Originally Published in Town Lively

The Chester County Recorder of Deeds and Veteran Affairs departments, along with the Chester County commissioners and several community organizations, commemorated deceased veterans and placed flags and markers on their gravesites at Old Evergreen Cemetery in Valley Township in observance of Memorial Day on Wednesday, May 26.

Old Evergreen Cemetery, 203 Cemetery Road, Coatesville, was originally constructed when segregation was still prominent in the United States and thus contains gravesites solely of African Americans, many of whom belonged to the Hayti community of Valley Township. It was filled to capacity in the 1960s prior to the founding of the adjacent New Evergreen Cemetery. Ownership of the cemetery has remained ambiguous over decades, and caretaking has been the work of volunteers, including the Graham family, which has descendants interred at the site.

The ceremony began with a brief introduction and welcome by master of ceremonies and Chester County recorder of deeds Chris Pielli, followed by the presentation of colors by the Coatesville Area Senior High School Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFJROTC) PA-771 cadets and the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War Bradbury Camp 149. Vocalist and Recorder of Deeds special projects coordinator Kim Bydlon performed the national anthem a cappella. Then, volunteer cemetery caretaker Teresa Graham and Chester County prothonotary Debbie Bookman and her daughter, an AFJROTC cadet, placed a wreath on the site as taps was played by VFW Post 287's Bob McGonigle.

Following the ceremony, attendees heard from an array of speakers, including U.S. Rep. Chrissy Houlahan, chair Marian Moskowitz on behalf of the Chester County commissioners, state Rep. Dan Williams, Valley Township board of supervisors chair Patrice Proctor and Graham. The final commemoration featured the spectators, contributors and participants placing flags and markers on 50 veteran gravesites.