Undaunted by rain, Buffalo Soldiers on motorcycles stopped at Zion Hill Cemetery on Saturday to honor the memory of African-American soldiers buried there. The visit was part of a daylong observance that included stops at several local cemeteries, including those in Marietta and Lancaster.
According to Wikipedia:
The Buffalo Soldiers Motorcycle Club (NABSMC) is a Black (African-American) motorcycle club in the United States, named for the historic African-American United States Army regiments known as Buffalo Soldiers, seen in their patch. It is one of the biggest Black motorcycles clubs in the USA and the biggest African American motorcycle club in Chicago, with 97 chapters as of 2012, with over 2000 members across the USA.[6][7]
The full Wikipedia article is
HERE.
The Buffalo Soldiers gathered under the Route 30 overpass near Zion Hill Cemetery after riding from Marietta in a steady rain.
On the cemetery grounds, members explained the history and focus of the organization . . .
and several portrayed persons from the past who had served in various wars.
Soldiers had lined up in the rain before marching into Zion Hill.
A soldier told the tale of his character from history.
Darlene Colon, an actress who has portrayed Lydia Hamilton-Smith at several venues, adopted the role of a female soldier – an actual historical figure.
Soldiers listened to the ceremony as the rain continued . . .
. . . and a bugler played “Taps.”
As the ceremony ended, soldiers marched from the grounds and mounted motorcycles for a trip to Lancaster.
Addendum:
Columbia Spy first encountered the Buffalo Soldiers at Sheetz in Marietta, as they left to visit a cemetery up the road. They had assured us they would visit Zion Hill – and so they did.
Columbia Spy 