TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) – Dozens of community members, local organizations and elected leaders gathered at Greenwood Cemetery on Memorial Day for the 9th annual Posting of the Flags ceremony honoring veterans buried at the historic Black cemetery.

More than 300 veterans laid to rest at the cemetery were recognized during the annual tribute, including service members whose military service dates back to World War I.

For one attendee, Harold Edwards, the ceremony was personal. Edwards placed flags on the graves of two relatives, including his great-grandfather, a World War I veteran, and his great-aunt, who served as a nurse during World War II.

“These are people I like to honor- my family and my ancestors, while honoring this great Memorial Day,” Edwards said.

Edwards is a member of the Tallahassee chapter of 100 Black Men of America, one of several groups that participated in placing flags on veterans’ headstones.

More Tallahassee news:

The annual event is hosted by former Congressman Al Lawson, who said the ceremony began after organizers discovered many veterans buried at Greenwood Cemetery had gone unrecognized for years.

“Eight years ago, we found out that there was about 200 or more veterans buried in Greenwood Cemetery and no one did anything for them,” Lawson said.

Greenwood Cemetery was established in 1937 by Tallahassee’s Black community after Black residents were excluded from city-owned cemeteries. Lawson said the property was overlooked for many years before being rededicated in 1987.

Now, each Memorial Day, the community gathers to ensure those veterans are remembered.

“I just want to make sure they aren’t forgotten,” Lawson said.

To keep up with the latest news as it develops, follow WCTV on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Nextdoor and X (Twitter).

Have a news tip or see an error? Write to us here. Please include the article’s headline in your message.

Be the first to see all the biggest headlines by downloading the WCTV News app. Click here to get started.