Old Pleasant Hill Cemetery Mystery

Sergio Gonzalez and Tony Negrete are buried facing each other in Old Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Traders Point. They share a remarkable list of similarities:

1. Both were born on the same day in the same year,

2. Both died on the same day and year,

3. Both served in the Korean War,

4. Both were in the United State Marine Corps,

5. Both were corporals in the Marine Corps. Here's the answer to the mytery. According to cemetery board member, Nelson Roetter, he contacted the people who had made the purchase of the grave and this is their story. It seems in the "old" Spanish tradition a person often goes by his or her MOTHER's maiden name in Mexico. This tradition runs contrary to our customs as well as our laws. So some people use either or both names particularly if there has been a separation of the parents. (Just how this family conned Uncle Sam in providing two markers no one seemed to know but they did!) The cemetery does not know how he was listed in the Corps. According to Mr. Roetter, when the family picked up the stones he suggested they place them as they are. So now you know the rest of the story. One Marine with two names and two stones!