Area UDC dedicates marker

05-01-2008

On Saturday afternoon the Major General Patrick R. Cleburne Chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy held a ceremony to dedicate the historic marker recently erected by their Chapter. The marker on the front lawn of the Cleburne County Courthouse reads as follows: “Cleburne County was created December 6, 1866, and was named for Confederate Major General Patrick R. Cleburne. He was born March 17, 1828 in Ireland. He was the South’s highest-ranking foreign-born officer and one of the best of any nationality. General Cleburne was killed November 30, 1864, in the Battle of Franklin, Tennessee.” The ceremony began with Chapter President Lynda Lowery welcoming everyone and announcing the significance of the event. Patricia Harrington led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States and Salute to the Confederate Flag. Susan McCluskey led the singing of “Dixie”. Dr. Lowery thanked all four of the Cleburne County Commissioners for their support and financial contributions to the marker project and introduced those present: Joel Robinson, Dwight Willingham, and Bobby Brooks. Probate Judge Ryan Robertson addressed the group. In his remarks, he mentioned his own personal experiences of going to school and later being a teacher in Cleburne County without knowing much about the origin of the Cleburne name until he became Probate Judge. Larry Stephens, Director of the East Alabama History Museum in Heflin, gave an outstanding tribute to Patrick Cleburne. Rather than give a chronological report of Cleburne’s life, Stephens presented an inspiring talk about the General’s attributes of religious faith, humility, and courage. Susan McCluskey entertained with a musical tribute to Cleburne by singing “Bonnie Blue Flag” and “Wearing of the Gray”. Following the dedication of the marker, the UDC members and invited guests enjoyed refreshments.

RETURN TO TOP