Dozens of volunteers from the American Legion work to clean up Greenwood Cemetery. The cemetery in Louisville is an historic African American cemetery and the final resting place for more than 800 Black veterans. The cemetery had been previously cited by the city for tall grass, weeds and poor upkeep. Volunteers from The American Legion Family and Greenwood Cemetery Community Partners participated. Aug 28, 2026 (Michael Clevenger/Courier Journal)
Dozens of volunteers from the American Legion work to clean up Greenwood Cemetery. The cemetery in Louisville is an historic African American cemetery and the final resting place for more than 800 Black veterans. The cemetery had been previously cited by the city for tall grass, weeds and poor upkeep. Volunteers from The American Legion Family and Greenwood Cemetery Community Partners participated. Aug 28, 2026 (Michael Clevenger/Courier Journal)
Dozens of volunteers from the American Legion work to clean up Greenwood Cemetery. The cemetery in Louisville is an historic African American cemetery and the final resting place for more than 800 Black veterans. The cemetery had been previously cited by the city for tall grass, weeds and poor upkeep. Volunteers from The American Legion Family and Greenwood Cemetery Community Partners participated. Aug 28, 2026 (Michael Clevenger/Courier Journal)
Dozens of volunteers from the American Legion work to clean up Greenwood Cemetery. The cemetery in Louisville is an historic African American cemetery and the final resting place for more than 800 Black veterans. The cemetery had been previously cited by the city for tall grass, weeds and poor upkeep. Volunteers from The American Legion Family and Greenwood Cemetery Community Partners participated. Aug 28, 2026 (Michael Clevenger/Courier Journal)
Reverend Fred Chandler salutes as Dozens of volunteers from the American Legion salute and put their hands over their hearts during the Star Spangled Banner and as the American flag is raised at Greenwood Cemetery. Chandler is with New Covenant Baptist Church across the street from the cemetery. The cemetery in Louisville is an historic African American cemetery and the final resting place for more than 800 Black veterans. The cemetery had been previously cited by the city for tall grass, weeds and poor upkeep. Volunteers from The American Legion Family and Greenwood Cemetery Community Partners participated. Aug 28, 2026 (Michael Clevenger/Courier Journal)
Reverend Fred Chandler salutes as Dozens of volunteers from the American Legion salute and put their hands over their hearts during the Star Spangled Banner and as the American flag is raised at Greenwood Cemetery. Chandler is with New Covenant Baptist Church across the street from the cemetery. The cemetery in Louisville is an historic African American cemetery and the final resting place for more than 800 Black veterans. The cemetery had been previously cited by the city for tall grass, weeds and poor upkeep. Volunteers from The American Legion Family and Greenwood Cemetery Community Partners participated. Aug 28, 2026 (Michael Clevenger/Courier Journal)
Jeff Shontz, with Greenwood Cemetery, plays taps before dozens of American Legion volunteers help to clean up the cemetery. The cemetery in Louisville is an historic African American cemetery and the final resting place for more than 800 Black veterans. The cemetery had been previously cited by the city for tall grass, weeds and poor upkeep. Volunteers from The American Legion Family and Greenwood Cemetery Community Partners participated. Aug 28, 2026criss-cross (Michael Clevenger/Courier Journal)
Jeff Shontz, with Greenwood Cemetery, plays taps before dozens of American Legion volunteers help to clean up the cemetery. The cemetery in Louisville is an historic African American cemetery and the final resting place for more than 800 Black veterans. The cemetery had been previously cited by the city for tall grass, weeds and poor upkeep. Volunteers from The American Legion Family and Greenwood Cemetery Community Partners participated. Aug 28, 2026criss-cross (Michael Clevenger/Courier Journal)
Betty Jess, from Sleepy Eye, Minnesota, a 22-year Air Force veteran, was on of dozens of volunteers from the American Legion working to clean up Greenwood Cemetery. The cemetery in Louisville is an historic African American cemetery and the final resting place for more than 800 Black veterans. The cemetery had been previously cited by the city for tall grass, weeds and poor upkeep. Volunteers from The American Legion Family and Greenwood Cemetery Community Partners participated. Aug 28, 2026 (Michael Clevenger/Courier Journal)
Betty Jess, from Sleepy Eye, Minnesota, a 22-year Air Force veteran, was on of dozens of volunteers from the American Legion working to clean up Greenwood Cemetery. The cemetery in Louisville is an historic African American cemetery and the final resting place for more than 800 Black veterans. The cemetery had been previously cited by the city for tall grass, weeds and poor upkeep. Volunteers from The American Legion Family and Greenwood Cemetery Community Partners participated. Aug 28, 2026 (Michael Clevenger/Courier Journal)
The grave marker of a veteran is cleaned up at Greenwood Cemetery. The cemetery in Louisville is an historic African American cemetery and the final resting place for more than 800 Black veterans. The cemetery had been previously cited by the city for tall grass, weeds and poor upkeep. Volunteers from The American Legion Family and Greenwood Cemetery Community Partners participated. Aug 28, 2026 (Michael Clevenger/Courier Journal)
The grave marker of a veteran is cleaned up at Greenwood Cemetery. The cemetery in Louisville is an historic African American cemetery and the final resting place for more than 800 Black veterans. The cemetery had been previously cited by the city for tall grass, weeds and poor upkeep. Volunteers from The American Legion Family and Greenwood Cemetery Community Partners participated. Aug 28, 2026 (Michael Clevenger/Courier Journal)
Dozens of volunteers from the American Legion work to clean up Greenwood Cemetery. The cemetery in Louisville is an historic African American cemetery and the final resting place for more than 800 Black veterans. The cemetery had been previously cited by the city for tall grass, weeds and poor upkeep. Volunteers from The American Legion Family and Greenwood Cemetery Community Partners participated. Aug 28, 2026 (Michael Clevenger/Courier Journal)
Dozens of volunteers from the American Legion work to clean up Greenwood Cemetery. The cemetery in Louisville is an historic African American cemetery and the final resting place for more than 800 Black veterans. The cemetery had been previously cited by the city for tall grass, weeds and poor upkeep. Volunteers from The American Legion Family and Greenwood Cemetery Community Partners participated. Aug 28, 2026 (Michael Clevenger/Courier Journal)
Dozens of volunteers from the American Legion work to clean up Greenwood Cemetery. The cemetery in Louisville is an historic African American cemetery and the final resting place for more than 800 Black veterans. The cemetery had been previously cited by the city for tall grass, weeds and poor upkeep. Volunteers from The American Legion Family and Greenwood Cemetery Community Partners participated. Aug 28, 2026 (Michael Clevenger/Courier Journal)
Dozens of volunteers from the American Legion work to clean up Greenwood Cemetery. The cemetery in Louisville is an historic African American cemetery and the final resting place for more than 800 Black veterans. The cemetery had been previously cited by the city for tall grass, weeds and poor upkeep. Volunteers from The American Legion Family and Greenwood Cemetery Community Partners participated. Aug 28, 2026 (Michael Clevenger/Courier Journal)
Dozens of volunteers from the American Legion work to clean up Greenwood Cemetery. The cemetery in Louisville is an historic African American cemetery and the final resting place for more than 800 Black veterans. The cemetery had been previously cited by the city for tall grass, weeds and poor upkeep. Volunteers from The American Legion Family and Greenwood Cemetery Community Partners participated. Aug 28, 2026 (Michael Clevenger/Courier Journal)
Dozens of volunteers from the American Legion work to clean up Greenwood Cemetery. The cemetery in Louisville is an historic African American cemetery and the final resting place for more than 800 Black veterans. The cemetery had been previously cited by the city for tall grass, weeds and poor upkeep. Volunteers from The American Legion Family and Greenwood Cemetery Community Partners participated. Aug 28, 2026 (Michael Clevenger/Courier Journal)
Dozens of volunteers from the American Legion work to clean up Greenwood Cemetery. The cemetery in Louisville is an historic African American cemetery and the final resting place for more than 800 Black veterans. The cemetery had been previously cited by the city for tall grass, weeds and poor upkeep. Volunteers from The American Legion Family and Greenwood Cemetery Community Partners participated. Aug 28, 2026 (Michael Clevenger/Courier Journal)
Dozens of volunteers from the American Legion work to clean up Greenwood Cemetery. The cemetery in Louisville is an historic African American cemetery and the final resting place for more than 800 Black veterans. The cemetery had been previously cited by the city for tall grass, weeds and poor upkeep. Volunteers from The American Legion Family and Greenwood Cemetery Community Partners participated. Aug 28, 2026 (Michael Clevenger/Courier Journal)
Dozens of volunteers from the American Legion work to clean up Greenwood Cemetery. The cemetery in Louisville is an historic African American cemetery and the final resting place for more than 800 Black veterans. The cemetery had been previously cited by the city for tall grass, weeds and poor upkeep. Volunteers from The American Legion Family and Greenwood Cemetery Community Partners participated. Aug 28, 2026 (Michael Clevenger/Courier Journal)
Dozens of volunteers from the American Legion work to clean up Greenwood Cemetery. The cemetery in Louisville is an historic African American cemetery and the final resting place for more than 800 Black veterans. The cemetery had been previously cited by the city for tall grass, weeds and poor upkeep. Volunteers from The American Legion Family and Greenwood Cemetery Community Partners participated. Aug 28, 2026 (Michael Clevenger/Courier Journal)
Dozens of volunteers from the American Legion salute and put their hands over their hearts during the Star Spangled Banner and as the American flag is raised at Greenwood Cemetery. The cemetery in Louisville is an historic African American cemetery and the final resting place for more than 800 Black veterans. The cemetery had been previously cited by the city for tall grass, weeds and poor upkeep. Volunteers from The American Legion Family and Greenwood Cemetery Community Partners participated. Aug 28, 2026 (Michael Clevenger/Courier Journal)
Dozens of volunteers from the American Legion salute and put their hands over their hearts during the Star Spangled Banner and as the American flag is raised at Greenwood Cemetery. The cemetery in Louisville is an historic African American cemetery and the final resting place for more than 800 Black veterans. The cemetery had been previously cited by the city for tall grass, weeds and poor upkeep. Volunteers from The American Legion Family and Greenwood Cemetery Community Partners participated. Aug 28, 2026 (Michael Clevenger/Courier Journal)
Dozens of volunteers from the American Legion salute and put their hands over their hearts during the Star Spangled Banner and as the American flag is raised at Greenwood Cemetery. The cemetery in Louisville is an historic African American cemetery and the final resting place for more than 800 Black veterans. The cemetery had been previously cited by the city for tall grass, weeds and poor upkeep. Volunteers from The American Legion Family and Greenwood Cemetery Community Partners participated. Aug 28, 2026 (Michael Clevenger/Courier Journal)
Dozens of volunteers from the American Legion salute and put their hands over their hearts during the Star Spangled Banner and as the American flag is raised at Greenwood Cemetery. The cemetery in Louisville is an historic African American cemetery and the final resting place for more than 800 Black veterans. The cemetery had been previously cited by the city for tall grass, weeds and poor upkeep. Volunteers from The American Legion Family and Greenwood Cemetery Community Partners participated. Aug 28, 2026 (Michael Clevenger/Courier Journal)

Around 40 people gathered in the Chickasaw neighborhood the morning of Aug. 28 to help clean up the historic Greenwood Cemetery.

The volunteers were from The American Legion, a veteran's service organization hosting its 107th national convention in Louisville from Aug. 28 through Sept. 3. Their efforts at Greenwood Cemetery, a predominately Black cemetery that serves as the final resting place for more than 800 Black veterans, marked the organization's 12th year of hosting a community outreach day during its annual convention.

"This is something that we all like to do when we go to the national convention cities is to be able to give back to the community but also to be able to have the camaraderie that we have," American Legion Western Region Liaison Michele Steinmetz told the group of volunteers.

As part of the group's work, volunteers spent the morning performing landscaping work, including cutting grass, removing weeds and cleaning tombstones. Denise Rohan, an Army veteran who previously served as national commander of The American Legion, said she wanted to use her battery-operated trimmer to clean up vines along the trees.

Others in group were skilled at straightening delicate headstones in a way that prevents damage, said former American Legion Auxiliary National President Lisa Williamson. Volunteers, though, did not need any expertise to participate.

"I'm a Realtor at home. I don't do landscaping and working graveyards on the regular," Williamson said. "You just need to have a desire to give back and that's what this event is all about."

Rohan said the group likes to leave convention areas better than how they found them. Though the much of the convention is filled with meetings, volunteering is "relaxing" to them.

"It really does give us a chance to talk to people, talk to one another and get to know what's going on," she said. "It's a huge family reunion."

Rohan, who came from Wisconsin, said the group's efforts will help both Louisville's community as well as others across the country.

"Part of what we are all learning to take back to our communities is how to fix cemeteries up," she said.

Greenwood Cemetery, now controlled by the Kentucky Attorney General's Office, was previously cited by the Louisville Metro Government for having tall grass, weeds and poor upkeep. These issues, though, have affected the cemetery for decades.

Army veteran Mike King grew up half a mile away and has relatives buried at Greenwood Cemetery. He remembers it was "a beautiful, park-like" cemetery when he left with the military in the late 1960s. When he returned 30 years later, however, he was "shocked" to see the cemetery: The grass was high, people left trash and it was in "deplorable condition."

According to a 2016 Courier Journal report, Greenwood Cemetery largely closed to new burials in 1993 after fraudulent practices came to light by the previous owner, Louisville Crematories and Cemeteries, Inc. Greenwood Cemetery and Eastern Cemetery, which was owned by the same company, were put in receivership in 1989, and excavations found that around 80,000 people had been buried on land that was meant to hold 15,000.

Today, King serves as vice president of Greenwood Cemetery Community Partners, an organization dedicated to restoring the grounds. The group is made up of around 200 "off-and-on" volunteers who work on the land every Saturday.

King said when individuals were buried on top of one another, the cemetery's management removed the tombstones and resold the plots. The group, therefore, doesn't know exactly how many people are buried at Greenwood, though he estimated there are around 36,000.

"We know at another cemetery, there's about 40 veterans' stones that belong over here that we're going to put back in when we figure out where they go, and inside a garage, they pulled about 25," King said. "It was a mess, but we know they're in the ground."

For King, The American Legion volunteers' clean-up efforts honored the veterans buried at the cemetery and showed him those individuals have not been forgotten.

"Just getting some general cleanup is great," King said. "What's even more important to me … is to have everyone come down here, learn about this place, sing the National Anthem and salute because my heart goes out for all the veterans that are buried here who may not have gotten recognition before."

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: American Legion volunteers help clean up historic Greenwood Cemetery