"Home of the free because of the brave."
-Unknown
Many Veteran headstones across the United States lay in disarray and even unmarked in private and municipal cemeteries. It takes the initiative, compassion and tenacity of many volunteers to honor our fallen long after they have made the ultimate sacrifice.
Black cemeteries in particular have often stood neglected, unmarked for decades and contain stories that are missing from the history books or the general narrative.
Black cemeteries are Black History.
My Veteran Sister Diane Boettcher invited me to photograph a dedication ceremony that would unveil new headstones honoring seven United States Colored Troops soldiers of the Civil War and two WWI soldiers at Ellsworth Cemetery, in Northern Maryland.
Diane's leadership was instrumental in researching, identifying, confirming and eventually leveraging VA support to fund and deliver headstones to a local funeral home. Diane and her group of volunteers installed the headstones in May 2022, bringing names to African American graves that went unmarked and forgotten for decades, some more than 100 years. They have a dedicated Facebook page detailing the history and stories of Ellsworth Cemetery.
On a rainy day on 11 June 2022, I had the distinct honor to document the culmination of many years of work by many people in Carroll County, Maryland.
Veterans of the Civil War:
Private William Adams, Company C, 30th US Colored Infantry
Private Samuel Bowens, Company E, 5th Massachusetts Cavalry
Private Elias Cole, Company F, 4th US Colored Infantry
Private John Cole, Company F, 4th US Colored Infantry
Private Allen Franklin, Company D, 38th US Colored Infantry
Private Philip McLane, Company B, 4th US Colored Infantry
Private Simon Wilson, Company F, 30th US Colored Infantry
Veterans of the First World War:
Private First Class Albertus Dorum (aka Dorsey)
Private Harvey Gibson, Company C, 371st Infantry
Among the groups present and participating in the dedication:
- Maryland National Guard
- Union Memorial Baptist Church of Westminster
- Scouts BSA Troop 829 - Mount Airy, MD,
- Knights of Columbus Council # 9127
- Pipe Creek Civil War Round Table
- Daughters of the American Revolution
- Children of the American Revolution
- National Cemetery Administration U.S. Depart of VA
- Historical Society of Carroll County
- Carroll County Genealogical Society
- Senator Van Hollen Remarks delivered by Ms. Frierman
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