Dear Forney Messenger,
Our Confederate Monument
My Northern Perspective In the northern city where I grew up, in a park across from the County Courthouse, stands a monument to the soldiers who fought and died during the Civil War. The monument consists of a private soldier standing at parade rest atop a pedestal. A local monument committee and the “GAR” Grand Army of the Republic, a consolidated Civil War Veterans organization placed and dedicated this monument in 1875. Battles listed on the monument include Gettysburg, Antietam, the Wilderness and others. This is a memorial to men who died horrible deaths, many never making it home to receive a proper burial.
In the southern town, the County Seat of the place I’ve called home for most of my adult life, stands a monument to the soldiers who fought and died during the Civil War. The monument consists of a private soldier standing atop a pedestal. A consolidated veteran’s organization “UCV” United Confederate Veterans placed and dedicated this monument. Many served in companies of the 3rd and 6th Texas Cavalry. They fought at Pea Ridge, 2nd Corinth, Iuka, Holly Springs and Hatchie Bridge. After The Battle of Franklin where Hiram Granbury and Pat Cleburne were killed, they served as reguard protection on the flight back from Tennessee. This also is a memorial to men who died horrible deaths, many never making it home to receive a proper burial.
Why do we plan to dishonor the memory of these soldiers who went to battle at the command of their state, fought for their constitution, their homes and firesides because someone wants it removed? Should we remove memorials to individual soldiers that returned and had a proper burial? Should we change the names of Terrell, Francis Ave. and Griffith St. because they are named for Civil War Officers or family members? Should Ables Springs be no more because James Ables was a Civil War veteran? Why deflect the burden of making a decision to remove the monument to a committee that appears to me to want the monument removed? Why not let the people of Kaufman County decide at the ballot box? Why not just leave it alone like the one in the northern city where I grew up?
George York
14062 Bar Ten Lane Mabank, TX 75147
903-747-0638
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