Woodlawn National Cemetery History buffs should be aware of the treasure trove of national and local history enshrined at Woodlawn Cemetery and the adjacent Woodlawn National Cemetery. Located in Elmira, NY, these combined cemeteries cradle the mortal remains of the earliest European settlers and have been in continuous use right up to the present. Within their boundaries you will find stories of Elmira, stories of our region, stories of our state and stories of our nation. I hardly know where to begin. Where to begin? Although it is not at the very beginning, I think the story behind the National Cemetery is the most moving and dramatic. By mid 1865 over 3,000 combatants of the American Civil War had been buried at this site and 90% of them had served in the Confederate forces! Elmira was home to a prisoner of war camp during the end game of our bloody family feud. Experiencing a 25% mortality rate from injuries, disease and exposure, the 12,000 prisoners died at a rate of about 10 a day while being held awaiting the unconditional surrender of the rebel forces. The Confederate dead were buried in chronological order of their death. The headstones line up with the precision that we have come to expect of military cemeteries. When you think of the rate that the dead were filling this space you realize that it must have been a process of digging trenches and filling them with coffins under harsh winter conditions. It could not have been easy and yet, each headstone meticulously identifies the death number, the name, the combat unit and the state for each prisoner buried here. These individuals were buried with such care and respect that the families of these men chose to leave them interred in Elmira rather than reburied in their home states. I’m sure this must be the only place in New York where you can find a monument placed by "The Daughters of the Confederacy." A poignant twist - An added poignancy to this saga is that the care and attention of these burial details came at the hands of John W. Jones. Jones was a former slave who had escaped to freedom and helped another 800 slaves escape through the underground railroad. A sexton at a local Baptist Church he was hired to care for the burial of the deceased prisoners. I find it profoundly moving to stand in the midst of his work, thinking of the forces that created this place and its implications for our nation. This alone makes visiting here worthwhile, but there’s more. The Confederate burial section comprises about 1/3 of the National Cemetery (and shrinking as more land has been acquired). That means that you can find veterans from every major conflict where American lives have been put at risk for national interest. Walking around gives you a feel for the price that has been paid for values and freedom that we often take for granted. Woodlawn Cemetery - Although Woodlawn Cemetery is adjacent to Woodlawn National Cemetery you have to "drive around the corner" to get to the entrance to the "other" cemetery. It’s easy to find, just follow the signs to Mark Twain’s grave. Yep, Samuel Clemens, a.k.a., Mark Twain is spending eternity here (his wife’s family is from Elmira). At his grave his surviving daughter placed a monument to her father and her husband. Sadly Mark Twain outlived two of his daughters and his wife. Other Woodlawn residents sought out frequently enough to have direction signs include: Ernie Davis, 1961 Heisman trophy winner whose professional football carrier and life were ended by leukemia; Hal Roach, director of thousands of Hollywood movies from the 1920’s through the 1940’s. Among his best known films were the Laurel and Hardy movies and "Our Gang" movies. Signs also will direct you to the final resting place of John Jones, the former slave who oversaw the burial of the Confederate prisoners at the National Cemetery. A monument commemorating his accomplishments has been placed by the SHS Diversity Group in 1997. If you look around, or stop in the main office and ask for help, you will find many others of note here: Col. John Hendy, who fought in the American Revolution is here; Thomas Beecher, an abolitionist and brother of Harriet Beecher Stowe, author of "Uncle Tom’s Cabin."; Lucia Robinson, governor of New York in the 1800’s; Generals from the Civil War; Eldridges (as in Eldridge Park); Arnots (as in Arnot Mall). Although Woodlawn Cemetery was established in 1858 there are graves that are even older. This is because a downtown Baptist Cemetery that predates Woodlawn was moved here. Whether your interest is historical, patriotic, esthetic, sociological or spiritual you will find it here in abundance. Directions - Take NY route 17 to Horseheads and get off at exit 52S which will put you on route 14 south. After a little over a mile you will come to the village of Elmira Heights, bear right on Oakwood Avenue as rt. 14 curves left (if you miss this just turn right at your next opportunity and then turn left on Oakwood after one block). Oakwood turns into Davis Street at the Elmira city line. After passing the Elmira Correctional Facility (roughly at the same location as the prison during the Civil War) you will see Woodlawn National Cemetery on your right. You can turn in at the gate and park. To get to the entrance of Woodlawn Cemetery just continue on Davis Street (past the Hal Roach memorial entrance gate because they keep it closed) take your first right and first right again (it’s easy because there are direction signs for Mark Twain’s grave). Experience it - a sacred place of local, regional and national significance. Maintained and cared for by a combination of private and public money and it’s just a short drive away. What a great place to live!