Every year, a family puts up a small Christmas tree with ornaments next to their son’s headstone in Hebron. This year it was stolen, but after two days and a community outcry on Facebook, they got it back.
“This is the best Christmas present you could ask for,” said Monica Burr.
Every year, for the last 16 years after she lost her 20-year-old son Kyle Harris in a car accident, they put up a Christmas tree covered in angels and other ornaments at the New Hebron Cemetery.
“Each one of the angels and each one of the ornaments that are on there represents a gathering for us, and a memory for us, and tears for us, and it brings us all back together again,” said dad David Burr.
“All the angels on it were given by family members and friends since he died,” Monica said, pointing out one from Harris’ late grandmother.
Burr put out the tree Saturday. On Tuesday, it was gone. She searched the cemetery, the nearby field and the woods. It was nowhere to be found.
Kyle’s sister, Jessica Burr, posted on Facebook that night. As of 5:30 p.m. Thursday the post received more than 1,400 shares and 260 comments. People were commenting about shared experiences and sending prayers.
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The Hebron Resident State Trooper shared the post on the department’s page Thursday.
The word got out.
“We’re very thankful. There’s a lot of kind people out there who have big hearts.” Monica said.
“Kyle was probably helping direct whoever took it to bring it back,” David added.
They found the tree Thursday afternoon next to a different headstone.
The sexton for the cemetery, Jim Celio, said in his approximately 20 years in the position, this is the first time he could recall getting a call that something like this happened.
He knows the Burrs and knew Kyle around the community, and is thrilled the tree is back.
“I wonder what kind of person can do that, first of all. It’s disappointing that somebody wouldn’t think of what that could mean,” Celio said.
The Burrs said about half of the ornaments were missing. So after setting the tree back up and spending some time, Monica took the ornaments home, so they’re safe. She does not plan on putting the on the outside tree anymore since they mean too much to the family.
“I’m very thankful that they brought it back. That they listened to their heart and they thought about love,” Monica said, adding that she forgives whoever did this.
