October 27th brought a large gathering of Confederate and citizens alike to the courthouse lawn of Rusk for the rededication of the Confederate Monument. The monument was originally dedicated on October 31, 1907 by the Confederate Veterans and the United Daughters of the Confederacy, to the memory of Cherokee County's Confederate dead. Their efforts were realized through fund-raising by the UDC. "In 1940, construction began on our present courthouse which necesitated the movement of the monument to its present site. When the monument was moved the soldier's rifle and bayonet scabbard were broken. The monument has stood for the next 60 years in a state of ruin and continued deterioration," said John Garbutt of the Texas Parks and Wildlife. In April of 2001, after four years of efforts to collect money for the restoration, the Statue was finally restored. Various camps of the SCV, the UDC and generous donations from the Texas Historical Foundation made this a reality. Our camp had the honor of presenting and posting the colors for the day. Ken McClure did a great job of putting together the color guard on such short notice, he should be commended for his efforts. Scott Bell of the Douglas Camp gave the opening remarks with fellow compatriot Charles Nunnally giving the Invocation. Boy Scout Troop 405, of Rusk, led the ceremony with the pledges to the Flags, while Laura Boone of the Children of the Confederacy led the salute to the Confederate Flag. There were several speakers, including: Texas Division Commander Steve Lucas, Deena Harrison Dark, Eva Long and Carolyn McCall of the UDC, Victoria Tagliabue of the Children of the Confederacy, Lynda Gramling representing her husband Paul Gramling, the Commander of the Trans-Mississippi, Terry Guinn of the Cherokee County Historical Commission and Jim Cromwell representing Mayor Emmett Whitehead presented a proclamation from the Mayor and Chris Hoover accepted. Everyone was treated to some good 'ol southern singing with the group "The Majors." If you ever get to see this quartet, you'll be in for a treat as they sing a great rendition of "Dixie." The address by John Garbutt gave everyone an understanding abut the statue and its history. After 60 years the statue was formally rededicated and unveiled with a new rifle and bayonet sheath. With the rearming of the statue, we are reminded of the sacrifice our ancestors gave for our country, not only for the Confederacy, but also other conflicts such as boht World Wars, Korea, Vietnam and more recently the Gulf War. For this statue is used by the city and the VFW during Memorial Day, and Veterans Day ceremonies, to honor all veterans of any conflict or campaign the United States or the Confederacy has fought in. And rightly so, the 19th Texas Volunteer Infantry, led by Barney Hilburn, fired a volley in honor of those for who the monument was originally erected for. A special thanks goes out to John Garbutt and Scott Bell for spearheading the effort to restore the monument, and also to Martha Neely of the Rusk Main Street Program for her efforts and help with this project. For all who attended we thank you for coming and supporting this special occasion. |
Rededication Of Restored Confederate Statue Cherokee County Courthouse Lawn Rusk, Texas October 27, 2001 |
Special thanks to: Scott Bell and John Garbutt Rusk Main Street Program, Martha Neely and Alicia Price Joseph L. Hogg Camp 972 James P. Douglas Camp 124 Moses M. Buckner Chapter 2442 UDC Texas Division Children of Confederaccy Texas division United Daughters Of Confederacy Austin Bank - Rusk Lynda Gramling Will Henry Jordan Texas Historical Foundation - Jeanne Blocker Memorial Fund Boy Scout Troop 405 - Rusk Veterans of Foreign Wars - Rusk Texas Parks and Wildlife Rusk Garden Club Jeremy Driver City of Rusk |
October 27th brought a large gathering of Confederate and citizens alike to the courthouse lawn of Rusk for the rededication of the Confederate Monument. The monument was originally dedicated on October 31, 1907 by the Confederate Veterans and the United Daughters of the Confederacy, to the memory of Cherokee County's Confederate dead. Their efforts were realized through fund-raising by the UDC. "In 1940, construction began on our present courthouse which necesitated the movement of the monument to its present site. When the monument was moved the soldier's rifle and bayonet scabbard were broken. The monument has stood for the next 60 years in a state of ruin and continued deterioration," said John Garbutt of the Texas Parks and Wildlife. In April of 2001, after four years of efforts to collect money for the restoration, the Statue was finally restored. Various camps of the SCV, the UDC and generous donations from the Texas Historical Foundation made this a reality. Our camp had the honor of presenting and posting the colors for the day. Ken McClure did a great job of putting together the color guard on such short notice, he should be commended for his efforts. Scott Bell of the Douglas Camp gave the opening remarks with fellow compatriot Charles Nunnally giving the Invocation. Boy Scout Troop 405, of Rusk, led the ceremony with the pledges to the Flags, while Laura Boone of the Children of the Confederacy led the salute to the Confederate Flag. There were several speakers, including: Texas Division Commander Steve Lucas, Deena Harrison Dark, Eva Long and Carolyn McCall of the UDC, Victoria Tagliabue of the Children of the Confederacy, Lynda Gramling representing her husband Paul Gramling, the Commander of the Trans-Mississippi, Terry Guinn of the Cherokee County Historical Commission and Jim Cromwell representing Mayor Emmett Whitehead presented a proclamation from the Mayor and Chris Hoover accepted. Everyone was treated to some good 'ol southern singing with the group "The Majors." If you ever get to see this quartet, you'll be in for a treat as they sing a great rendition of "Dixie." The address by John Garbutt gave everyone an understanding abut the statue and its history. After 60 years the statue was formally rededicated and unveiled with a new rifle and bayonet sheath. With the rearming of the statue, we are reminded of the sacrifice our ancestors gave for our country, not only for the Confederacy, but also other conflicts such as boht World Wars, Korea, Vietnam and more recently the Gulf War. For this statue is used by the city and the VFW during Memorial Day, and Veterans Day ceremonies, to honor all veterans of any conflict or campaign the United States or the Confederacy has fought in. And rightly so, the 19th Texas Volunteer Infantry, led by Barney Hilburn, fired a volley in honor of those for who the monument was originally erected for. A special thanks goes out to John Garbutt and Scott Bell for spearheading the effort to restore the monument, and also to Martha Neely of the Rusk Main Street Program for her efforts and help with this project. For all who attended we thank you for coming and supporting this special occasion. |
Texas Division Commander Steve Lucas |
Scott Bell of the James P. Douglas Camp |
Serving on the Color Squad: Ken McClure, Jimmy Campbell, General Hartless, Doyle Creel, and Jerry McClure. |
The Majors |
19th Texas Volunteer Infantry |
Boy Scout Troop 405 Rusk, Texas |
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