Monument to be unveiled Oct. 15

Ned Ray McWherter

The Ned R. McWherter Monument Commission has set Oct. 15 as the date for the unveiling and dedication of a bronze statue honoring the former governor. The event will take place at 11 a.m. on the south lawn of the Weakley County Courthouse in Dresden, Tenn. The public is invited to attend.  
“This will be a very memorable occasion and a chance for not only Weakley countians but all Tennesseans to show their appreciation to former Governor McWherter for all that he has done,” said commission chairman Terry J. Oliver.
Oliver says the date was selected because Oct. 15 happens to be the birthday of McWherter, who will be turning 80 this year.
“We’ve had tremendous support for what we’re doing, so we want everyone to come out and to help us celebrate a truly remarkable man and a great Tennessean.”
Among the special guests scheduled to participate in the dedication ceremony are Gov. Phil Bredesen, who will deliver the keynote address, and Con. John Tanner.
Opry star and Gleason, native Mike Snider and his daughter, Katie, will perform the national anthem.  
The larger-than-life bronze statue was sculpted by renowned Tennessee artist Russ Faxon, who has also produced other notable works of art including Opryland’s statue of Minnie Pearl and Roy Acuff, and the Korean War Memorial and Chet Atkins statue, both located in downtown Nashville.
In keeping with McWherter’s request, no public funds were used in producing the monument that is to include a statue, a granite foundation and a small courtyard plaza.
More than $150,000 has been collected in private contributions to finance the project. The monument will be maintained by the Tennessee FFA Foundation and local high school agricultural students.
McWherter is a former president of the Dresden FFA Chapter and a longtime supporter of the agricultural education organization.  
For more information about the monument project, visit www.nedraymonument.com.

WCP 10.05.10