PAUL GREEN MULTIMEDIA AWARDED BLOG

Brenda Kay Ledford received the Paul Green Multimedia Award from North Carolina Society of Historians for this blog.  An award's ceremony was held in the Hilton Garden Inn at Mooresville, NC on Saturday, October 20, 2012.

FREEDOM ISN"T FREE

Freedom isn't free.  A great price has been paid for our liberty.  Countless soldiers throughout our American history have paid the ultimate sacrifice for the freedom we enjoy.

Everything may not be perfect in America, but we still are very blesssed to live in the greatest nation on earth.  We should never take for granted our liberty.

I also think I live in the greatest place in America--Clay County, North Carolina.  It's not perfect, but about as close to heaven as you could get.  We are surrounded by beauty.  Everywhere you look, you'll see the splendor of God's creation: Blue Ridge Mountains, wildflowers dotting the woodland, Lake Chatuge, deer, countless birds, and trout leaping in ice cold streams fed by thundering waterfalls.  No wonder so many people are moving to our lovely land.

I am blessed to be a native of this little county.  My ancestors came from Scotland and Ireland to settle this region in the 1700's.  It is believed that the Ledford brothers came from England and that's how Scrougetown got its name:  There were so many Ledford's that they were scrouging everyone out.

On Saturday, October 13, 2012 a Grave Marking Ceremony will be held at the old Ledford's Cemetery in Clay County. Peter G. Ledford who was a soldier in the Revolutionary War is buried here.  The event will celebrate his life and the price he paid for our nation's liberty.

It is believed that Peter was the brother of my great-great grandfather, Thomas Ledford.  I think I'm related to Peter Ledford because Thomas is buried here, too.  Also, I recall my father, James Ronda Ledford, said that Uncle Peter gave the land for the old Ledford's cemetery.

Peter G. Ledford served in the Revolutionary War. He and countless soldiers have fought for our liberty.  We must not take this freedom for granted.  It's a privilege and responsibility to vote.  As our national election approaches, I hope all eligible Americans will exercise their freedom to elect public officals. Let feedom ring!