Memorial Day Observance at Prospect Hill Cemetery

Terri D. Sanders, publisher of The Omaha Star Newspaper, will be the guest speaker at the 42nd annual Memorial Day Observance at Prospect Hill Cemetery.

Sanders will address the history of the cemetery and discuss the significance of the cemetery within the Black community, highlighting some of the names that are of interest to her. She will also take a look back at Project Prospect. A 1981 youth investigation of Blacks buried at Prospect Hill Cemetery, Project Prospect resulted in a 28-page booklet that revealed more than 800 Black burials. It was initially thought that only about 200 Black people were buried at PHC. The project was undertaken by ten young ladies from Girls Club of Omaha, now Girls Inc. We have reached out to those researchers and some will be in attendance on May 29.

In addition to her role as Publisher of The Omaha Star, Sanders also serves as Executive Director of the Mildred D Brown Memorial Study Center, a nonprofit organization that promotes journalism to high school students, provides higher education scholarships, and archives The Omaha Star. Mildred Brown started the newspaper in 1938. Sanders is the former Executive Director of the Great Plains Black History Museum.

The Prospect Hill Preservation Brass & Woodwind Band, under the direction of Dave Krecek, will begin the program with rousing marches and patriotic tunes. The band is a mix of seasoned professionals and youthful virtuosos. They play an inspiring rendition of "Taps" at program's conclusion.

The First Nebraska Volunteers—uniformed Civil War reenactors — will present the colors and later fire their muskets in a three-volley salute to fallen soldiers, the earliest of whom served in the War of 1812.

Senior Pastor Selwyn Q. Bachus of neighboring Salem Baptist Church will be deliver the Invocation and Benediction. Salem Baptist is entering its 101st year of ministry in the North Omaha community, and Dr. Bachus has been leading the church for the past eighteen years.

Boy Scout Troop 42 from Dundee Presbyterian Church will help out again this year. Scoutmaster Corey McCallan's troops will raise the flag, lead the Pledge of Allegiance and collect donations.

Master of Ceremonies Shannon Lewis, representing the Prospect Hill Board of Trustees, will introduce our guest speaker and guests. Shannon will also provide an update on the latest news from the cemetery.

• Park in the southwest corner or on Parker Street
  
• Bring a lawn chair or blanket
  
• Refreshments will be available for purchase
  
• Don’t pass the buck when the bucket is passed — give generously!
  
• Stay awhile and enjoy the historic grounds and arboretum
  
• No dogs allowed

Host or Publisher Prospect Hill Cemetery