CVAHCS participates in honoring America’s First Veterans
CAMDEN, S.C. – Employees of the Columbia VA Health Care System (CVAHCS) participated in a three-day event honoring some of America’s First Veterans discovered in a local battlefield here. They were recently discovered in shallow graves and returned 243 years after the Battle of Camden.
First, a little background
Archaeologists with the South Carolina Institute of Archaeology and Anthropology(SCIAA) at the University of South Carolina have studied the Camden Battlefield for decades, but their most recent finding is the discovery of a lifetime.
The SCIAA team found the remains of 14 Revolutionary War Soldiers in seven different locations at the historic Camden Battlefield and Longleaf Pine Preserve, the site of a 1780 battle that claimed more lives than any other in the revolution.
Beginning in 2020, SCIAA archaeologists discovered the bodily remains and personal artifacts of several Soldiers who fought at the Battle of Camden buried in shallow graves. Last year, the South Carolina Battleground Preservation Trust and SCIAA finalized plans to excavate the site. Starting in 2022, September to early November, the archaeologists unearthed 14 individuals in seven graves, including one which held five bodies.
Once the graves were identified and assessed, a SCIAA team carefully removed the Soldiers’ remains to a lab for further study. Forensic anthropologists from the Richland County Coroner’s Office assisted in the final stages of removal, transport to the coroner's office and assisted in the forensic study of the remains. After the forensic data was collected, the Soldiers were reinterred in sealed vaults at the locations where they were found on the Camden Battlefield. South Carolina Battleground Trust, Historic Camden Foundation and Kershaw County conducted the reinternment activities April 20, 21 and 22.
Thirteen of the flag-draped coffins left the coroner’s office on April 20 and went to Fort Jackson for a ceremony with Active-Duty Soldiers. One of the Soldiers, the loyalist, was identified as being a part of the Catawba Nation and was returned to them for burial according to their traditions. The convoy of HUMVEES traveled by most public schools on the way to the Historic Camden Foundation where the bodies laid in repose in the Kershaw Cornwallis House.
On April 21, there were planned activities including a Revolution-era living history camp, a performance by the Fort Jackson band and demonstration by the U.S. Army Old Guard from Arlington National Cemetery.
Also on April 21, Shannon Stone, Voluntary Service Specialist and Wilfredo Solis, Transition Patient Advocate with the Freedom Team at CVAHCS attended The Camden Burials Project event for their project for VetServe2023. They provided water, respite and camaraderie in the Veterans Connect tent. Approximately 115 Veterans and their family members stopped by the tent.
“Many Veterans who stopped by the tent were Vietnam Veterans, Wil and I were honored to “welcome them home,” said Stone. “These men and women appreciated the welcome home because that was something not received when they did return home in the late 60’s and into the 70’s.”
Solis provided ‘Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act’ (PACT) information to approximately 50 Veterans, reservists and active military men and women. The PACT Act is a new law that expands VA health care and benefits for Veterans exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange, and other toxic substances.
On April 22, the Funeral Cortege was led by the U.S. Army Old Guard, followed by the 282nd Army Band from Fort Jackson. They were followed by horse-drawn caissons carrying the flag-draped remains of the 13 Soldiers. The last caisson carried the remains of the British Soldier, a member of the British 71st Regiment of Foot, Fraser’s Highlanders. The pallbearers for the Highlander being buried were from the 2nd Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland and followed their fallen comrade. Following the caissons were reenactment groups, Veteran Service Organizations and members of the Daughters and Sons of the American Revolution.
The cortege proceeded to the Bethesda Presbyterian Church in downtown Camden. The Funeral Service was held outdoors in front of Bethesda. Once the coffins and dignitaries were in place, there was a flyover from the U.S. Air Force 79th Fighter Squadron from the Shaw Air Force Base. The burial service is offered in an 18th century style and was a joint Anglican – Presbyterian service. Officiating was by Rev. William F. Owens, Jr., St. Mary Magdalene Anglican Church in Camden and Rev. Josie Holler, Williamsburg Presbyterian Church in Kingstree.
After the service at Bethesda, the 13 coffins were loaded onto the HUMVEEs for transport to the Battlefield site. The battlefield event was a burial honors ceremony where several dignitaries, including Governor Henry McMaster, offered comments. At the conclusion of remarks, the U.S. Army and the British Army rendered military honors for the soldiers to be buried. The flags were folded and presented to dignitaries from the U.S and Britain. There was a flyover by the South Carolina Army National Guard in Apache helicopters. The thirteen Soldiers are to be reinterred in the seven locations where they were found on the battlefield at a later date.
The Veteran Administration was created to render support to America’s Veterans from wartime and peacetime. Including the First American Veterans, 243 years later. There is no expiration date for providing that support.