YORK, Pa. — A historic York cemetery is looking for the relatives of five deceased veterans, who are set to receive new military headstones.
“It’s amazing. That's what this work is all about," said Samantha Dorm with the Friends of Lebanon Cemetery.
The Lebanon Cemetery is set to honor these five African American veterans on April 13:
- James K. Hopkins (1926-1961)
- John W. Bonaparte (1922-1970)
- Ernest Milton (1927-1978)
- Ralph E. Cohen (1895-1978)
- John F. Noble (1832-1902)
Samantha Dorm said cemetery volunteers with the Friends of Lebanon Cemetery have been working for months to give these men proper recognition for their service.
“We have over 300 veterans, but not all of our veterans have a military stone," said Dorm. "We’ve been working with the National Cemetery Administration and the local office of Veterans Affairs to be able to get all the paperwork together and secure the free headstone.”
One of the families who will be in attendance for the dedication ceremony are relatives of John F. Noble who served in the Union Army during the Civil War.
Christian and Jennifer Hunter, the three-time great-grandchildren of Nobel, say they have been trying for years to get Nobel a proper headstone.
“We were elated to be able to have him be honored in such a way that really respects not only who he is, but what he was able to do," said Christian Hunter.
The ceremony will ensure that Noble and other veterans are never forgotten.
“I’m proud to be able to tell my son about his ancestors, and the fact that John Noble was such an important part of our history," said Jennifer Hunter.
Anyone who is a relative of the five veterans is encouraged to send an email to info@friendsoflebanoncemetery.com.
The dedication ceremony is on Saturday, April 13th at 10 a.m. along 1412 N. George St. in York.