Honoring a Black Civil War Veteran
Thursday, April 4th, 2024
11:00 AM
Cedar Bluff Cemetery
On Thursday, April 4, 2024 at 11:00 am, the African American Gallery of the Ethnic Heritage Museum will host a Gravestone Dedication Ceremony for Robert Parker, USCT at Cedar Bluff Cemetery, 1200 Rural St in Rockford.
Robert was born as a slave in Missouri in 1823 and later escaped to Detroit, Michigan where he met his wife Mary. Robert and Mary arrived here after he had mustered out of brave volunteer service with the 102nd United States Army Colored Troops, which fought to retain the union and expand individual freedoms. Robert and Mary were well respected in Rockford.
After the war, Robert was an active member in the primary national veterans organization here, the Grand Army of the Republic; his wife Mary was a member of the auxiliary, the Women's Relief Corps. Their membership in both the GAR and the WRC was at the time when it was not at all typical.
Robert died of rheumatism on April 4, 1891 and was buried at Cedar Bluff Cemetery without a headstone. After working with the Local and the Federal Veterans Administration, a gravestone was created for Private Parker.
Robert was born as a slave in Missouri in 1823 and later escaped to Detroit, Michigan where he met his wife Mary. Robert and Mary arrived here after he had mustered out of brave volunteer service with the 102nd United States Army Colored Troops, which fought to retain the union and expand individual freedoms. Robert and Mary were well respected in Rockford.
After the war, Robert was an active member in the primary national veterans organization here, the Grand Army of the Republic; his wife Mary was a member of the auxiliary, the Women's Relief Corps. Their membership in both the GAR and the WRC was at the time when it was not at all typical.
Robert died of rheumatism on April 4, 1891 and was buried at Cedar Bluff Cemetery without a headstone. After working with the Local and the Federal Veterans Administration, a gravestone was created for Private Parker.
The Ethnic Heritage Museum would like to thank the following for their participation in the dedication ceremony. The participants are:
Vocalist
Dorothy Paige -Turner, Educator/Performing Artist
Faith Leader
Pastor Willie Evans, Westside Church of Christ
SUV presentation
Jerome W. Kowalski, Chaplain, Sons of Union Veterans
Civil War reenactors
Leonard Cassaro, SUV Logan Camp #26
Dave Eisele, Midway Village Museum
Dan Wykes, Byron Museum
Bugler
David Peterson, Bugles Across America
Vocalist
Dorothy Paige -Turner, Educator/Performing Artist
Faith Leader
Pastor Willie Evans, Westside Church of Christ
SUV presentation
Jerome W. Kowalski, Chaplain, Sons of Union Veterans
Civil War reenactors
Leonard Cassaro, SUV Logan Camp #26
Dave Eisele, Midway Village Museum
Dan Wykes, Byron Museum
Bugler
David Peterson, Bugles Across America
Program Order
Gathering song: "Rally Round the Flag”
Welcome David Ruffin
Prayer Pastor Willie Evans
Dignitaries Sen. Steve Stadelman
“Battle Cry of Freedom” Dorothy Paige-Turner
SUV Jerome W. Kowalski, Chaplain
“Softly and Tenderly Jesus is Calling” Dorothy Paige-Turner
Gun Salute Civil War reenactors
Taps David Peterson
“Amazing Grace” DPT
Thank you DR
Prayer Pastor Evans
Disbursement Music “Give Us the Flag”
Gathering song: "Rally Round the Flag”
Welcome David Ruffin
Prayer Pastor Willie Evans
Dignitaries Sen. Steve Stadelman
“Battle Cry of Freedom” Dorothy Paige-Turner
SUV Jerome W. Kowalski, Chaplain
“Softly and Tenderly Jesus is Calling” Dorothy Paige-Turner
Gun Salute Civil War reenactors
Taps David Peterson
“Amazing Grace” DPT
Thank you DR
Prayer Pastor Evans
Disbursement Music “Give Us the Flag”