By: Anna Seils
Following
the bitter cold Dedication Day ceremony was the Graveside Salute to Veterans of
the United States Colored Troops at Soldiers’ National Cemetery.
The
event began with a procession led by the Biglerville American Legion Ira E.
Lady Post 262 Honor Guard and reenactors from various units of the United
States Colored Troops.
Dr.
Scott Hancock, Professor of History and Africana Studies at Gettysburg College,
gave a speech in which he said, “Lincoln wasn’t the first to recognize the
power of words.” The crowd grew silent
to hear his words. “To say is to do,”
Hancock said. “Words have power.” He ended his speech with a moving call to
action from the nation. “Words must
become actions,” he said.
The
soldiers honored in this ceremony were Private Henry Gooden, Company C of the
127th Regiment United States Colored Troops and Private Charles
Parker, Company F of the 3rd Regiment United States Colored Troops.
The
grave plot of Lieutenant Miller beside Private Gooden is empty because the
family of Miller did not want their relative buried beside a black man.
Debra
McCauslin is currently trying to find and honor the relatives of Private
Parker. Please call 717-528-8552 for any
information about Parker that may help locate his relatives.
No comments:
Post a Comment