A00190 - The Memorial Service: Qing Ming and the Black Civil War Soldiers
I do not know for certain when I shall return to Amherst College. I suspect that the next time I shall return will be for my 50th Year Reunion in May of 2025 sometime around Memorial Day. If I am able to make it back at that time, as part of my Memorial Service, I would like to visit the Town of Amherst's West Cemetery and visit the graves of the five Black Civil War soldiers mentioned in the article set forth below.
In an email from long ago, I mentioned the Asian practice of Qing Ming
I may not be able to prepare a feast for the ancestors to partake of on Memorial Day in 2025, nor will I burn any paper money for them to spend in the world beyond. However, I think that I may be able to clean their gravesites, if needed, and to carry a bottle of spirits (I think some whiskey would do) to share with each one of them. After all, I suspect that after 150 years, they may be quite thirsty by now.
Peace,
Everett "Skip" Jenkins
Fairfield, California
September 8, 2023
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Amherst salutes five black Civil War soldiers buried in West Cemetery
Descendants of African-American soldiers pay tribute to overlooked Civil War service
By SCOTT MERZBACH
Staff Writer
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Tuesday, September 20, 2011
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1Hundreds gather for a ceremony held to honor five Amherst African-American Civil War soldiers Sunday at West Cemetery in Amherst." href="http://gazettenet.com/files/images/20110919-223225-pic-569678543.display.jpg" rel=lightbox[story]>
JERREY ROBERTS
Hundreds gather for a ceremony held to honor five Amherst African-American Civil War soldiers Sunday at West Cemetery in Amherst.
2Robert Romer speaks Sunday about Charles Finnemore, an African-American Civil War soldier who served in the Massachusetts 54th Infantry." href="http://gazettenet.com/files/images/20110919-223225-pic-498075109.display.jpg" rel=lightbox[story]>
JERREY ROBERTS
Robert Romer speaks Sunday about Charles Finnemore, an African-American Civil War soldier who served in the Massachusetts 54th Infantry.
3Karl Coleman of the Massachusetts 54th Regiment Color Guard Peter Brace Brigade in Springfield, listens to a ceremony held to honor black Civil War soldiers Sunday at West Cemetery in Amherst. Five are buried in the cemetery." href="http://gazettenet.com/files/images/20110919-223225-pic-76772155.display.jpg" rel=lightbox[story]>
JERREY ROBERTS
Karl Coleman of the Massachusetts 54th Regiment Color Guard Peter Brace Brigade in Springfield, listens to a ceremony held to honor black Civil War soldiers Sunday at West Cemetery in Amherst. Five are buried in the cemetery.
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AMHERST - With the sun shining on a crisp late summer day, more than 150 people gathered in the town's historic West Cemetery Sunday to recognize the sometimes forgotten contributions of black Civil War soldiers to the cause of freedom.
Five men whose final resting places are in the cemetery were honored, with many of their descendants on hand to observe the ceremony.
"It was just incredible and so moving," said Edythe Harris of Greenfield, whose ancestors, Charles Thompson, Christopher Thompson and John Thompson, were all part of the Massachusetts 5th Cavalry.
Besides the Thompsons, Charles Finnemore of the Massachusetts 54th Infantry and Genalvin Marse of the Connecticut 29th Infantry were also honored.
Bob Romer, an Amherst historian who organized the event with Veterans Agent Steve Connor, said he believes it was a memorable occasion for all who attended and participated.
"It was really wonderful," Romer said. "I feel very, very good about it."
There were brief remarks made about each of the men during the roll call of the veterans, an invocation by Rev. Crystal Roberson of Hope Community Church, a recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance and the singing of the National Anthem.
Representatives from the American Legion Post 148 and VFW Post 754 placed official Grand Army of the Republic flag holders at each gravesite, which will be used for the placement of flags every Memorial Day. There were also floral wreaths put in place followed by a gun salute.
Harris said about 18 relatives, including her sons, William of Los Angeles, Calif. and Dan of Andover, along with extended family from Holyoke, Springfield, and Pittsfield, were able to make it to the ceremony.
"They were just so elated that this was done," Harris said. "It was such a good time to look back at history to realize what had been accomplished by them."
Harris said one important observation she will take away is that the five men volunteered their service to the Union and were not drafted.
Harris praised the beautiful songs that were performed by the choirs from both Hope Community Church and the Goodwin Memorial AME Zion Church, "'Done Made My Vow to the Lord" and "Total Praise."
Romer said he was pleasantly surprised by three reenactors of the Connecticut 29th Infantry, who traveled to Amherst after hearing about the event.
Also attending were members of the University of Massachusetts ROTC program.
There are gravestones for all the African-American soldiers except Christopher Thompson, a situation Romer hopes will be addressed.
"Between Steve Connor and the family, plans are underway to get a more permanent marker for him," Romer said.
After the ceremony, attendees were invited to a gathering at the Hope Church that Harris said included large amounts of food.
"We were really moved and touched by how much they did for us and how they prepared a terrific program," Harris said.
Romer said the ceremony indicates how much Amherst cares for its past and those who have served the community. And the descendants of those being honored were thankful.
"They were very pleased. I got a lot of hugs," Romer said.
Prior to the ceremony, visitors had the opportunity to view the century old Civil War tablets that have names of soldiers who served inscribed on them.
Though the tablets were not on display, Harris was among those who went to the Ruxton storage facility in North Amherst for a special viewing.
State Sen. Stan Rosenberg, D-Amherst, who attended the ceremony, suggested there may be funding available to assist the town in getting these on display.
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