Photos: Union Army veterans now have marked graves

[mahatmakanejeeves]

Photos: Union Army veterans now have marked graves
May 25, 2019

About 40 people on Saturday morning stood at the cemetery on the hill behind the Salem Museum to honor two nearly forgotten souls.

They gathered around two bright, new headstones, each decorated with an American flag and a wreath circling a card that read “Hero.”

Organized by local members of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War organization, the event dedicated new grave markers for former Union army soldiers Pvt. Larkin Burwell and Cpl. William Keaton.

— Yann Ranaivo

Photos by Heather Rousseau



James Tate lays a wreath at Larkin Burwell’s headstone during a dedication ceremony at East Hill North Cemetery in Salem on Saturday. The ceremony was for Burwell and William Keaton, two African Americans who served in the Union Army.

HEATHER ROUSSEAU | The Roanoke Times



Jackson Lee Rock, 7, of Botetourt County (left), salutes as his grandfather, Carter Gill, 72, of Troutville, plays taps during Saturday’s dedication ceremony at East Hill North Cemetery in Salem for two African Americans buried there who served in the Union Army during the Civil War.

HEATHER ROUSSEAU | The Roanoke Times
....

[zipplewrath]

1. Surely I'm not the only one

That finds a little bit of historical irony in an image of a young boy dressed in a confederate uniform saluting the grave of an african american union soldier.

[MaryMagdaline]

2. Way to Go, Virginia! These soldiers deserve recognition