Twenty years ago the Vietnam Veterans of Mechanicsburg Pennsylvania were looking for a project. They were drawn to an abandoned cemetery just south of town, The Lincoln Colored Cemetery. It was a righteous project. Buried there were soldiers who fought in the Civil War. but not eligible to be buried alongside “whites” a half mile down the road.
They cleared off the brush on the graves and have held a Memorial Day service every year. A flagpole has been added, a marker and stones have been reset.
It’s getting harder these days to keep up with the maintenance. This year for the first time the Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Carlisle was not able to attend.
The Civil War Reenactors still participate. A short straight forward program is done. Flag is raised, the Pledge of Allegiance is recited. A recorded National Anthem is played. A couple of poems written by a member are read. The verses to some would seem hokey, expressing the gratitude of those laying in their graves to being remembered, but the heartfelt expressions of respect from disrespected warriors to forgotten men is obvious.
Roll Call for the Civil War casualties is read. Died at Andersonville is heard often.
The Gettysburg Address is recited by a long time Lincoln Portrayer, Doug Kirkland.
Flowers are laid on all the graves. This year roses for the soldiers, carnations for all others.
Salutes are fired by the Minuteman Color Guard.
This year they finally gave up on joining hands and singing Lee Greenwood’s “God Bless the USA”. It always felt uncomfortable to do, but it was tradition.
My wife and I go every year. The ceremony has no purpose other than to remember the fallen.
