Veteran praises city workers for kindness after fall at cemetery

David Hathaway makes frequent trips to Poplar Bluff from his Fruitland, Mo. home for regular dental appointments. The former Poplar Bluff resident and Army veteran often makes use of his time in town by visiting the City Cemetery to check on the grave of his beloved late wife, Linda Mae.

Hathaway

Monday morning’s visit to the cemetery proved to be one he soon won’t forget.

Hathaway, who suffers from the effects of cancer and diabetes, experienced an unexpected fall while placing flowers on Linda’s grave. After attempting to stand up, then falling back to the rain-soaked ground two additional times, Hathaway dialed 911 on his cellphone.

He says within a few short minutes a City Cemetery employee was on the scene to assist him. The soggy turf conditions made it difficult for Hathaway to regain his footing and he says the cemetery worker had no problem lifting him to his feet.

Hathaway notes then that EMTs and a city police officer arrived quickly at the cemetery and promptly examined him. Other than a superficial scrape on his leg, Hathaway was deemed “good to go” by emergency personnel.

In the 1960s, Hathaway served as an Army sentry dog handler during the Vietnam War and recalls that his fellow servicemen were “fine, upstanding people.” He says all those who came to his rescue Monday are equally outstanding and were “very professional” in their handling of the situation.

Hathaway says of his rescuers, it is “nice to have people like that” in the Poplar Bluff community.

He is extremely grateful to those who assisted him Monday and wishes to extend a heartfelt “God Bless” to them and their families.