WEST CHESTER, PA — In a historic event, United States Colored Troops veterans, who had been laid to rest in unmarked graves for over a century, were finally honored in Westtown Township. On May 25, a poignant ceremony unfolded on the courthouse steps in the heart of downtown West Chester. The occasion was a solemn tribute to 15 Black Civil War veterans resting at the ancient Shiloh AME Church cemetery.
The event was organized by the Friends of Shiloh AME Church, a volunteer group committed to the restoration of this historic site. During the ceremony, attention was drawn to the deplorable state of the cemetery and the lack of appropriate grave markers for the veterans. Despite their dedicated service, the soldiers’ tombstones were regrettably taken down and reportedly repurposed as patio pavers.
Dave Walter, representing the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, addressed the audience. “Two million soldiers and sailors, including 200,000 Black men, preserved the Union and ended the foul stench of slavery,” he said. Walter then recited the names of the 15 unmarked USCT veterans. A procession of supporters displayed posters representing the tombstones and service ranks of these soldiers, followed by a bugler playing ‘Taps.’
The event showcased talks by esteemed speakers including Rev. Dr. Richelle Foreman-Gunter from St. Paul’s Baptist Church, historians Bertha Jackmon and Dr. Cheryl Renee Gooch. Stephen Lyons, chair of the Friends of Shiloh AME Church, presided over the ceremony.
Lonnie Nichols journeyed from Ocean City, MD, to pay tribute to his great-great grandfather Richard Bye and great-great uncle Alfred Bye, both laid to rest at Shiloh AME. “The spirit that was produced from these brave soldiers has a legacy and I stand here as an example of that legacy…What they sacrificed, what they allowed us to do, what they allowed us to become is very meaningful and it lives, it’s alive,” said Nichols. Notably, the lone surviving marker belongs to Alfred Bye, lovingly preserved by a member of the Friends of Shiloh AME Church.
If you believe you have family interred at the Shiloh AME Church cemetery or would like to learn more about the group’s activities, contact Shilohamefriends@gmail.com.
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