I grew up in Madison Wisconsin, just a block away from Resurrection cemetery. Forest Hills cemetery was next to Resurrection across the street. My father's side of the family was in one and my mother's was in the other.
After graduating from UW Madison I joined the Navy and went to the Philippines. The Viet Nam war was still going on and it was a very busy base.
Eventually I ended up in Virginia with a family. I never met my father's father. He died before I was born and was estranged from the family. I happened onto a picture of his grave one day while looking for relatives. It was a significant feeling to be able to put some "reality" to his existence. And it was the start of looking for all of the family who have passed and putting them in my own "virtual cemetery".
I have to admit though, the first thing I did on Find a Grave was look up my own name. HA I didn't find it :)