American Legion Tyner-Ford Post 213 held an observance of the Fourth of July at Beulah Cemetery to commemorate and the sacrifices their comrades made for their country.

Beulah Cemetery has a history of burying African-American veterans and residents of the city.

Post Commander Noland Smith talked about the history of African-Americans in the military while addressing the crowd.

“On these hallow grounds are buried 118 souls that gave all,” Smith said. “Dating back to World War I, they endure hardships, separate training facilities and all around poor treatment. Let us hold them in reverence to all service men and women, that they would be treated with dignity and respect.”

Smith talked about the fight for democracy America has been a part of and how it must continue. He also said he proud Beulah Cemetery is finally getting the recognition and attention it deserves.

Beulah Cemetery sits adjacent to Vicksburg National Military Park, and although not recognized as a military cemetery, it is a registered historic landmark.

“Wherever there is a military veteran, we come to the call. We service all military veterans and American Legion stands behind them,” Smith said.

A wreath was laid on the grave of a World War II veteran who fought in the Army as a private.

After the wreath-laying, Taps was played and members of the JROTC programs and veterans in the crowd saluted his service and sacrifice.

Linda Stevens, a member of the American Legion auxiliary, said she is proud to be apart of the organization that works to recognize veterans.

“The auxiliary will be visiting nursing homes and VA hospitals, so we try to stay active,” Stevens said. “If we know that a comrade is in need, then we are there for them.”

Stevens brought her daughter to the ceremony and said they were both amazed and enjoyed walking through the cemetery and reading the names on the headstones. She said the experience was like walking through history.

In her remarks, Stevens said Tyner-Ford Post 213 settled on three main reasons to host this event; to celebrate freedom, to let the community know Beulah Cemetery is on the National Register of Historic Places, and to raise funds to keep the cemetery in good condition.

Beulah Cemetery has had a restoration committee in place for about 30 years. Stevens said she saw how diligently people worked to restore the cemetery and jumped on board to help.

Willie Glasper, commander of the Sons of the American Legion, said the idea for the restoration committee for the cemetery came from a group of women and was backed by funeral homes in the city.

Glasper said the cemetery was in such bad shape and had trees lying on top of gravestones. He also said people would come out to the cemetery and cut trees for firewood.