Veterans cemetery coming to Greene County
July 07, 2011 12:00 AM

Jane Moon
Staff Writer

SNOW HILL — American Legion Post 536 celebrated by gathering together this week on a grassy field that will one day be a final resting place for them and fellow veterans.

The group has worked for more than a year to bring the first veterans cemetery to Greene County. The site is a 2.7-acre lot on Harper Street in Snow Hill, next to St. James AME Zion Methodist Church.

Robert Britt, Post 536 member, said commanders from the three posts in the county will meet with county officials to discuss operational details.

Britt, who spearheaded the project, said the land was surveyed last week and has been turned over to the county.

Britt said he and other former soldiers deserve a place where they can be laid to rest after their time on earth is up.

“We have 1,600 veterans in Greene County, and there’s a need for (a veterans cemetery),” Britt said. “We are Greene County taxpayers … and we served this country for years. We think we’re entitled to that.”

Claude Reid, Post 536 member and World War II veteran, said the cemetery will help people remember the sacrifices soldiers have made for the county.

“There’s so many veterans that don’t have anywhere to be finalized at,” Reid said. “This is the place that America can show their concern for the people that fought for this country. Just don’t use us and kick us aside. Remember us by showing that you care.”

Post 536 member Anthony Darden said bringing the cemetery to Greene County would have been much more difficult without Britt’s dedication.

“I want to thank Mr. Britt because he took on this project. … He’s really been doing a whole lot of the legwork,” Darden said. “It was a project the unit took on when we formalized and he was like the head leader. He took it, he ran with it when everything had to be done.”

Britt said the hard work of veterans, county officials and the surveyor brought the into fruition and he looks forward to opening the cemetery that will honor his fellow soldiers.

“We just appreciate the county and surveyor for doing a great job,” Britt said. “We want everybody in the county to know it has been completed, so our 1,600 veterans will know it has been completed.”

Jane Moon can be reached at 252-559-1082 or jmoon@freedomenc.com.

Breakout:

Greene County’s first veterans cemetery:

- Harper Street, Snow Hill

- Next to St. James AME Zion Methodist Church

- Size: 2.7 acres