MARYLAND
Bethel Cemetery
Bethel Cemetery in Cecil County, Maryland, is a small rural burial ground located near the Chesapeake City area in the southeastern part of the state. It serves primarily as a community and family cemetery rather than a large historic or publicly prominent site.
The cemetery reflects the agricultural and small-town character of the surrounding region, with many burial plots belonging to long-established local families who have lived in Cecil County for generations. In many cases, these family plots show the area’s history through multiple generations of the same surnames, highlighting its role as a local heritage site rather than a broader regional landmark.
Bethel Cemetery is typically modest in size and simply maintained, often cared for by family members, church groups, or local community efforts rather than a formal cemetery organization. It continues to represent the rural traditions of Maryland’s countryside, where small cemeteries were commonly established near churches or settlements to serve nearby residents.
Overall, Bethel Cemetery stands as a quiet reminder of the area’s local history, community ties, and long-standing family connections in Cecil County.
Baltimore National Cemetery
Baltimore National Cemetery is a historic U.S. national cemetery in southwest Baltimore, Maryland. Covering about 72 acres, it is the final resting place for tens of thousands of American veterans and their eligible family members.
The cemetery was established in 1936 to provide additional burial space for veterans, particularly those who served in World War I. The first burial took place that same year, and the cemetery was dedicated in 1941. During its construction, Works Progress Administration (WPA) workers helped landscape and develop the grounds.
The land has an even older history. It was once part of an 18th-century estate called Cloud Capped and has a connection to the War of 1812. People living on the property reportedly saw the British fleet approaching Baltimore in 1814 and warned the city. The British attack on Baltimore later inspired Francis Scott Key to write The Star-Spangled Banner.
The cemetery contains veterans from many periods of American history, including the Civil War era, Indian Wars, Spanish-American War, World War I, World War II, Korea, Vietnam, and later conflicts.
Notable burials include Laddie Stupka, a U.S. Navy Medal of Honor recipient, and Captain Horace Bivins, an African-American Buffalo Soldier of the 10th Cavalry and highly accomplished marksman. The cemetery also features a memorial honoring the 1st through 6th Marine Divisions of World War II.
What makes Baltimore National Cemetery special is the way it connects local history, military history, and American history in one place—from the colonial era and War of 1812 to the veterans of America's modern wars.
Soil MixingSoil collected from veteran resting places throughout the state is respectfully combined into a single blended collection, symbolizing the unity of all who served from that state.
Vial & State StarSoil collected from veteran resting places throughout the state is respectfully combined into a single blended collection, symbolizing the unity of all who served from that state.
