By Emilie Parten, The Reporter on the Rove
The Pelham Community held a Memorial Day celebration on Saturday to honor those who served and fell in the line of duty. They began the day with a visit to the cemetery to place remembrances on the graves of their kin, then made their way to Brown Chapel for a program packed full of gratitude and nostalgia. The names of Pelham’s veterans, past and present were read, with a bell rung for those who no longer remain, many guests shed silent tears in the power of the moment. The surviving veterans who were present at the program were given thanks for their courage and sacrifices in the service of our country.
Pelham’s history is rich with its own stories. First established in the 1860’s by newly freed African Americans, it remains one of the oldest African American communities to exist today. It’s cemetery was established in the years following the Civil War with a number of it’s first residents being soldiers who fought through the many battles in one of the six all-black regiments created by Congress to support westward expansion and assist in rebuilding the nation after the Civil War’s conclusion.
Pelham has a proud heritage, with many of the founding family’s descendants still among the residents, many of whom were happy to have the opportunity to tell their stories to the crowd.
The program held a special tribute to the Buffalo Soldiers, a group of warriors who protected western settlers, aided in building roads and engaged in military strategies against Native American Tribes, serving with distinction through adversity and prejudice. A small unit was present at the program and performed the Soldier’s last ride through the Pelham Cemetery in honor of the troops that were laid to rest there.
The black community held an instrumental role in the creation of Memorial Day, being the group that found unmarked and mass graves of fallen Civil War soldiers and ensuring that each and every one received a proper burial.
After paying tribute to those laid to rest, the community gathered at the Pelham Community Center to enjoy a lunch together, fostering a deep and powerful sense of comradery, companionship and unity.
The fallen are remembered through us, in our stories, tributes and in remembering the lessons of History. Happy Memorial Day from us at the Navco Chronicle.
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