LEXINGTON, Va., Dec. 19, 2024—Virginia Military Institute cadets in the Building BRIDGES Club, in collaboration with Remembering Rockbridge Veterans (RRV), laid wreaths on the headstones of veterans buried in Evergreen Cemetery, a historical Black cemetery in Lexington, as part of the Wreaths Across America program held Dec. 14. As the wreaths were placed respectfully to remember the fallen, Alden Rhodes ’26 played hymns on the bagpipe. Several community members gave talks including Col. Lawrence Havird ’90, commandant of cadets.

In October, RRV contacted the club and requested help in identifying the final resting places of veterans in the cemetery in preparation for the wreath laying event. At that time, 135 veterans’ graves were located and marked with an American flag.

Col. Lawrence Havird ’90 and cadets prepare to identify the graves of veterans in Evergreen Cemetery in October.

L: Cadets surround Col. Lawrence Havird ’90, as he offers a few words during the wreath laying ceremony in Evergreen Cemetery, Dec. 14.
R: Alden Rhodes ’26 plays bagpipe as wreathes were laid on the graves of veterans in Evergreen Cemetery, Dec. 14.

—Photos courtesy of Col. Valentina Dimitrova-Grajzl.

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