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Over the years hundreds of people have voiced their
support of the effort to encourage the National Park Service to
replace The Slave Meadow headstones. Thanks to all of you.
Many have added their personal comments.
Below is a sampling of those comments. There are many more to add
and we are adding them as time permits. |
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I think this is an idea whose time has come. Glen Allen, VA
Tue 1/21/2003 12:13 PM
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These are fellow Americans just as you and I. They too worked hard
to help build this country. Give them their due and replace their
stones. You might just say a prayer for them also. God bless them!
Lompoc, CA
Wed 1/15/2003 11:10 PM
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No grave should be disturbed and left unmarked. However, should it
become a dire necessity to move one's resting place, it should be
done with the utmost respect. Every effort should be made to correct
this insensitive wrong done at the Slave Meadow at Meadows of Dan,
Virginia.
Butler, PA
Mon 1/6/2003 1:05 PM
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It would be fitting and proper to honor these people in a respectful
way. Gas City, IN
Tue 12/10/2002 2:48 PM
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My Grandparents were from Grayson County, Elk Creek, to be exact.
There is much history in the area and we need to support any efforts
to preserve our precious history. Bel Air, MD
Thu 11/7/2002 2:50 PM
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Please do not let these poor people that are buried near the Parkway
lie unmarked in their deaths as they were left unmarked as human
beings in their actual lives. They were a living people to many. We
cannot afford to lose our history! Lowell, MI
Sun 10/27/2002 8:54 AM
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A very interesting article. We should all show that we are Americans
who love freedom for all people regardless of race, color or origin.
God bless you in this worthwhile endeavor. Canby, OR
Sat 10/12/2002 10:52 PM
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I think it is a sad day in our American Heritage when our past is
arbitrarily shoveled away. How do we teach our children to respect
and honor our history, regardless of color or creed, when they see
our own politicians and government ignore such an important part of
our country? If you, the officials who can do something about this,
ignore what you know needs to be done, SHAME ON YOU! Mansfield, OH
Sat 9/28/2002 11:44 AM
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I think it is deplorable that the markers on the graves of these
people were removed in the first place let alone not replaced. It
shows total disrespect for the people that helped make that parcel
of your great land what it is today. Hopefully in years to come
someone won't do that to your gravesite! Leesburg, FL
Tue 9/24/2002 5:13 PM
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I have heard about these graves for years and I feel strongly that a
monument should be erected in the meadow. Thank you for your
consideration. Martinsville, VA
Mon 9/16/2002 1:52 PM
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Lest they be not forgotten, like the American Indians! Wilburton,
OK
Sat 9/14/2002 3:34 AM
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I think it is imperative we do this while the information is still
available. Centennial, CO
Tue 9/10/2002 5:57 PM
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I have always felt that graves and cemeteries are on hallowed ground
and should never be disturbed! All of these individuals have
families (somewhere) who would love to have a place to go to in
order to pay respect and leave flowers! Even in Texas when a freeway
is built, graveyards are not disturbed! I have seen several freeways
split with a fenced graveyard in the middle. All of these people
where once alive and working hard to help settle that part of our
country! They deserve respect and recognition for what they
accomplished as human beings! Red Oak, TX
Thu 9/5/2002 7:13 PM
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I have spent countless hours in the work of recording cemeteries in
the Old Tryon County, NC area as you can see by my website at [no
longer active]. There are so many of these small cemeteries already
gone and I think that is a real shame. Forest City, NC
Mon 9/2/2002 8:32 AM
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Having traveled considerably along the Parkway over the years, I've
had the pleasure at stopping at many of the little graveyards along
the roadside. During these stops I take the time to say a prayer for
those who are buried there, and take the time to contemplate what
their lives must've been like. There is a quiet, sad, beauty about
these little graveyards that transcend time. I would hope that the
park service would honor the commitment they made so long ago to
replace the headstones that were taken from these poor souls.
Sanford, FL
Sat 8/31/2002 10:36 AM
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I'm hoping to see some kind of monument the next time I ride down
from Indiana to see the beautiful Parkway. I'm sure that such a
symbol of respect and remembrance would be a worthwhile stop for
many visitors. Wabash, IN
Sun 8/25/2002 1:31 PM
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Speaking for myself and my sons and their wives and families, please
take a moment to remember that these people, though they were
slaves, were humans and deserve respect and dignity. All life
deserves dignity. Please accept our 9 voices, who request something
so simple as a monument to remember the few, no matter how many, who
helped pave the way for thousands later on. Redding, CA
Thu 8/22/2002 1:18 AM
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I do genealogy and I am deep into history--I have found quite a few
cemeteries that have been bulldozed over to make way for
progress---this should never happen--the people that have done or
will do this will not rest in peace when their time comes. Hope
Mills, NC
Sun 8/18/2002 1:10 AM
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I think it is so sad that these people worked hard and where treated
badly most likely and now they can't even rest in Peace, and after
all of us as Americans really haven't done anything for the slaves
or their families We never want to talk about them and we also feel
bad about it, so now is a time we can at least do this and know that
they are in peace after living such [a] hard life and if the truth
is to be told they did help build this country. Please give them
some respect in the after life Pawtucket, RI
Fri 8/9/2002 1:05 PM
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Should it be possible to restore the original grave stones to their
rightful places, that would be wonderful, also. Thank you. Delran,
NJ
Thu 8/8/2002 8:00 PM
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Just as you and your friends and family wish to know where you will
be [laid] to rest, these individuals deserve the same courtesy.
Please, take into consideration these souls who have passed on and
their contribution to life in these hills as we know it...
Honaker, VA
Tue 8/6/2002 6:43 PM
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The preservation and recognition of this historical site is
important. It's legacy should not go unknown, unrecognized or
unnoticed. As a native of Richmond, Virginia who has found family as
far away as Dresden, Ontario Canada due to the presence of these all
important markers, I have a passion to pass on my history and its
legacy as an American, a native American, and an African-American to
my children. If the Blue Ridge [Parkway] removed the markers, it is
their responsibility to put them back or erect a monument. Grand
Blanc, MI
Mon 7/29/2002 9:46 AM
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As a tourist and fellow American, I think it would be admirable to
recognize the one thing we all take for granted---life. All of these
people at some time lived a meaningful life. We should acknowledge
and celebrate their lives and contributions.
Greensboro, NC
Fri 7/26/2002 4:27 PM
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I feel very strongly about this as too many of our old cemeteries
and graves have been desecrated and torn away with out any thought
to the part they played in our way of life. Many of my Ancestors
were from Virginia and the Carolinas and yes they owned slaves but
they were respected members of the family community. They may have
just been slaves but they were God's Children too and their
descendants need to know they were respected in their rest. Even the
Great Blue Ridge Parkway should have enough respect to either erect
a monument or replace the crude headstones they tossed aside. 60
years is a disgrace. Caledonia, MS
7/22/2002 12:22 PM
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Please help restore the lost memories. If there is any way I can
help Let me know. Charlotte, NC
Fri 7/19/2002 1:15 PM
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It is important for us as citizens to teach our children of the rich
history of African Americans. When I say our children, I'm talking
about ALL American Children no matter what their ethnic heritage.
The contributions of African Americans helped shape America as we
know it. To preserve such a historic site as the Slave Meadow
Gravesite would be beneficial to many generations to come. Our
children need not only a written history, they also need sometime
that they can see and touch. Something that would bring the history
to life.
Cleveland, OH
Thu 7/4/2002 8:10 PM
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I am currently working on documenting slave cemeteries in Powhatan
County, Virginia. In the process of collecting oral histories
surrounding the cemeteries in my project area, I have found that
loss of recognition of these historic sites equals loss of their
accompanying history. Successive generations grow up ignorant of the
lives of their ancestors. Please make every attempt to tell the
history of the Slave Meadow site with a memorial marker and any
further efforts. Blacksburg, VA
Mon 7/1/2002 2:56 PM
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While I do not have any ties to the Blue Ridge Mountains, aside from
an admirer of their beauty, I do feel that an acknowledgement to
these people are in order as they are part of the Blue Ridge
mountains' history. Hixson, TN
Sun 6/2/2002 11:22 AM
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We need to see that are graves and the stones that are there are not
destroyed. This is our heritage and we must preserve it. How will
future generations be able to grasp or know how our great nation
really began. We must take care of and save the wonderful spots and
places that still exist. We have already destroyed to many and it
seems that as time goes forward that there is less and less caring
to save these precious heritage places for our future generations.
We must thru our generation show the next generation that it is very
important to preserve our history. Thank you. Conover, NC
Sat 6/1/2002 2:11 PM
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As a citizen on this Memorial Day Weekend and after 911 I think that
we OWE this to the people who created this great country of ours, we
have spent tax dollars to open parks this weekend for endless number
of people to enjoy their lives and in some parks the lives of those
who went before us. Perhaps a few thousand spent to create this
monument to those who were the among the true founders of our
country wouldn't hurt. Waldorf, MD
Sat 5/25/2002 9:30 AM
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Surely the graves of early white people would not have been treated
with such little regard or respect. San Diego, CA
Wed 5/22/2002 4:50 PM
Editor's Note: Unfortunately there are thousands of small,
overrun and forgotten cemeteries, both black and white, throughout
the Blue Ridge Mountains. However, we know of no other where the
headstones were removed by a department of the United States
government and never replaced.
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I would be happy to volunteer if this would become a volunteer
effort. I think it would be a fantastic thing to create a volunteer
organization to do. Great for kids who need to learn more about
history and what's important. Count me in. Round Hill, VA
Wed 5/22/2002 10:15 AM
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A very worthy cause to just replace what should not have been moved
to start with. Good luck in your endeavor. An email is little enough
to do for this project. Kountze, TX
Tue 4/30/2002 4:32 PM
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I see no reason why you can not have both a single monument and the
original gravestones replaced. Oak Hill, WV
Sun 4/28/2002 6:19 PM
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We all should have a right to go to our ancestors graves or a place
to reflect and think of them, or people like them. This is a basic
right of all humans. Many times we do more for our pets who have
gone beyond than we do for our ancestors. Please provide a decent
gravesite or memorial for these dear souls. Thank you!
Edwardsburg, MI
Tue 4/16/2002 9:44 PM
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This monument should be small and unobtrusive in size and nature.
Less is more and it should not inflict itself upon the surrounding
natural beauty. Chesapeake, VA
Thu 4/11/2002 1:42 PM
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Everyone needs to think of the people - white
black purple or green. No matter what the color, everyone deserves
the same respect. I think it will be great to get the monument.
Keep it going.
Kernersville, NC
Sun 4/7/2002 12:20 AM
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I think is is horrible that these dear people who worked so hard
without benefit of freedom or human rights, should be forgotten..
Please see that some sort of recognition is given to these vanished
graves. Pulaski, VA
Thu 4/4/2002 12:08 PM
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Please respect all people as you you would your own family. Thank
you. Goshen, IN
Fri 3/29/2002 7:29 AM
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I hope to be traveling through the Blue Ridge Mountains on a
motorcycle trip this summer. In my research of the area, I came
across this article. I very much look forward to seeing this area
and am encouraged that a monument may be there to identify the site.
Thanks for all that you do! Durango, CO
Tue 3/12/2002 11:13 PM
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As someone who enjoys history, we as a nation have already lost a
lot of our history. Fort Plain, NY
Thu 2/21/2002 5:03 PM
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I believe that the removed gravestones should be replaced and a
monument be erected. Waynesboro, VA
Thu 2/21/2002 1:03 AM
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Every grave that someone knows about along this route should be
marked and cared for. This could be us someday! Mount Airy, NC
Sun 2/17/2002 9:25 PM
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I would also encourage literature to be provided by the Park Service
on history of the Slave Meadow. Eugene, OR
Sat 2/9/2002 10:29 PM
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Surely, the removal was necessary for construction, but the stones
must be returned or another stone erected in order that these human
beings will be acknowledged, whether they were black or any other
race. This desecration cannot be tolerated. Elkton, VA
Sun 1/20/2002 5:53 PM
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I visited the beautiful Blue Ridge Parkway last year. I think it is
right and proper to restore the gravestones to their original sites.
I will be waiting with interest to see when this endeavor begins.
Manville, RI
Sat 12/29/2001 10:15 PM
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I look forward to the day when I can drive through the Blue Ridge
Mountains and see something that would properly commemorate those
African-Americans who came before us. Washington, DC
Thu 12/13/2001 10:41 AM
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If a single monument is erected, it should have the known names of
those buried there inscribed on the monument along with dates of
birth and death, if known. This is vital to subsequent generations
who are, possibly now, attempting to find information about their
ancestors. Beckley, WV
11/29/2001 12:54 PM
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Virginia is my birth state and I would like in some small way to be
able to acknowledge those people who came before, not by their own
choosing, and who helped to create the beautiful place that it is
today. Grosse Pointe Park, MI
Fri 10/26/2001 5:02 PM
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I always thought that to remove or in any other way deface a grave
was a barbaric gesture. Altho' it's hindsight now, those stones
should have been left where they were and worked around. Please keep
this in mind if you ever have to deal with another "final resting
place".
Thank You.
Gettysburg, PA
Wed 10/24/2001 10:04 PM
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I think this is an excellent idea. Waldorf, MD
Fri 10/19/2001 2:14 PM
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I grew up on a farm in Pittsylvania County south of Gretna,
Virginia. In my childhood (I am now 74) my father pointed out a
graveyard on the family farm belonging to black families nearby- he
said there were former slaves buried there. Last time I visited the
graveyard the wooden markers had given away to the years and the
weather. No recent burials have been seen there.
Aiken, SC
Wed 10/17/2001 10:41 PM
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Please give them the respect that they should have been given when
they lived. Give honor to their existence, and dignity to their
death, and thanks for their contribution. They were so terribly
wronged in their lives. Please make this effort to make it up to
them, and acknowledge their value and goodness. Lorain, OH
Tue 10/9/2001 3:09 AM
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I think they should replace each gravestone and in addition erect a
single monument to acknowledge and commemorate the countless slaves
and black Americans who contributed to the settlement of the Blue
ridge mountains. All through history people who have settle
different parts of the USA have been recognized. This i part of the
heritage of our country. Everyone deserves to be remember for their
contributions to our country. Vanceboro, NC
Sat 10/6/2001 10:09 AM
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While attempting to plan my vacation I happened upon the website for
The Slave Meadow and found it quite uplifting. I hope that your time
and effort will be met with much appreciation and success.
History is where we find stories of trials, tribulations and
success. Although slavery was one of this countries negatives, it is
an excellent way to show children how African Americans have
overcome and where they have played a great part in the making of
this nation. Without the stones that mark these graves and an
appropriate marker we will lose a part of our heritage that these
slaves paid a great price for.
Please let me know if there has been any new information concerning
this matter and keep me posted either by email or by updating The
Slave Meadow site.
Thank you,
M. Ford
Sun 9/9/2001 12:56 PM
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Although I live in N.C. my father grew up in Meadows of Dan and I
visit there often, my Father loved the people there, the beauty of
the land, and he love the history of the mountains and most of all
the history of the people that live there and so do I. I roam the
old cemeteries and home places every time I visit and learn all the
history I can about my people and others that that have made Patrick
County the unique place it is.
I do without question think some sort of marker or monument
should be put up at the site where the slaves were buried and at the
expense of the National Park Service, they removed, they SHOULD
replace.
All along the Parkway families were removed and displaced from a
land that they loved and a life they knew whether they wanted to go
or not, most did not!
I think that is one thing the Park Service could make right with
little effort. A lot of folks come back to those mountains to find
lost families and family history, grave markers are a big part of
that search and I would think very much so for African-Americans
whose family history for some is all but impossible to find because
of slavery.
PLEASE RIGHT A WRONG, PUT BACK WHAT YOU TOOK AWAY SO MANY YEARS
AGO. IT SHOULD HAVE ALREADY BEEN DONE!!!!
Winston-Salem, NC
Sun 9/9/2001 12:54 AM
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I believe if these were headstones of white persons they would have
been replaced when the Parkway was complete. Lets get this done now
not later. Xenia, OH
Tue 9/4/2001 2:13 AM
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I own a cabin only 5 miles from Meadows of Dan and have been a
regular visitor to the area all of my life, and I've never heard of
this and that's a shame. Please do the right thing by these folks
and mark these graves. Greensboro, NC
Wed 8/29/2001 9:01 AM
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I have traveled the pkwy numerous times and have discovered a lot
about it. When I learned about the headstones of the slaves that
were moved to make way for construction and not replaced, it
saddened me. I sincerely hope that you will rectify this indignity
by replacing the headstones and restoring the heritage of the slaves
and the honor of the pkwy. Charlotte, NC
8/25/2001 8:02 AM
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What is the status of this and how much money is needed? Please let
me know. How can private parties get involved? Washington, DC
Wed 8/22/2001 11:53 PM
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I visited this slave burial place in early 1990 with Bob Heafner but
could not find any other interest in this project. If there is
anyway that I can help please feel free to e-mail. Wytheville, VA
Fri 7/13/2001 11:48 PM
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A shame it would be to loose this little part of history! These
slaves worked hard, just as my ggg grandparents did to make this
land livable! I say put the stones back as well as a monument to
their memory! Aransas Pass, TX
Fri 7/13/2001 11:36 AM
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I'd like to show my support in remembering the slaves along the Blue
Ridge by erecting a single monument.
I think it is important that these individuals be remembered for
all of their contributions and that future generations will also be
aware of the complete history of the Blue Ridge. It is important
that we keep America's history intact by acknowledging the slave
graves with a monument. By not erecting a monument to these slaves
we will be erasing a part of history. They were a part of the Blue
Ridge's fiber as early pioneers.
Germantown, MD
Tue 7/10/2001 1:07 PM
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I unequivocally express my support for the National Park Service to
restore the gravestones removed from the Slave Meadow at Meadows of
Dan, Virginia, during construction of the Blue Ridge Parkway over 60
years ago. However, I believe it would be more appropriate and,
perhaps, more cost effective, to erect a single monument in this
meadow to commemorate and acknowledge, not only the known slaves,
but also the countless unknown slaves who contributed to the
settlement of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Washington, DC
7/8/2001 12:36 AM
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Because the Park Service did not replace the grave makers, I feel
that the Park Service should have a sense of responsibly in
replacing the markers. Please, help to make these a reality, so that
future generations regardless of color can appreciate the
contribution of these people.
Gaithersburg, MD
Mon 7/2/2001 11:01 AM
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