Macon community gathers to honor fallen veterans at Historic Linwood Cemetery
Dozens gathered at the historic Linwood Cemetery to pay tribute to the veterans who gave their lives in service.
MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – The community came together to honor and mourn the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving to protect our nation.
Dozens gathered at the historic Linwood Cemetery to pay tribute to the veterans who gave their lives in service. One of the attendees, Donald Druitt, a U.S. Army veteran with 24 years of service, emphasized the significance of the day, stating, “Dates like this are very important for those who are not able to make it back from the battlefield in commemoration of those who we lost. This is the day that we should celebrate.”
The ceremony included a special tribute to two veterans, George Vining and Sergeant Rodney Davis, both laid to rest at the historic cemetery. With approximately 4,000 individuals buried at Linwood, more than half are believed to be veterans, including many prominent African-Americans.
Asha Ellen, the Executive Director at Keep Macon-Bibb Beautiful, delivered a message during the ceremony, highlighting the importance of remembering the history of African-American veterans. “Many African-Americans who served and died fighting for our freedoms actually didn’t have freedom themselves when they were here at home. And so for someone like myself, I definitely stand on the shoulders and appreciate those who fought for our country during a time where things were not positive for black people in our country.”
As the community honored these brave souls, the call to continue honoring them every day was emphasized. “We can continue to honor them not just on Memorial Day, but every day through our actions, through the things that we do. We all have the ability and the capacity to serve and give back in one way or another,” said Asha.
For 25 years, the Macon Cemetery Preservation Corporation has been dedicated to the upkeep of Linwood Cemetery, hosting weekly cleanups. In 2022, their efforts were recognized as Keep Macon-Bibb Beautiful presented them with the Beautification Award for their commitment to preserving and protecting the cemetery.