Date: Mon, 19 Jul 2004 22:42:29 -0600
Reply-To: Simon Reinhardt <simon@FARRSIDE.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Simon Reinhardt <simon@FARRSIDE.NET>
Subject: Re: roadside memorials/ No vanagon content
In-Reply-To: <BD21EB07.4A82%mwmiller@cwnet.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; format=flowed
I agree that, besides their memorial purpose, these roadside shrines
are wonderful for making me look around to see what sort of special
hazard may be posed by the immediate surroundings. That attitude
generally lasts for a few miles, quite aside (or added to) from the
normal defensive attitude that driving a heavy Van around at Denver and
above generates. I'm not even vaguely religious, but seeing these
memorials always makes me think carefully about life & family, and then
about the family who cared enough to erect the memorial. Strange that a
couple of pieces of wood and (usually) dead flowers can provoke such
thoughts...
Mandatory Vanagon content: My family likes to ride in the Vanagon.
-Simon
On Jul 19, 2004, at 10:17 PM, Mike Miller wrote:
> Popular in Mexico. Been done there as long as I can remember [the
> fifties]
> Probably coming here because of the huge increase in Hispanic
> population,
> emigrants and births.
>
> Probably worth it to let people know of dangerous road places but
> putting
> the things up is quite dangerous in itself in some road situations.
> Verboten on California freeways because of that.
>
> IIRC,
>
> Mike
>
> On 7/19/04 7:03 PM, "McNearney, Clayton" <mcnearne@MARSHALL.EDU> wrote:
>
>> Since many list members travel extensively I thought that this request
>> was appropriate. I am involved in a research project on roadside
>> memorials, i.e., the white crosses and other items placed at the site
>> of
>> a fatal accident. I would appreciate your comments and reflections on
>> these. Are they found in some states more than others? Do you notice
>> them? How old is this custom? If you have comments on these and
>> similar
>> questions please send them to me off list. I would very much like
>> your
>> help in identifying and contacting people who have themselves
>> participated in the construction of such memorials or who have friends
>> or family so memorialized. My contact information is: Clayton L.
>> McNearney, Department of Religious Studies, Marshall University,
>> Huntington, West Virginia. mcnearne@marshall.edu, Phone is (304)696
>> 4641 Thanks.
>>
>>
>
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