Published: December 20, 2008 01:24 pm      

12/21/2008 Letters to the Editor

Book about Cleburne intriguing



As one who follows history with interest, I have just finished reading a new book, “Cleburne, A Graphic Novel.”

This book reviews and relates the last year of the life of Gen. Patrick Ronayne Cleburne, the one and same individual our town — Cleburne, Texas — was named for.

The author, Justin Murphy, presented his story in a unique fashion that most will find intriguing, young and old alike.

Each time we turn the colorful pages of history depicted in comic-book style, it is reminiscent of one’s youth when the Sunday morning newspaper color comics were eagerly sought at the breakfast table.

He won. From the first reading, I could not lay the book down without finishing in one setting.

I am looking forward to other similar works on history as a means to promote history, which as most know, is greatly lacking in today’s learning institutions.

Today many citizens grow up, go to school, raise a family and work in their hometowns without ever knowing about their hometowns. Historians believe to care about their town one should know about it. This book for many can be the first insight as to the reasons our founding fathers chose to name a frontier settlement Cleburne on July 4, 1867.

I am looking forward to Jan. 10, when the author visits our town, a town that once was known east of the Mississippi River, as “Shantytown or Wagontown” until the magic name of Cleburne was chosen.



Jack Carlton

Cleburne





Thanks from Girl Scout Troop 2209



When five leaders of a few Girl Scout troops wanted to participate in this year’s Whistle Stop parade and our girls agreed, we wanted to honor our military with one float dedicated to freedom. Hence the “BLESSINGS OF FREEDOM” float was designed. We want to thank the military men and women who gave freely of their time to be on our float. Sgt. Charley Byford and Sgt. Chris O’Shea represented the Marines, and we especially want to thank Sgt. O’Shea for bringing the Marine Corps Hummer and allowing it to be a part of our display. We also want to thank Pvt. Holly Espinoza, who dropped everything the day of the parade to participate and represent the Army.

We would like to thank Kathy Ries and Shawn Walker for loaning the trailers for our floats as well as Shawn Walker and John Bennett for pulling the floats the night of the parade. And a huge thank you to Double B Boat and RV for allowing us to store our trailers on their secured premises. We especially want to thank DCA for allowing us to participate in the parade and in their help of providing a wonderful way for our girls to have a memorable Girl Scout Christmas.

On a personal note, I would like to thank Rachael, Dusti, Kim, Patti, Misty and all of our girls who participated. Without their hours of dedication, the floats would not have looked as great as they did for a bunch of amateurs and the experience definitely would not have been as enjoyable.



Becky Bennett

Girl Scout Troop 2209