On May 1, 1865, thousands of formerly enslaved people marched to a Union cemetery near Charleston, South Carolina. The marchers laid fresh-cut flowers at the graves, sang songs and celebrated their freedom, purchased at such a great cost during the Civil War.

In the years following the end of the war, African American communities, such as the Cemetery Community that emerged on the Stones River battlefield after the war, continued to celebrate their freedom and honor the sacrifices that made it possible on Decoration Day.

We invite members of our community to follow in the footsteps of those that called Cemetery home and place flowers at the graves in Stones River National Cemetery. The event will begin at the Stones River National Cemetery rostrum with a brief ranger talk recounting the history of Decoration Day and its legacy within the Cemetery Community. Visitors may pick up flowers at that location anytime between 1 & 3 PM. Those bringing their own flowers are welcome to place them throughout the day.

The African American Heritage Society of Rutherford County and the Friends of Stones River National Battlefield will provide a limited number of flowers for placement. We’re asking all volunteers to consider bringing a small bunch of flowers. By working together, we can ensure that every one of the more than 7,100 headstones is adorned by a flower.