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.[1][2][3][4] 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,[5] 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.
