The family of a Black Veteran whose grave is no longer accessible due to encroaching apartment buildings is calling for a cleanup of the historic cemetery, News4JAX reports.
The Saint Nicholas Bethel Baptist Church cemetery in Jacksonville Florida is the oldest African American cemetery in the city.
Family members of the U.S. Air Force veteran Leon Holland said his gravestone is no longer accessible and the cemetery is in a bad shape. The adjacent Stonemount Village Apartments have fenced the cemetery in and there is no way to enter the cemetery. The graves, the family says, are covered in debris, weed, and trash.
Sean Leon Holland, named after his namesake uncle, the Air Force veteran told News4JAX, “There are stories that are buried beneath the rubble and in the weeds that need to come out. This is not only a historic site, but this is a holy site.”
Lamenting the dilapidated condition of the cemetery, Loeon said, “These veterans that are buried at Bethel cemetery deserve the same attention and the same honor as other veterans who gave their life for the betterment of this country. It is a shame and it’s hurtful.”
St Nicholas Church says it needs help from the City Council as to how to preserve the historic site. According to News4Jax, the city council is coordinating with potential aid resources within the city government to clean the cemetery.
