RETRO FIND: Graves of Black Civil War heroes cared for by community
The community didn鈥檛 know these soldiers, but still respected them after death.
Updated: 10:44 AM CDT May 23, 2025
Some veterans get parades and parties, taps and 21 guns, but tucked into this thicket of trees is an ode to war dead most don't even know is here. Weather has washed away some of the names, but even the ones you can read Richard Howard, George Riley, Ruben Jackson are not names found in any history book. But that is exactly why veterans from another war and another century come back here every Memorial Day. It uh makes me feel good to be able to do it for them. Because of what they sacrificed for me, the heroes who found rest in this glen were black soldiers who fought in the Civil War, 12 of them and their families. Local history has it the cemetery just across the field wouldn't bury blacks, so their bodies settled here. The Vietnam veterans of Mechanicsburg adopted this little known cemetery 16 years ago. Back then, the grass was so high it hid the tombstones, and some stones had to be propped back up. It was as if the cemetery was forgotten. But never again. Vietnam vets mow the grass and tend the land, keep watch over their fallen countrymen who, other than their names, they know nothing about. It's something that makes us feel good. None of these people's families know we're doing this, but we do. And every year they are treated to the pomp and circumstance they were probably denied when they died, *** little ceremony with dress and the president they'd be familiar with, and these guys deserve as much. Pride as much credit for what they've done as any other veteran and they're getting it now that the symbol of their sacrifice is out in the open the way it was supposed to be in Upper Allen Township, Matt Barcheros.
RETRO FIND: Graves of Black Civil War heroes cared for by community
The community didn鈥檛 know these soldiers, but still respected them after death.
Updated: 10:44 AM CDT May 23, 2025
In a small glen located in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, 12 veterans lay at rest. Separated from other veterans, these soldiers are different 鈥� they鈥檙e Black. Despite fighting for the freedom of enslaved African Americans in the South together, Black veterans who fought in the Civil War were often still separated from their White counterparts after death. The cemetery housing the twelve Civil War heroes and their families was adopted by Vietnam veterans, who ensure the upkeep of the land and gravestones. The Mechanicsburg community celebrates the twelve men who fought to end enslavement every Memorial Day. 鈥淓very year, they are treated to the pomp and circumstance they were probably denied when they died,鈥� one celebrant said. Memorial Day is May 25, 2025. This day is meant to remember the countless heroes who have lost their lives serving in the United States military. WATCH the video above to celebrate Black Civil War veterans who fought for freedom. If you liked this archival find, check out more videos below.
In a small glen located in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, 12 veterans lay at rest. Separated from other veterans, these soldiers are different 鈥� they鈥檙e Black.
Despite fighting for the freedom of enslaved African Americans in the South together, Black veterans who fought in the Civil War were often still separated from their White counterparts after death.
The cemetery housing the twelve Civil War heroes and their families was adopted by Vietnam veterans, who ensure the upkeep of the land and gravestones. The Mechanicsburg community celebrates the twelve men who fought to end enslavement every Memorial Day.
鈥淓very year, they are treated to the pomp and circumstance they were probably denied when they died,鈥� one celebrant said.
Memorial Day is May 25, 2025. This day is meant to remember the countless heroes who have lost their lives serving in the United States military.
WATCH the video above to celebrate Black Civil War veterans who fought for freedom.
If you liked this archival find, check out more videos below.