Family needs new mower to tend to veteran’s grave

A Corbin family says a new mower is needed to replace the one above used to maintain a Marine veteran’s grave.

Over the last four years, Jody Tonkin and her family have visited Wells Cemetery in Keavy at least once a week to mow, trim and sweep the graves, including the one belonging to her son, Marine Lance Cpt. Timothy Matthew Jackson, who was killed by an improvised explosive device while serving in Afghanistan on Sept. 30, 2010.

With the new mowing season beginning, Tonkin and her family are asking for the community’s help to get a replacement mower.

The current Lawnboy has reached the point where it is in need of regular repairs, Tonkin said Monday as she fought back tears.

“I’m not letting Matt get shabby,” Tonkin said.

The 2007 graduate of Corbin High School joined the Marines right out of school. He was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, working in the southern part of the country when he was killed.

“He was as close to the perfect child as you could get,” Tonkin said shortly after learning of Jackson’s death.

Tonkin said the mower the family is currently using was purchased used from a friend in May 2011.

In addition to Jackson, the private cemetery is the final resting place of 17 other individuals.

Tonkin said family and/or friends of the deceased are supposed to take turns mowing or contribute $40 toward the upkeep.
Since Jackson’s death, Tonkin and her family have taken on the responsibility because they live close to the cemetery.

“It doesn’t have to be anything fancy or new, just reliable” Tonkin said of the mower, adding she doesn’t feel overburdened, but wants to continue to take care of her son.

Tonkin asked that anyone who has a mower available to contact either on Facebook or by email at tonkinjody@gmail.com
“It would mean a lot,” Tonkin said.

As a mother I want to take care of my son in death as I would if he were still with us,” she said. It gives me a few hours a week in quiet and peace with him as I mow past his grave and tell him how much I love him. When I make a pass with the mower I say, ‘I love you Matthew.’”