 The final phase of the construction of the Fletcher Memorial involved installation. Due to the size and weight of the monuments, this project was challenging. We retained the services of an expert installer to handle the installation.
Early on January 31, 2006 the trucking company delivered to the McAlpin Advent Christian Church cemetery in McAlpin, Florida. Our installer was waiting with his assistant. Installation commenced promptly after initial greetings and assessment of the job sight. Plans had developed many months before coming to fruition.
 Initially, the large Fletcher Memorial would be set into place. The memorial is made with a base, sub base, and a die. The memorial weighs tons, so very heavy equipment was required for the installation.
The approximate weight of the memorial is as follows: die 9,500 pounds; base, 8214 pounds; sub base 5,214 pounds; open book: 422 pounds; vase; 98 pounds; three bronze plaques on the memorial weighed 60-80 pounds each for a total weight of 23,658 pounds. To support this great weight, we had prepared a proper foundation after an engineering study.
 The estimated weight of the obelisk was approximately: base: 4,703 pounds; sub base 1710 pounds; pedestal 1,993 pounds; polished top 3,568 pounds totaling 11, 974 pounds.
Throughout the process, painstaking detail was required. From marking the concrete foundation, to the placement of the base, sub base, and finally the base, it was a challenge.
First, the stone was lifted from the back of the shipper’s truck. Then, the installing truck would drive over to the cemetery positioning itself for the off loading and set up. Stone that was intended to be set vertical would be turned along side the installation vehicle. Muscle strength was required to move the belts that held the stone.
 When belts were ready, the movement began. Spacers were located on top of the stone. The polished surface was scratched with a broken emery wheel to facilitate bonding with Domo 10—the industry’s superglue and bonding agent that locks stone in place.
High-density spacers separated the pieces of granite to prevent the wicking of water between the stone. After positioning and permanent placement, and as part of the final process for installation, the stone pieces were sealed using matching black caulking.
Book Symbolizes The Life Of Student, Professor, Attorney and Author
 Initially, the book, a symbol of the life of a student, scholar, professor, attorney and author, was planned for a position at an angle on the front of the die. The final decision was to lock the book in place as an attachment to the face of the monument. We used a bonding agent called Domo 10, understood within the industry to be “stronger than granite.”
The carving of the wreath and family initial was performed by an outstanding company with whom we work. The wreath was deep carved, and the lettering was skin cut with a diluted white lithochrome that highlighted the lettering. In all respects, the carving was well done. I can say that the carving looked better than the original photos I received. Unfortunately, even high-quality digital photos do not adequately reveal the beauty of professional monuments. You have to see them to appreciate their beauty.
Obelisk
 If the large memorial was a challenge, then the obelisk was a miracle. This was dangerous work that could have gone bad at any moment. Success was the result of many hours of planning, and as our lead installer stated, “I went through a package of paper planning this installation.” Different size belts were used for different tasks with a frequent change of belts throughout the process.
This is complicated, perilous work requiring expensive, heavy-duty equipment and the skills of a specialized expert. One slip of the belt, and a project costing many thousands of dollars could come crashing down on anything beneath it, destroying the stone and any other stones in its path.
 The total weight for all parts of the obelisk is several tons. Each of the four sections of the obelisk was cored for dowels as an additional source of confidence that the obelisk will withstand high winds, hopefully for eternity.
The obelisk was doweled using steel pins that will not rust. A dowel is a short metal peg used to join two pieces of granite by fitting tightly at each end into specially drilled holes in the two pieces to be joined. The core hole was filled with Domo 10 to serve as a bonding agent assuring that the four pieces of the obelisk will permanently lock into place and will not move.
 Upon completion of the installation of the obelisk, belts were removed through the use of the crane to lift the installer 18 feet high. On the way down, the stone was cleaned of dirt and residual shipping tape. Professional monument builders take great pride in their work, and they do not leave a dirty monument at the time of installation.
After placement, the corners of the obelisk were carefully aligned. Finally, the obelisk was caulked for attractiveness to hide the spacers that were used to separate the sections of the obelisk as they were united. This is all standard protocol for the monument industry.
Vase
 I decided to install a vase in front of the Fletcher Memorial, feeling that it would distract from the front of the memorial if it were placed alongside the decorative book that was mounted to the face of the memorial using domo.
Flagpole
Our next phase was to install a 25-foot flagpole in line with the obelisk and the Fletcher Memorial. I selected a 25-foot flagpole believing that any height taller would be excessive for the location. My preference for flagpoles within cemeteries is that the height of flagpoles should typically be 25 feet or shorter. Taller flagpoles would be suitable for the main flagpole for the cemetery as a whole.
 We used one 4 x 6 feet American flag and a second 3 x 5 feet Christian flag below it. This is more than the recommended number of flags for a flagpole this height; however, it is one of the rules for monument design that rules are important, but it is also imperative to break the rules when the rules do not serve your purposes in design.
I desired to use both an American flag to honor both our country but also our family’s long history of patriotic service and my pride in our country. The smaller Christian flag served to honor both the church, but also our Christian heritage.
 Larry, my brother in law, Emma Jean, my sister, and their daughter Jordan, installed the flagpoles. If each of us lives a natural life, Jordan will outlive each of us by 30 years or more and she will remember being present at the first installation of the flags. Earlier, several members of the family wrote their names on the concrete that was covered with rocks. There will be a story to tell future generations and evidence of participation in the memorialization process.
Cremation Bench
 The cremation bench was not assembled before shipment and, as things sometimes occur, there was a miscommunication that resulted in needed design modifications and a consequent delay of installation.
The cremation bench has a base measuring 52 inches by 38 inches that was centered and positioned in front of the Fletcher Memorial. Ultimately, three urns containing human and pet cremains will sit inside the cremation bench.
Summary
We honored the legacy of our family by a memorial that will tell our story for the ages.
The details of the Fletcher and Takeuchi Memorials can be found at:
Family History Plaque For Emiko Takeuchi
http://www.valdostamemorials.com/articles/TellALifeStory.asp
Foundation Preparation and Plot Design
http://www.valdostamemorials.com/slides/slide_show_2/slideshow.htm
More Pictures Of The Installation And Final Memorial
http://www.valdostamemorials.com/articles/MemorialDefined.asp
Fletcher Pet Memorial
http://www.valdostamemorials.com/articles/PetMemorial.asp
Porcelain Photo of Emiko Takeuchi
http://www.valdostamemorials.com/articles/PorcelainPhotographs.asp
|
