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Boy, 4, has grave mission

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By JESSICA BALANZA

jbalanza@tampatrib.com

Published: April 8, 2009

EGYPT LAKE - While making his way through Oak Grove United Methodist Cemetery, Zachary Bryant wore a gray shirt that read ARMY, dark black sunglasses and blue rubber gloves.

The 4-year-old wasn't visiting a deceased loved one. Instead, he was looking to find the older headstones so he could clean them and adorn them with artificial flowers.

"I told grandma I wanted to clean," Zachary said. "Some are old."

Jennifer Bell, his grandmother, said Zachary was recently inspired after watching the Disney movie "Wall-E."

Even though the movie is a love story, "He only saw the part where they clean the Earth," Bell said. "He got so into cleaning the environment."

Bell said it started with recycling and picking up litter, but one day when they walked by the cemetery, he said he wanted to help clean it.

"Anything to keep him doing the right thing," she said.

Zachary said he is still not done. With the help of his grandma, he plans on going back to the cemetery to clean some more.

Reporter Jessica Balanza can be reached at (813) 865-1518.

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