Dear Editor:

I would like to thank everyone who helped myself and my wife, Frances, with the Civil War Dedication. Without your help, we could not have successfully placed the monument at the Tyler County Courthouse in Middlebourne.

I know it was a very hot day, but many older people were there to witness the unveiling of the monument that means so much to them.

I would like to publicly thank the Blue Blazers and the American Legion for bringing 55 chairs to the courthouse. They were very much needed. They were overlooked at the dedication and I am truly sorry for that.

I would like the thank Ray Tarnecki for personally taking charge of seeing that the chairs were brought out. Also, Conley Wyatt for the beautiful prayers that he opened and closed with.

I want to thank those who donated money toward getting the monument – all who donated, small or big, are appreciated.

A special thanks to Mary Thomas, Gene Bell, the Tyler County Commission, The Tyler Star News (Jonay Corley, Judy Light and Heather Smith) for all the photographs, Amy Witschey, editor of The Wetzel Chronicle, Mike Myer, editor of The Wheeling Intelligencer, Britnee Tippins, Dave Wells, Barry Harter, Wayne Smith and the Tyler Consolidated High School Band, Arvilla Oil Field Services, Floral Expressions, Todd Tippins, Outlaw Vinyl Graphics, Allegheny Power Company, Mayor Gayla Fisher and the Town if Middlebourne, the Tyler County Sheriff’s Office, Myers Funeral Home and Eric McKeever, Rick Lemasters, Nancy Lemasters, Sistersville IGA, Witschey’s, Charles Smith, Roger Romine, Jim Oliver, Lorie Wilson and a very special thank you to the Civil War re-enactors and Abraham Licoln (Fritz Klein).

You all made this a very special day for hundreds of folks.

Thank you,

Bob and Frances Tippins