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<p>In the latter part of 1967 General Ramsay, Colonel James Perkins Sr. and Colonel Alphonso Semmes arranged a conference with State Senator William D. Baird in Wilson County, in regards to obtaining the State’s sanction.
After reviewing the matter Senator Baird indicated he would present the program to the Senate. The Senator noted he would confer with State Representative Jack B. Lowery in regards to presenting the measure to the House. This mission was accomplished in the Eight Fifth General Assembly of the State of Tennessee. The Joint Senate Resolution was approved February 21, 1968 and signed by Speaker of the Senate, the Honorable Frank Gorrell and by the Speaker of the House, the Honorable James Cummings.
Governor Buford Ellington approved the resolution with his signature February 16, 1968.
A copy of this resolution is included in this booklet.
The resolution spelled out the fact, as we requested, that this monument was to be built through voluntary funds… this is the way Americans would want it, particularly Tennesseans.
The reason is simple, this is the Volunteer State… let the monument be built with volunteer funds and in this manner also vindicate the State for its lateness in erecting our monument in the National Military Park at Gettysburg.
The Joint Senate Resolution number 69 designated the State Building Commission to act as agent for the State in approving a proper design of the monument. Liaison was established at this pint with Mr. Calyton Dekle, State Architect.
Mr. Dekle was most cooperative and helpful and through his professional contacts it would become possible to commission the World famous artist and sculptor Dr. Felix de Weldon to create the Tennessee monument.
A listing of Dr. de Weldon’s accomplishments appear in this booklet, but for the moment it is sufficient to know that he was the sculptor of the Iwo Jima Flag raising monument and the Alvin C. York monument.
On May 24, 1968, we were advised by William L Barry, Executive Assistant to Governor Ellington that the Governor had accepted the post as Honorary Chairman of the Department of War Memorials. Shortly after this, Mr. Barry accepted a post on the Department as Liaison officer to the Governor. Hon. Joe Carr, Secretary of State, later became a member of the Governors Honorary Staff and followed by his Assistant, Shirley Hassler.
With these advancements in mind it is important to know the three Tennessee regiments remained together in the Army of Northern Virginia throughout the war under the command of General Robert E. Lee and also they performed with distinction in every campaign.
They opened and closed the Battle of Gettysburg.
A history of the Tennessee regiments is included in this booklet supplemented by the Roster of each Regiment.</p>
<ul><li>Keywords: Gettysburg; Gettysburg National Military Park; Photography; monuments; memorials; virtual experience; battlefield</li></ul>
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