Low tide reveals Marine's remains at Sunset Cliffs

You never know what you’re going to find at low tide along the coast — sea-glass, coins, wallets, and sunglasses aren't so out of the ordinary. On Sunday afternoon, Frank Gaffney found something rather unique.

“I found this belt buckle in an urn during low tide about 20 feet from the opening of the big cave along Sunset Cliffs [near Osprey Street],” he told me. “The urn was a light blue tin, with no inscriptions. Someone had mixed the ashes with concrete, in hopes of whoever this was, to remain resting peacefully in the deep.

"When I realized what everything was I sort of dropped the urn in surprise — like I had just dug up someone's grave — and knew right away I should throw the buckle back and let whomever it was keep resting.

"I have a shelf at home for all the cool stuff I find, and thought for a second the buckle would be a cool addition, but I decided his family probably wouldn't want his buckle on a shelf next to some shells and toy camel from Egypt.”

The brass belt buckle appeared to be a "waist plate" for non-commissioned Marine officers.

“I threw it back out as far as I could,” Gaffney said. “Rest easy, whoever you are, and thank you.”