TRENTON, NJ – Locust Hill Cemetery stands as a solemn resting place for at least 10 African American veterans who bravely fought in the Civil War. Over the past century, significant changes have occurred in Trenton, including the state of the cemetery itself. Once neglected, Locust Hill has become the focus of a restoration initiative that unites residents, various city organizations, and civic leaders.
On Saturday, May 27, at 11 a.m., the public is cordially invited to participate in a meaningful flag placement and remembrance ceremony honoring the veterans laid to rest at Locust Hill.
The cemetery is located at 73 Hart Avenue in Trenton’s East Ward. During the ceremony, ten flags will be respectfully planted in the cemetery’s soil, representing each Civil War veteran interred there. Although the exact locations of their graves remain unknown, and four of the veterans’ identities are “known only to God,” their service during one of the nation’s most challenging periods will be honored with profound respect and gratitude.
The flag placement ceremony is made possible through a collaboration between the Kiwanis Club of Trenton, the City of Trenton Department of Recreation, Natural Resources, and Culture, and in partnership with the 6th Regiment U.S. Colored Troops Reenactors. The event is free to attend, and the public is encouraged to join in commemorating the valor and sacrifice of these courageous individuals. For more information, please contact (609) 208-9991.
The Locust Hill flag ceremony serves as a powerful tribute to Trenton’s Civil War veterans and represents a collective effort to restore and preserve the historical significance of the cemetery. By honoring their memory, the community pays homage to the enduring legacy of those who fought for their country during a time of great adversity.