Cast aside all the myths and stereotypes you might have heard about southerners; most of our Graham County locals are good neighbors.
Sure, we have some bad ones, but even one of Christ’s disciples was a “bad guy.”
Having been born and lived all my life in Graham County, I know of countless times people have come to the aid of someone in need or contributed in some way to a worthy cause.
On the morning of July 27, 1998, a small child was missing from his home in the Stecoah area of Graham County. Members of the Stecoah and Graham County Rescue Squads – among others – searched until the young child was found unharmed. In its coverage, The Graham Star had an editorial that called the event “Graham County at its best: together.”
On the morning of Christmas Eve of 2008, a search began for an elderly man from Madisonville, Tenn. after his wrecked car was found on the Cherohala Skyway in Graham County. Searchers looked all that day and night.
That night, searchers encountered heavy rain, high winds, thunderstorms, sleet and thick fog that limited visibility to a few feet. The search continued Christmas Day. As search and rescue coordinator, I wasn’t sure how much of a turnout we would have on Christmas Day, as several of the searchers had young children. More searchers showed up that day than the day before.
I was concerned as to how to feed the searchers as stores and restaurants were closed for Christmas. I sent a message on the squad radio for someone to pick up some crackers or sandwich material if they could find it. Apparently people heard that on their scanners because an abundance of food began arriving at the command post at Hooper Bald. There was hot soup – which hit the spot – as did those wonderful pies baked by Christine McGuire Jackson, which disappeared not long after their arrival.
In October of 2015, a service was held to dedicate a memorial to the nine U.S. Air Force members killed in a plane crash on John’s Knob. The event was to be held just off the Cherohala Skyway. Several locals had been involved for some time in bringing this event about, including donating the use of their property where the memorial was erected.
Hoot Gibbs and I attended the memorial. We arrived prior to the start of the ceremony and parked on a hilltop overlooking the memorial area. Hoot wondered what the meal plan was as it was approaching midday. I replied, “It looks like it is covered; I see Cedar Cliff folks down there,” meaning Cedar Cliff Baptist Church members, who had tables set up and loaded with an abundance of food.
All parts of Graham County are good to help, but I have noticed that this is especially true of people living in the Snowbird and West Buffalo areas of our county. Being brought into this world on Atoah – just across the ride from Snowbird – I am well aware of how they stick together and come out when there is a need.
Marshall McClung is a columnist for The Graham Star.