Mr. Nagle,
I am very disappointed to respond that your post is affirmative with the actions here in VA. After making several attempts to reach descendants of those buried in the slave cemetery (Green family members) as well as the Hanover County Black Heritage Society, the NAACP and former Governor Wilder, I have had no response from any of them.
I have attempted to have at least one letter to the editor printed in three different newspapers which states:
"It is interesting to note the number of memorials and museums being established to remember slaves and slavery around the nation. I am only astounded that there is more interest in building memorials and museums for these slaves than protecting the final resting places of slaves and their descendants, as is the case in Hanover County in the Pebble Creek
subdivision. What a sincere tribute it would be if the final resting places were protected and treated with the respect they do deserve."
To date, it has not printed in any of the three newspapers.
I am astounded that any privately-owned cemetery, regardless of race, is being allowed to be handled with such disrespect and disregard. It is heart-breaking. I only hope that our Virginia lawmakers will follow-up on promises to review these present Codes and see to it that NO ONE's gravesite is EVER handled in this manner again.
To date, the slave cemetery has not been exhumed. Instead, in lies on three parcels of privately owned properties in the Pebble Creek subdivision and partially in the roadway. I am amazed that VDOT was allowed to construct a cul-de-sac on graves as well. I have made attempts to reach Governor Warner about this, but have yet to hear back from his office on this matter.
All I can suggest at this point is that we continue to fight for what is right and for those who can not speak for themselves. It matters not to me what race or status quo these people are. EVERYONE deserves a respectful final resting place.