The graves of 61 Civil War era veterans and three civilians were discovered two years ago at a construction site in Arizona. The remains were reentered at Southern Arizona Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Sierra Vista, Arizona.
On May 16, 2009 the caskets were escorted along their route by American Legion Riders, the Arizona Highway patrol, U. S. Border Patrol and several other patriotic groups. The Memorial ceremony honored 22 California volunteers who fought during the Civil War, and 39 regular Army troops who served at various times between 1866 and 1881. The remains included those of three Army Indian scouts and one unknown Civil War veteran from the U.S. Colored troops.
Soldiers from nearby Fort Huachuca helped carry the troops remains in their small U.S. flag draped coffins to the ceremonial staging area. Arizona’s official balladeer, Dolan Ellis sang “Amazing Grace” and Joe Joaquin said a prayer in his native Indian Language. The 4th Cavalry Regimental Band provided music for the memorial ceremony, which was hosted by the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War.
