experience. I visited one it was Carr Cemetery a black cemetery the name is the road I live on how cool for me, now would I be there if not for Geocaching think not would I know of it if not for Geocaching think not.But the pictures are in my memory book.  My kids say Mom why you want to go there? Well it is because that is where you can get in touch with your self when you see babies die so young and other older people who lived to tell the tale it makes you appreciate life either by the fact you are still here or that you got to live to enjoy this thing we call life.. No it is not about the trade things it is about someone bring you here where you wouldn't have come other wise..One of my first caches was one called Blair Witch[FL] cache in a Cemetery and the horror I saw there still makes me mad. What a total disgrace I witness there.And I just did one where a man named David fought the state to keep his Wife Cemetery[TN] where the interstate was coming through was a total disgrace No one would knows it was there, No one visits it But Geocacher as you fly around the curve you would not know it there and no it is not kept up.. Hidden Treasure at least we stopped and say God Bless these forgotten souls. All Geocacher appreciate their surroundings and these cemeteries are hidden treasure to us..<br /> We are to ask permission and put it where it is out of site and no way harm a grave and if someone wants it remove we do that too and as was stated we hold C.I.T.O Events where we go in and help clean up not only here but parks as well.. Sounds as if this person needs help and is mad that pleasure is being had and they think we should be helping here. And I know the site owner would have replied to their letter or email which ever it was as ALL matters are handle quickly.<br /> And if another Geocacher sees abuse we report it and it is handle very quickly.<br /> So I ask please don't take away our treasure of seeing these places in our travels with a little Smile on a page we learn a lot we might have missed.<br /> Some people ride in cars, some ride in planes, some might take a boat, to get to one place..or another,Some use travel agency but with Geocaching we use it to get to these Hidden Treasures called Cemeteries where life will live on if only in our memeories books.<br /> Judy Baughman<br />Riverview,Fl <br />Proud Geocacher Smiling Little Perch");document.write("      </p>");
document.write("      <em>June 13, 2009, 12:57 PM</em>");
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document.write("      <span><strong>Brian</strong> wrote:</span>");
document.write("      <p>");document.write("Geocaching is more than a game, it's a activity that is  a great way to explore the world.<br /><br />Geocaching brings its participants to many fascinating place. Cemeteries with their beauty, art, wildlife and history are exactly one of the types of places that many geocachers are looking for the sport to bring them.<br /><br />This article portrays geocachers as a bunch of insensitive clods, stomping on graves and showing disrespect. It's not a positive picture, nor is it an accurate one. <br /><br />Though you can't paint all geocachers with one brush, the sport tends to attract those with an innate curiosity in the world around them and a deep respect for history and the environment.<br /><br />As someone who has visited cemeteries to take in the history and art within them long before I started geocaching, I'm grateful when my fellow geocachers bring a cemetery to my attention by placing a geocache in one.<br /><br />Though the cache is what brings me there, I've spent countless hours reading the headstones and reflecting on the lives of the people interred there. <br /><br />I recall being brought to tears by a the inscription on the headstone of a teenage girl. I had a very moving moment in a veterans section of a cemetery when I discovered the grave of a soldier who shared my birthday. I said a silent thank you to a man who was killed in action in WW1.  I've visited graves of the famous (Robert Frost, Babe Ruth), and the not so famous, including pioneering families in my area and Civil and Revolutionary War soldiers. <br /><br />Geocaching is what brought me these experiences, ones that I likely would have otherwise missed.<br /><br />While I was there all I did was find the container, sign the log, pay my respects and maybe pick up a little litter on the way out. I don't see anything wrong with that.");document.write("      </p>");
document.write("      <em>June 11, 2009, 7:42 PM</em>");
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document.write("      <span><strong>TripCyclone</strong> wrote:</span>");
document.write("      <p>");document.write("First, to Grieving Mother.  I can understand your distraught over some items stolen from your daughter's grave.  However, a geocacher would not steal items from ANYWHERE.  The only item that a geocacher would interact with is the geocache itself.  I would hope that you are not assigning blame without evidence that a geocacher is the one stealing the items.<br /><br />Second, every cemetery cache I have been too has been placed with respect the deceased buried there.  Almost every one of those caches were placed to highlight something of historical value.  I recently found a geocache in a grave that required me to collect information from various graves before I could figure out the final location of the geocache.  The cemetery itself was important because many of the early pioneers in that area were relocated to this cemetery.  <br /><br />I've been to other cemetery caches that contain graves for veterans of many wars, ranging from recent wars on back to one that highlighted a Revolutionary War veteran.  These can be an exciting way to bring history to life.<br /><br />After this article came out, a discussion was started on the geocaching forums so that local geocachers could begin discussing ideas for working with the local cemetery board and local police.  One geocacher even discovered documents by the Texas Historical Commission that actually encourages scavenger hunts in cemeteries as a way to educate people about the history there.  Other topics include trying to host a CITO event.  CITO stands for Cache In, Trash Out.  It's a basic principle that many geocachers follow.  The idea is that if we go into an area to geocache, we make an effort to clean up local trash.  An event would be an organized trash cleanup effort.  I've seen many cemeteries where people have visited to pay respect, but that respect doesn't extend to cleaning up after themselves.  <br /><br />Geocachers don't run around damaging their surroundings.  If there are items being stolen from headstones, or headstones that are damaged, I would be looking for another source.  The ideas behind geocaching, to HIDE a container for others to find, would be to the exact opposite effect.  Why go through all the trouble of finding a hidden container only to turn around and cause visible damage to the surroundings?<br /><br />Please don't automatically lump all geocachers into the category of evil just because you need to find someone to blame.  Contact the local geocachers and you might even be surprised at who it is.  I'm a teacher myself.  I know geocachers in the medical field, financial market, news, retail, firemen, park rangers, etc., etc.  Heck, the person who ensures that all geocaches in Kansas meet guidelines is a police officer himself.  Not exactly the type of person who would run around destroying graves.");document.write("      </p>");
document.write("      <em>June 11, 2009, 12:33 PM</em>");
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document.write("      <span><strong>P88</strong> wrote:</span>");
document.write("      <p>");document.write("I have placed geocaches in this county in question.  But as far as I know, not any that were mentioned or found by accident.<br />All geocaches have contact information inside so that if anyone has concerns, we can be notified.<br />I'm with most of the other geocachers here in that I enter these grounds with the utmost respect and reverence.  <br />I feel it is a priveledge to explore these areas that are rich in history.  The stories that the markers tell is educating to ourselves and children.  These stories include civil war veterans, the separation of whites and blacks, the tragic deaths of young pioneers, the first women to own land in the county, etc.<br />If theft of items from headstones is a concern, the locals and caretakers should welcome us with open arms.  We are the best deterrent to aberrant behavior there is.  <br />We clean up as we go becasue we hate to see these areas spoiled.  And we keep an eye on vandalism by simply being around.  <br />I hope we can all get along.  We have loved ones in these areas, too.");document.write("      </p>");
document.write("      <em>June 11, 2009, 11:52 AM</em>");
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document.write("      <span><strong>amber murphy</strong> wrote:</span>");
document.write("      <p>");document.write("I am a geocacher, and we have NEVER disrespected or trashed an area. There are rules and one is to never bury a cache, it was said earlier but it is not a treasure hunting game, caches are put interesting places to draw people there to learn, enjoy and so on. I think narrow minded people should look into every aspect of something before slinging accusations.");document.write("      </p>");
document.write("      <em>June 11, 2009, 11:09 AM</em>");
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document.write("      <span><strong>DanF</strong> wrote:</span>");
document.write("      <p>");document.write("To Grieving Mother:<br /><br />We all feel for your loss.  I suspect that you, along with some others, have a totally wrong impression of our activity.  We are adults, not juvenile deliquents running around vandalizing grave sites.  You mention that you have had things stolen from your daughter's grave site... but what you fail to realize is that the presence of geocachers in the cemetery would actually be a deterrent to vandals and theives.");document.write("      </p>");
document.write("      <em>June 11, 2009, 11:04 AM</em>");
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document.write("      <span><strong>Theresa</strong> wrote:</span>");
document.write("      <p>");document.write("As a geocacher, I've taken time to clean others' messes in cemeteries as I'm caching there. I know many other cachers do this as well so really it's beneficial cemeteries have geocachers wandering in. We really are respectful of the surroundings, and the article acts as if no geocacher has ever had a loved one buried in a cemetery. We all know and are familiar with the purpose of a cemetery and we are not out to destroy that. We just love to check out the scenery. It's awesome to look at the various headstones and read the dates. One geocache here in Ohio took me to the headstone of a man who died on the Titanic. Very historic and awesome! Who wouldn't want to see that?? <br />Caches are NEVER buried as the article mentions it's against guidelines, and cache information pages generally warn you when it's in a cemetery. As cachers generally practice Cache in Trash out, like I said before, I'm always cleaning up in cemeteries after families who left their mess and were 'paying respects'. It's not exactly respectful to leave your trash laying around a cemetery. And the very old cemeteries that can be difficult to maintain are often taken care of by geocachers who wander in. I wouldn't be so quick to draw conclusions on this...");document.write("      </p>");
document.write("      <em>June 11, 2009, 12:19 AM</em>");
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document.write("      <span><strong>geonarcissa</strong> wrote:</span>");
document.write("      <p>");document.write("Geocaching is not about 'treasure hunting.' It's about leading each other to interesting locations - the geocache is simply a way to say 'We were here.' Many geocachers place geocaches in cemeteries because they are beautiful places with much to say about local history. Geocachers are respectful of their surroundings. When we find geocaches in cemeteries, we usually take time to look at the gravestones and appreciate the site. There's no reason to interpret what we do as 'disrespectful.'");document.write("      </p>");
document.write("      <em>June 10, 2009, 11:59 PM</em>");
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document.write("      <span><strong>Paula</strong> wrote:</span>");
document.write("      <p>");document.write("I contacted the site listed in this article and received the following response. I have forwarded the information to the City Secretary.<br /><br />From: Geocaching.com General Inquiries <contact@geocaching.com><br />Date: Wed, Jun 10, 2009 at 2:01 PM<br />Subject: [GEO #KKV-888945]: Placement of Items Hidden - Cemeteries<br />To: pmunsch@gmail.com<br /><br /><br /><br />- Hide quoted text -<br />Paula,<br />Some caches are hidden in cemeteries. When a cache is placed the cache owner assures us they have received adequate permission. If the property managers grant permission then we do allow the cache to be placed. If there is a cache in your cemetery I suggest you contact the management. We will be happy to remove it if they contact us. Some people like caches in cemeteries some do not. We will be happy to work with the property manager if they would like it removed.<br /><br /><br /><br />Thank you,<br /><br />Michael<br />Groundspeak - The Language of Location<br />www.geocaching.com<br />www.waymarking.com<br />www.wherigo.com");document.write("      </p>");
document.write("      <em>June 10, 2009, 5:36 PM</em>");
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document.write("      <span><strong>howard green </strong> wrote:</span>");
document.write("      <p>");document.write("As Geo cachers we hold upmost respect for all outdoor areas and show complete respect for cemetaries .And we will always  visit and admire landscape as well as visit some folks who haven't had a visitor in quite sometime .");document.write("      </p>");
document.write("      <em>June 10, 2009, 5:07 AM</em>");
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document.write("      <span><strong>Grieving Mother</strong> wrote:</span>");
document.write("      <p>");document.write("In my opinion, this is horrible. I have a daughter buried at a local cemetery which I visit daily. I would hate to drive up and find anyone 'seeking out' items for a treasure hunt. As others have said, this is very distasteful and I cannot believe anyone would allow it...such as the web based company...I personally think it should be stopped some how some way. I have had many items stolen from my daughters grave along with many others. This is flat out ashame.");document.write("      </p>");
document.write("      <em>June 10, 2009, 1:54 AM</em>");
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document.write("      <span><strong>TheAlabamaRambler</strong> wrote:</span>");
document.write("      <p>");document.write("Geocaching.com is a Groundspeak, Inc. website that lists geocaches that geocachers hide.<br />Geocaching.com does not hide geocaches nor vet hide locations. <br />Anyone can hide a geocache and, so long as it conforms to Groundspeak's Geocache Listing Guidelines found at http://www.geocaching.com/about/guidelines.aspx then it will be listed. There are currently 821,057 active geocaches hidden around the world.<br />One of Groundspeak's Guidelines is that all geocaches that they list must be hidden with 'adequate permission'. Determining what level, if any, of permission is adequate in public spaces is left to the hider to determine and is not always easy to determine.<br />In this case it seems to me that a bit of communication and collaboration will solve the problem. The Cemetery Association should meet with local geocachers (who almost always have a geocaching association) and work out a few things. Perhaps agree that geocaches can be hidden outside the cemetery perimeter and reference in the geocache listing the interesting site inside the cemetery that the geocache hider wants to introduce people to. This way geocachers can visit the interesting site inside the cemetery but actually hunt the geocache outside it.");document.write("      </p>");
document.write("      <em>June 9, 2009, 11:25 PM</em>");
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document.write("      <span><strong>Geocacher in TN</strong> wrote:</span>");
document.write("      <p>");document.write("The people making these comments obviously have never been geocaching. Cachers are very concerned with the land the caches are placed on. Had the author of this article looked further, they would have found the CITO (cache in, trash out) pages where geocachers get together to pick up trash and perform grounds maintenance in parks and other public areas. As for no response from geocaching.com..... the website itself doesn't place the caches, locals in the area do.  Contacting the person who placed the caches can be done easily by doing a search using the zip code for the area and the map of the area located on the website.  Every cache has its own page, with a link to contact the cache owner. Leaving a note on the cache page will also contact the owner.  Another thing, geocachers are not 'running around, digging things up and destroying the grounds'.  The article and uninformed comments of the interviewees make geocaching sound like a pasttime of a bunch of rowdy hoodlums... this couldn't be farther from the truth!  Please do more research before commenting on something you know nothing about.");document.write("      </p>");
document.write("      <em>June 9, 2009, 11:23 PM</em>");
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document.write("      <span><strong>Amy</strong> wrote:</span>");
document.write("      <p>");document.write("I am a Geocacher myself, and enjoy this sport a lot. Since I was a kid, I've always enjoyed cemeteries. I see them as a physical part of history, to be respected, remembered, and visited. I enjoy cemetery caches because they take me to cemeteries I did not know about, and show me history, people's lives, that I'd not known about before. <br />In my experience, most, not all, geocachers are respectful, and in WI, at least, there are very strict rules about hides placed in cemeteries. We are not 'running and playing' as some may think. Hides cannot be on or near markers, and we are asked to be respectful of the cemetery, and of the people there who come to remember loved ones.<br />I understand why those who take care of the cemeteries would see geocaching in the cemetery as undesirable. I was under the impression that the cache hider should ask permission before placing. <br />I'm saddened to see two things that I love so much (cemeteries and geocaching) collide in such a harsh way, and I worry about the future of both the sport I love, and the history that people do not take the time to notice.<br /> <br />In my experience, most, not all, geocachers are respectful, and in WI, at least, there are very strict rules about hides placed in cemetaries. We are not 'running and playing' as some may think. Hides cannot be on or near markers, and we are asked to be respectful of the cemetary, and of the people there who come to remember loved ones.<br />I understand why those who take care of the cemetaries would see geocaching in the cemetary as undesirable. I was under the impression that the cache hider should ask permission before placing. <br />I'm saddened to see two things that I love so much (cemetaries and geocaching) colide in such a harsh way, and I worry about the future of both the sport I love, and the history that people do not take the time to notice.");document.write("      </p>");
document.write("      <em>June 9, 2009, 10:41 PM</em>");
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document.write("      <span><strong>ErikaJean</strong> wrote:</span>");
document.write("      <p>");document.write("It's not like geocachers are running around screaming with a can of spray paint while looking for caches. Most DO like to be brought to a cemetery for the historic value. A lot of us like to take pictures and look at the interesting stones. I would understand if geocaching was interrupting services or there WAS vandalism linked to geocachers - but that doesn't seem to be the case. We are humans. We DO understand that a cemetery is a place for quiet, reflection and memories. The cemetery should be happy to have an extra set of eyes in the cemetery, people who would report potential vandals. <br /><br />Anyway. That's just my opinion.");document.write("      </p>");
document.write("      <em>June 9, 2009, 9:54 PM</em>");
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document.write("      <span><strong>David Spicer</strong> wrote:</span>");
document.write("      <p>");document.write("I noticed the story, 'One Man's Treasure' tonight.  I usually don't comment on stories, but being an avid geocacher I thought I would comment on this one.  <br /><br />I personally feel that the first reaction to just pass a law to ban geocaching in cemeteries would be going to far.  I feel that the permission to place a cache in a cemetery should be left up to each individual cemetery or cemetery association.<br /><br />I always ask permission from the property owner or care taker before placing a cache anywhere.  I have hidden two caches in one local cemetery and I have permission to place them there from the city that owns it and the caretaker.  <br /><br />Cemetery caches are some of my wife and I's favorite type of geocaches to search for.  The search for the geocaches take us to cemeteries we never would have visited otherwise.  I have never seen a geocache in Arkansas that was placed in a way that anyone would damage a head stone or cemetery property.  They have always been hidden in a tree, bush, or some other location that is usually located where geocachers don't have to get very near to a grave.  My wife and I have seen some interesting head stones that have caused us to ask or research the headstone to learn the story behind it.<br /><br />Geocaches are not allowed to be buried if the follow the guidelines set forth by Geocaching.com and if a geocache has been placed somewhere without permission I am sure that Geocaching.com would first ask the person who hid it there to get permission or remove it and would later make the listing inactive if the hider failed to provide information that the received permission.<br /><br />I think that if those concerned and a local geocaching association could get together a solution could be reached.<br /><br />An added note, in Arkansas there have even been some 'CITO' (Cache in Trash Out) events held in some cemeteries to maintain and survey them.");document.write("      </p>");
document.write("      <em>June 9, 2009, 8:59 PM</em>");
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document.write("      <span><strong>Andrea</strong> wrote:</span>");
document.write("      <p>");document.write("to get a hold of the owner of the geocaches it would help if the volunteers tried to contact the local geocaching group.<br />Many geocachers request permission before placing a cache.");document.write("      </p>");
document.write("      <em>June 9, 2009, 8:33 PM</em>");
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