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History has been uncovered, the forgotten are remembered and a community has a common purpose.
Those words were spoken by Vicki Jennings, Strategic Initiatives Director of the Land of the Sky Region Council, at a restoration and remembrance banquet at Isothermal Community College. The banquet was held to celebrate the restoration project at a 155-year-old African American cemetery in Rutherfordton.
An official ceremony was held three days before the banquet off New Hope Road in Rutherfordton, unveiling the cemetery sign - Historical St. John A.M.E. Zion Church New Hope Community Cemetery.
A crowd of supporters, church members and volunteers who worked to clear the cemetery property during the summer, came together to celebrate and pay respects to those buried there.
"Let this new sign stand as a beacon of remembrance, but also of hope - reminding us of our shared responsibility to honor the past while building a future rooted in tenacious conviction, courageous compassion, and unwavering care for one another," said Sandra Lackey, Associate Vice President of Student Affairs at Isothermal.
The cemetery had gone untouched for decades as grave markers became invisible, covered with weeds and vines. The cemetery was lost in a grove of trees. Hundreds of graves were uncovered during the restoration that began in May, including the graves of 22 members of the military who died in the Spanish American War, World War I and World War II. Volunteers placed American flags at the gravesites after the ceremony.
Church pastor Rev. Sherman Dunmore couldn't be at the sign unveiling ceremony, but addressed the crowd on video and later spoke at the banquet. He said the cemetery project came out of passion for the community to know the history of those who had fought in wars and others who were buried there.
"There were 200 graves there we had forgotten," he said.
"I am so so excited. Thank you for helping us (Isothermal). We thank this institution for helping us," he said at the banquet.
The project became a reality and a time of celebration due to the partnership of Isothermal Community College, St. John Church, Land of the Sky Region Council and a group of volunteers from Youth Works. The youth volunteers, who came from across the country, were praised for their hard work and commitment to help uncover history.
The Land of Sky Regional Council is a primary partner with funding to identify, map, protect and preserve 30 African American cemeteries in Western North Carolina. The St. John cemetery is one of the 30 and the only one in Rutherford County.
"We are living out the vision of our forefathers," said Lackey.
Dr. Margaret Annunziata, President of Isothermal Community College, said of those buried at New Hope Cemetery, "Those who have gone on before us are roots of our community. They are part of our stories."
"'The Remembrance Project' aims to honor the rich cultural heritage of African Americans by acknowledging the historical significance of these cemeteries, preserving their stories, and fostering community engagement," said Nathan Ramsey, executive director of Land of Sky Regional Council.
Ken Hines, Minority Male Mentor Intramural Coordinator at Isothermal, told the crowd gathered to unveil the sign that as a child he read the names on the grave markers. That hasn't been possible in the recent years due to the lack of attention to the cemetery.
"My generation, we failed," he said of allowing the cemetery to get into such bad shape.
"But we are regaining momentum," he said.
Hines thanked Land of the Sky Regional Council for its three year commitment to the project.
"Without them the work could not have been done," said his wife Vanessa Hines. "We didn't have the manpower or the funding. We have wanted to do this for a long time. God places people at the right place at the right time. It's given us a sense of pride and accomplishment. Without you all stepping in, it would not have happened,' she said.
"It is our pleasure to bring resources to the community and we are very grateful to be beside ICC to restore this cemetery to its rightful place," said Phyllis Utley, Remembrance Project Program Coordinator with the Land of the Sky
"This was the most extensive project... going from what was to now," she said.
Rutherfordton Mayor Jimmy Dancy also praised the commitment of Land of Sky, the church and Isothermal. To him the restoration of the cemeteries is a reminder to be thankful for all veterans who have served and died, serving our country.
Rutherfordton Council member Doris Crute, who attends St. John said, "Thanks for coming to our community."
All community members, veterans and first responders who are laid to rest in the cemetery and the dedicated efforts to resort the historical African American cemetery were all recognized and remembered.
Portions of a documentary of the restoration project were shown Tuesday by Dr. Greg Thomas, Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs at Isothermal and Bryant Thomas, a member of the Core Team from Isothermal.
Although not fully complete, the documentary outlined the names of the people buried at the cemetery and other historical facts. There will be a complete documentary of the project as the project moves into Phase 2 and 3 over the next two years.
As Rev. Dunmore closed the banquet, he reflected on the name of the community - New Hope - is exactly what the community has.
