Tombstone Heroes

Webster's Dictionary defines a hero as:     

a.  someone admired for their achievements;

b. the principal character in a dramatic work or event

The people that work in the Tombtsone Transcription group fit all of these characteristics. 

They are admired for their perseverance and dedication to this project.  Not only by myself, but by many others that they may never meet.  There are countless people that have found their relatives on the internet because it was transcribed.  The Albuquerque library system is thankful for our work in transcribing and extraction, and admire us for the countless hours we have put into this project.

These volunteers are the principal characters in this world wide project.  Just 12 people stepping up to take on this huge project with no end in sight.  Without these heroes, this project would not have come together.   It was through a joint effort and strong desire to gather and list burials and deaths in our great state that we were able to continue and succeed.

Let me express my extreme gratitude for these volunteers, my heroes, that are really my friends now and part of my family.  We come together 5-6 times a month eager to hear what each other has been doing and to support each other in many facets of our lives.

Betty Lamberti - who has been with me since day one!  Always a strong supporter!
Wink Winklejohn - also been with since day one!  Wink is my support and sounding board.  Without his map skills, we'd be lost, wandering around the state still searching for many tiny cemeteries.
Gloria Henderson - a lady who came up to us in the cemetery and wanted to join the fun!  She's been here for years too.
Barb Borowy - a true lady and fellow Corraleno.  Her smile lightens my day.
B.J. Minshall - another wonderful lady that wanted to join our happy group.  She is also friends with Betty and Gloria.  Even though she moved away for a time, she returned to Albuquerque and came back to our 'family.
Lee Miller - a proper gentleman!  His precise writing is a pleasure to read. 
Sharon Serrano - she out-works all of us!  She has volunteered to keep working at Sunset this summer even through the heat!  Oh, the work she has saved us!
Diane Bloom - this lady has so many activities that I am blessed the days she can join us.  Always dedicated and ready to go.

Not last is my husband.  When he retired from P.N.M. in late 2007, he grudgingly joined my group.  But over the years he has come to enjoy what we do.  What makes him happiest is when we go out searching for cemeteries.  He is so patient when we search for burial sites;  up and down dirt roads, sometimes going where there is VERY little road, looking high and low for any sign of graves.  Such a feeling of accomplishment when we can verify another burial site with GPS and directions as well as photos.  He almost gets more excited than I do!  Almost.

"Volunteers are the only human beings on the face of the earth who reflect this nations's compassion, unselfish caring, patience and just plain love for one another."  Erma Bombeck