08 LC 34
1810
House
Resolution 1702
By:
Representative Sims of the
169th
A
RESOLUTION
Commending
the life and service of Cleon Baker McCranie and dedicating a bridge in his
memory; and for other purposes.
WHEREAS,
Cleon Baker McCranie was born on May 22, 1919, to his proud parents, George
Flowers McCranie, Jr., and Margaret Ellen Baker McCranie; and
WHEREAS,
he was married on March 4, 1950, to Alice Nell McCranie, and they had two
children, Margaret (Peggy) Ann McCranie and James (Jim) Baker McCranie;
and
WHEREAS,
he attended school at Willacoochee Elementary and Willacoochee High School and
furthered his education at Gordon Military College; and
WHEREAS,
his business background included tree farming, turpentine farming, and working
in a partnership with his brothers; and
WHEREAS,
Cleon was inducted into the United States Army on April 15, 1942, at Fort
McPherson, Georgia, and served during World War II; and
WHEREAS,
he served as a Technician 5th Grade in the Headquarters Battery of the 563rd
Field Artillery Battalion, and he was one of the first soldiers to cross the
Rhine River and enter Germany; and
WHEREAS,
Cleon told his son, Jim, that he once was the front man in a Jeep that led his
battalion through a German mine field; he was under the command of General
George S. Patton, and was ordered to "Just drive down that road until you get
blown up"; and
WHEREAS,
he received many citations during his service, including a WWII Victory Medal,
the Bronze Star, the American Theater Service Ribbon, the Good Conduct Medal,
and a Purple Heart; and
WHEREAS, he received an Honorable Discharge on December 22, 1945, and returned to his home and family where he lived a full life until he passed away on March 23, 1977.
WHEREAS, he received an Honorable Discharge on December 22, 1945, and returned to his home and family where he lived a full life until he passed away on March 23, 1977.
NOW,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA that the members of
this body commend the life and service of Cleon Baker McCranie and dedicate the
westbound lane of the westernmost bridge over the Alapaha River on SR 82 at the
Atkinson and Berrien County line as the Cleon Baker McCranie Memorial
Bridge.
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Transportation is authorized and
directed to erect and maintain appropriate signs dedicating the bridge named in
this resolution.
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized
and directed to transmit an appropriate copy of this resolution to the family of
Cleon Baker McCranie and the Department of Transportation.