Smith-Wade-El to host Black veterans event Nov. 11

Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus    October 29, 2025 | 1:57 PM

LANCASTER, Oct. 29 – State Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El, D-Lancaster, will host “Celebrating Black Veterans: Bound by Courage, Lifted by Legacy: Honoring Our Black Veterans Who Paved the Way” from 1 p.m. – 3 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 11 at Stevens Greenland Cemetery, 1300 S. Duke St. in Lancaster.

“As a proud Black Lancastrian, I am honored to lead this event recognizing our city’s often overlooked Black veterans who fought to protect American freedom and promote American ideals throughout the world, while facing discrimination in the service and at home,” Smith-Wade-El said. “This event will provide an opportunity to give our Black veterans their proper due, as true heroes of our great republic.”

Program schedule:

  • Introduction by Smith-Wade-El
  • Chaplain’s Invocation
  • J.P. McCaskey High School Choir
  • National Guard presents colors/J.P. McCaskey High School Band
  • Leroy Hopkins’s brief history of Lancaster’s Black veterans
  • Honorees to be recognized: Alvin Gantz, Casey Jones, Toria Butcher, Celest Leslie
  • McCaskey student essay
  • Roll call of names of those buried in cemetery
  • Taps played while colors lowered
  • Lunch

To register or inquire about the event, contact Smith-Wade-El’s office at 717-283-4218.