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DEAR EDITOR: There is a small patch of public land, perhaps a quarter of an acre, in the center of Emanuel County that was once its seat of government. A place integral to the lives of thousands of citizens past. A small patch of common ground that belongs to the corporate citizenship of our community. This place has long served as the spot where justice was upheld; where deeds were recorded and wills probated. A place where marriages took place; political speeches were made and where the protected freedoms of protests and demonstrations occurred. In short, a place where the very roots of our local American democracy were long nourished and brought into fruition. On this same spot, there is a monument erected by the VFW to honor the sacred memory of 118 young men of this county who died preserving the seemingly small bit of democratic freedoms that sprouted from this very patch of land. Inarguably, this monument is the single most significant object on that square. Even the historic building that remains (which now houses the Chamber of Commerce) pales in significance to those who veritably died for our freedom of commerce. Indeed, these patriots are our history. Our sacred history will always be remembered more for the sacrifices of people's lives than the longevity of buildings. While it may be true that the wheels of democracy which turned on the courthouse square seem so minor and insignificant compared to the larger sacrifices of democracy exhibited by the Civil Rights Movement or the squelching of the brutal tyranny of Nazism or, more recently, the silencing of Saddam Hussein, those 118 native sons nonetheless died even for the small bits of democratic processes that took place on that historic common ground. All 118 paid the highest price that can be asked of an American. The only higher price would be paid by the tears of 118 mothers who bore the pains of their births as well as endured the agonies of a thousand deaths - deaths for you and me. Gold Star Mothers all. Nameless, but remembered through the very life-blood of their heroic sons. True American patriots all. Much more than you and I in any of our frail attempts at "good citizenship". On this spot are also the names of seven (I believe) local law enforcement officers who valiantly died protecting us on the home front. Patriots all. What is a patriot? One who loves and defends his or her country and fellowcountrymen by risking his very life. The Bible teaches us that no greater love has a man than to lay down his life for friends (John 15). Surely, these 118 war veterans and seven lawmen honored on that hallowed spot of ground fit the bill of "our greatest patriots." Just ask any living veteran who has nearly met death fighting for democratic freedoms. Ask them who the real heroes are. The members of American Legion Post 103 have unanimously decided to humbly ask the County Commissioners to re-name the former courthouse square for the greatest of our native sons…those who never returned...as well as for the painfully patriotic sacrifice of their mothers, and for our local lawmen who patriotically met their fate defending our safety here at home. "Patriots Square." If anyone can think of a better name for that bit of land whereupon these patriots are eternally memorialized, I'm sure the hundreds of veterans in this county - military and law enforcement, and more importantly their mothers in heaven or the few still earthbound, could not possibly grasp the logic. Thank you for your kind attention to this important public concern. A paid advertisement elsewhere in this paper tells more of the story. ALBERT JONES Commander, Post 103
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