Today I visited my favorite cemetery ~ Harrisburg Cemetery, within view of the State Capitol. Old, old, old Harrisburg Cemetery. . . . and today I noticed something I had never noticed before.
I first had to stop by my great-grandparents site. They rest with five of their children who did not live to see adulthood. At the base of their headstone are the headstones of my great-grandmothers’ parents, brother and grandmother. Their stones were blanketed in a beautiful display of fall colors. I pulled some back to take this picture. . . . .and NO, the Smiths are not mine, simply “neighbors” of my family.
From there I decided to take a ride around the perimeter of the cemetery to see my favorite spot clothed in nature’s beauty, and did something I had never done before.
I have driven past the area where the Civil War veterans are buried so many times I can’t count them. Today I decided to stop and photograph them. While I was taking pictures, I noticed that most of the headstones had flags, but a handful had roses. Wondering why, I read the headstones and almost fell over. Those with roses belonged to men with the insignia of “CSA” on their headstones! Confederates intermingled with Union soldiers in Pennsylvania! I got goosebumps! The inclusiveness of the cemetery! The consideration of our citizens to remember them as well as “our own” on Veterans day overwhelms me!
I was almost brought to tears.
The view from the driveway is in the picture below. It was a wonderful sight. Brothers after all! We are all Americans and after all is said and done, we love each other even unto death.
On the west side of the cemetery was the most awesome sight of all. A shaded site with leaves still falling, resting in the bushes and on top of stones. I would be remiss not to take a picture of this site!
Just a bit down from this site, was a very private site sitting on top of a little hill, surrounded by bushes and seemingly sequestered all by it’s lonesome. Maybe they wanted their privacy in their vault. It just impressed me as a lonely spot in a beautiful cemetery.
If you are ever in the Harrisburg area and need your “cemetery fix” be sure to visit this cemetery. It is historic, takes up a city block and one of the most beautiful, serene spots you’ll ever visit.
It is truly a cemetery for “All Men” as evidenced by the Civil War Veteran’s Site.
LINDA, Flags and Roses — gray and blue — north and south. Death seems to be the great equalizer doesn’t it?
Thank you for such a beautiful article about a lovely cemetery.
TERRY
Hi Linda! Your posts are wonderful & how neat that you noticed the mix of soldiers!!!
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Thanks for hopping by my blog:-) Feel free to post on any Central PA graves/cemeteries that you want – the more the merrier!!! I basically based my “central” location on which highways I’d be willing to travel AND be able to avoid big cities, since I’m great at getting lost
I’m excited to read about your travels, and if you ever come across a grave for Maria de la Warenbuer Ferree (somewhere in the Lancaster area) say hi for me – she’s something like my 10th great grandma.
Can I make a story request? I read an engagement announcement in the Lancaster paper today that said the people were planning a wedding in the “historic Lancaster cemetery” – I’ve never heard of a wedding in a cemetery! How interesting! I’d love to hear more about this cemetery sometime.
Have a great day!!!
Sarah