Some poor soul misspelled a Google Maps entry for the Peaceful Hill Cemetery in Naselle, WA. Now I can’t help but think of it as the “Paceful Hill Cemetery.” If something is “paceful,” what does that mean? It’s full of paces? Does it mean it’s really big and takes a lot of walking around?
That’s true of the Paceful, I mean Peaceful Hill Cemetery in Naselle, WA. It’s a good-sized, well-maintained community cemetery with several distinct sections to it. I’ll share some things I appreciated. (All photos by the author.)
Many Finns are buried here, and I learned about a Finnish instrument, the kantele. Did you know that when the first kantele was played, the sound was so beautiful that all living things started to cry? When their tears touched the sea, they turned into beautiful blue pearls.
The trees for two memorial tree plaques are gone now. I wonder what kind of trees they were. Werner John Hill was born in 1893 in Michigan to John and Elizabeth Hill from Finland. He worked as a logger for Chambers Logging Company. In the Army he was assigned to the Headquarters Company of the 361st “Skookum” Regiment. He served in WWI as a Private and died of his wounds 15 October 1918 at Argonne, France. He received a Purple Heart. (Sources: Willapa Seaport Museum on Facebook and honorstates.org) I don’t know if he loaned his name to the cemetery.
This graceful dual memorial is particularly attractive. I like the book between the columns.
This little angel has cute fuzzy mossy hair. I think it’s holding a bird in its hands and kissing its head.
I saw a new emblem on Mr. Bott’s headstone, and learned about the International Longshore and Warehouse Union, which is very large and active. Interestingly, they endorse Kamala Harris for president. I wonder how that flies in a largely conservative area.
This headstone has a lovely sentiment on the back: “May you always know how loved you are.” That’s this mother’s wish for her passel of boys, but wouldn’t it be wonderful if it were true for everyone?
This too is a lovely sentiment: “Ahead of us on the trail.” We’re all progressing toward the Great Unknown, we’re just at different places in our journey. It reminds me of the saying, “We’re all just walking each other home.”
This wonderful carving memorializes Chairman John R. Barnett, who worked in various leadership roles in the Cowlitz Tribe. He was instrumental in the Cowlitz Federal Acknowledgment process from 1978 to 2002. On Feb. 14, 2000, the Cowlitz Indian Tribe was formally recognized by the Federal government.
Findagrave has a detailed obituary about this amazing man’s service to his community and Tribe.
Of course, I put in a request to have the cemetery’s erroneous entry fixed on Google Maps. Regardless of the spelling, or how many paces one has to put in, a visit to the Peaceful Hill Cemetery will be interesting and historical.
Stump and Lamb explores personal growth and meaning via travels to pioneer cemeteries of the West.
This post was originally published at michellerau.com.
michelle rau 
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