RICHMOND, Va. — Following vandalism reported at Confederate monuments around Richmond, and the South, a group of Civil War reenactors has planned to stand guard at Richmond’s Hollywood Cemetery this weekend. In addition to the final resting places of United States presidents James Monroe and John Tyler, the cemetery is also where president of the Confederate States of America Jefferson Davis and his family are buried. Hollywood Cemetery also has a large monument for 18,000 Confederate soldiers buried there.
Reenactor Damion Brooks said he was unaware of an specific threat against the Confederate graves at Hollywood Cemetery.
“We are doing this because we are outraged that the ‘equality’ battle is still an issue in today’s society. Removing the rebel flag meant more than just a symbol to us. That flag was an icon and a reminder what our ancestors fought for and died for on the battlefield,” Brooks said. “We’d like to educate the public what they are doing when they support removing the flag and how much it offends us to vandalize the statues. Things like this will continue to happen if nobody fights against it. That’s where we come in.”
Brooks said he and other reenactors will perform drills and honor the fallen men from the battle of Gettysburg buried at Hollywood Cemetery.
“We will be wearing our gear which does include a musket and the cemetery is aware,” Brooks said.
The cemetery’s level of awareness about the weekend’s planned activities could not yet be confirmed as a message left for cemetery officials has not yet been returned.