January 25th 2024.
In a recent report by NPR, concerns have arisen over the discovery of over 100 new graves at a Black cemetery located on MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Florida. The site was surveyed for two years and the results revealed 58 probable graves and 63 possible graves, with the search still ongoing. Lt. Laura Anderson shared that a team will be utilizing radars and cadaver dogs to thoroughly search the area for any additional graves. She emphasized the importance of not forgetting anyone who may have been laid to rest there. Further research and surveys are planned to continue until 2025.
This particular area of the base, known as the "clear zone," is required to remain free of any vertical structures in order to ensure the safety of aircrafts. It has been over three years since the possibility of an African American cemetery at MacDill was brought to light by base officials. They expressed a desire to work with the community on how best to honor those who were buried there. Lt. Anderson stated, "We know that there have been wrongdoings in the past, but we are committed to working together with our community members to make things right."
According to Tampa Bay Times, Hillsborough Circuit Judge Lisa Campbell, who is the granddaughter of Patrick and Reatha Williams, confirmed that one of her family members, a stillborn baby born in 1930, was buried at the cemetery. Judge Campbell believes that everyone, regardless of their background, should have the ability to visit their loved ones at any time. She expressed, "In any culture, it is expected that you would be able to come and pay respects to your loved ones at a cemetery." Unfortunately, this has not been possible for those buried at this particular cemetery since 1938 and 1939 when the base was being built. The cemetery was destroyed during this time, with headstones removed, but the bodies still remain beneath the undeveloped land.
Yvette Lewis, president of the NAACP Hillsborough County branch, commended the base for their efforts thus far but believes that more must be done. She stated, "No one is accusing the current administration or current residents of having any involvement in the destruction of the cemetery, but they do have a responsibility to make things right." Lewis emphasized the importance of having open and honest conversations, telling the story accurately, and properly memorializing those who were laid to rest at this cemetery.
The discovery of these forgotten gravesites has brought to light a painful and tragic part of history. It is crucial that the base and the community work together to honor and remember those who were buried at this cemetery. As the story continues to unfold, it is our responsibility to ensure that the truth is told and that these individuals are properly memorialized.
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