A NATIONAL TREASURE: Honor the Ground That Helped Build a Nation. Why New Trinity Cemetery Must Be Recognized During America’s 250th Anniversary.



A NATIONAL TREASURE: Honor the Ground That Helped Build a Nation. Why New Trinity Cemetery Must Be Recognized During America’s 250th Anniversary. By Pastor Kyev P. Tatum, Sr.

HALTOM CITY - As America approaches its 250th Anniversary, we stand at a defining moment—not just to celebrate the nation’s founding, but to tell the full truth about who built it, defended it, and sustained it.


That truth rests in the sacred soil of New Trinity Cemetery in Haltom City, Texas.


This is not just a cemetery.

It is a living archive of American courage, a resting place of overlooked patriots, and a national treasure awaiting rightful recognition.






A Legacy Written in Sacrifice



More than 500 Black veterans are buried at New Trinity Cemetery—men and women who served this nation in every major conflict, from the Civil War to the War on Terror.


They fought for a country that did not always fight for them.

They defended freedoms they were often denied.

Yet they served—with honor, courage, and unwavering commitment.


That legacy demands more than remembrance.

It demands recognition.






A Rare and Sacred Place



There are very few cemeteries in America like New Trinity—places where military service, community leadership, and cultural history converge in one sacred space.


This ground holds not only soldiers, but pioneers:


  • Dr. Riley A. Ransom, a pillar of leadership and progress
  • Dr. Veda Fielder, a trailblazer in education and community advancement
  • L.D. Livingston, Negro League baseball great, World War II veteran, and Harlem police officer
  • Technician Fifth Grade Florence Marie Rawls, Congressional Gold Medal recipient and member of the historic 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion—the only all-Black and Afro-Mexican women’s unit to serve overseas during World War II



These are not just names.

They are chapters of American history—stories that must be preserved, elevated, and honored.






The Purpose: From Sacred Ground to National Recognition



This is the primary purpose of this work:


To secure the designation of Historic New Trinity Cemetery as a National Historical Landmark for Black military veterans who served this nation in every war—from the Civil War to the War on Terror.


This is not simply about preservation.

This is about restoration, recognition, and rightful honor.


New Trinity represents a rare and powerful continuum of service—generations of Black Americans who answered the call of duty across centuries, often in the face of injustice at home. Their service forms an unbroken narrative of sacrifice that is central to the American story.


To designate New Trinity as a National Historical Landmark is to declare:


  • That Black military service is essential to American history
  • That these sacrifices will no longer be overlooked
  • That this sacred ground holds national significance







Why the 250th Anniversary Matters



The 250th Anniversary of America is not just a celebration—it is a moment of reflection and responsibility.


If we are to celebrate freedom, we must also honor those who made that freedom possible—even when they were denied its full benefits.


This is the time to ensure that our national story is told in full.


This is the time to lift up places like New Trinity—not as footnotes, but as foundations.






From Overlooked to Overdue



For too long, New Trinity Cemetery has remained a hidden treasure—sustained by community care, yet lacking the national recognition it deserves.


But the truth is undeniable:


You cannot tell the story of America without telling the story of these men and women.

And you cannot tell their story without honoring the ground where they rest.






A Call to the Nation



This is our moment.


To preserve.

To proclaim.

To protect.


Let us declare what should have been declared long ago:


New Trinity Cemetery is a National Treasure.


And let us work—together—to secure its rightful place as a National Historical Landmark, honoring Black military veterans who served this nation across every generation.


Because when we honor them,

we honor the very best of America.





“We remember them not just for how they died, but for how they lived—and how they lifted a nation.”







About the Author



Pastor Kyev P. Tatum, Sr. is a Fort Worth-based pastor, community leader, and historian committed to faith, justice, and the preservation of African American history. As Senior Pastor of New Mount Rose Missionary Baptist Church, he leads transformative initiatives in education, workforce development, and community restoration in the historic 76104 neighborhood.


Pastor Tatum has emerged as a leading voice in honoring Black military service, particularly through his research and advocacy surrounding the more than 500 veterans buried at Historic New Trinity Cemetery. Through memorial events, public storytelling, and strategic partnerships with local and national organizations, he is working to elevate the cemetery to its rightful status as a site of national historical significance.


His work stands at the intersection of faith, history, and action—ensuring that the legacy of those who served is not only remembered, but recognized, respected, and preserved for generations to come.


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