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Date Posted: Tuesday, May 06 2003, 09:48am
Author: Bob Looney
Subject: Ladonia -- Acton...a "Gray" Weekend!!

This past weekend was a big one for the Grays, as we made our presence known at three separate marker dedications. The first one, held this past Saturday, was in the Ladonia Cemetery, which is between Commerce and Honey Grove. The purpose of the ceremony, which was sponsored by Dallas Chapter 6, UDC, was to honor Pvt. Spencer Dillingham, Co. C, 22nd Texas Cavalry. Four descendents of Pvt.Willingham (four sisters)traveled from Kentucky, Indiana, Oklahoma, and Texas to attend this memorable event.

Part of the ceremony included presentation of a Taylor-pattern battleflag (the flag under which Pvt. Dillingham served) to the four sisters. The flag was made especially for this occasion by Sgt. Preston Furlow. In addition to the flag presentation, a very moving ceremony was conducted by members of the Grays honor guard. At the beginning of the ceremony, the presentation flag was placed at Pvt. Dillingham's grave, encased in a black sheath. Beside the flag, a musket, with fixed bayonet, was planted in the ground next to the masked colors. Following the salutes to the flags, some brief speeches, and placement of wreaths at the gravesite, the Taylor flag was removed from its case and unfurled. The flag was then removed from the staff and presented jointly to the four sisters.The Grays then fired a rifle salute.
After the salute, the Grays fell out, one at a time, and approached the musket that was planted in the ground. Each Gray, in turn, removed his black mourning band from his arm and attached it to the musket.
Following this portion of the ceremony, the ladies of the UDC, and descendents of Pvt. Willingham, held hands and sang Dixie. Everyone in attendance remarked how moving and inspiring the ceremony was, and how much we, the Grays, added to the dedication ceremony. The four sisters said that the Grays absolutely were the centerpiece of the event! They were pleased beyond words with our contribution to the ceremony honoring their ancestor!

Following the ceremony in Ladonia, the Grays adjourned a short distance away to the O'Conner cemetery, where the former Color Sgt. of the 9th Texas, Sgt. Festus O'Conner was honored with a brief ceremony, including a rifle salute, by members of the Grays.

But...the weekend was not over...not yet!!

On Sunday, the following day, the Grays showed up at the Acton Cemetery, between Cresson and Granbury, to participate in a dual ceremony. Of particular interest is the fact that Davy Crockett's second wife is buried in the Acton cemetery. Her grave is marked with a large,impressive monument, decorated with a large Texas star.
The SCV was dedicating a beautiful monument, located at the gate of the Acton cemetery, honoring all of the Confederate dead, especially those buried in the Acton cemetery. The Grays provided both a color guard and an honor guard. Following the dedication ceremony, the Grays fired a rifle salute. Everyone in attendance then moved to the interior of the cemetery for yet another dedication.
This dedication was sponsored by the Granbury Chapter of the UDC, and it was held in honor of Pvt. F.M. (Tobe) Brown, of the 29th Mississippi Infantry. He is the Confederate ancestor of Linda DeWeese of the Granbury Chapter, UDC. Again, short speeches were made, honoring Pvt. Brown, and again, the Grays provided the color guard and fired the rifle salute at the conclusion of the ceremony.

Everyone in attendance was impressed by the performance of the Grays and grateful for our participation. Once again, we showed the public who we are and what we stand for, and we were very well received.

All told, it was a very gratifying experience for all of us in the Grays who participated in these events this past weekend. Thanks to all of you who helped make this another highly successful outing for the Grays!

Forward the colors!!

Honor & Serve

Bob Looney

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