CUMBERLAND COUNTY, Pa. — Just off West Winding Hill Road in Upper Allen Township is a plot of American history.
The Lincoln Cemetery is recognized as the final resting place of several African American soldiers from the Civil War.
“After the war, a lot of the Black cemeteries, not only Pennsylvania but all through the northeast, renamed their small cemeteries to ‘Lincoln,’ because he was the great emancipator,” said local historian Kevin Shaw.
Historians believe more than 200 people are buried on the grounds, 80 of whom are documented with grave markers. Those that are not may be lost to history.
“We have 12 veterans here of the U.S.C.T., that was the United States colored troops,” Shaw said.
The Vietnam Veterans of Mechanicsburg started maintaining the grounds in 1997 after going unkept for decades.
Since then, they’ve hosted an annual Observance of Memorial Day, ensuring those who are gone are not forgotten.
“There are 12 veterans of the U.S.C.T. They never could have imagined in their lifetime that someday, 160 years later, a bunch of people would be gathering here honoring them for their service to the country,” Shaw said.
Left behind are white roses, symbolizing the purity of those who served.
“Our veterans are the reason we have the freedoms that we have and without them and their efforts, I don’t know what America would be like today,” Shaw said.
The grounds are on public property and remain gated off from visitors. Trespassing is prohibited.
To view additional photos of the event provided by Bill Martin, click here.