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Yancey County Names Field in Honor of George Lee Griffith History was made in Yancey County on June 5, 2010 as Yancey County officially named the baseball field at Lincoln Park in honor of George Lee Griffith, a member of the famous Burnsville Eagles, who helped to acquire the land and turn it into a baseball field. Members of Mr. Griffith's family along with Yancey County and Town of Burnsville officials attended the ceremony. The ceremony was opened by the pastor of Griffith Chapel Church, Reverend Bill Whiteside, who also delivered the invocation. The national anthem was performed by Ms. Roberta Whiteside and Mrs. Carol Foster delivered words from the family of George Lee Griffith, thanking both the county and the town for making this "field of dreams" a reality. Mayor Danny McIntosh told the crowd the reason behind the naming of the field in honor of George Lee Griffith and what he and the Burnsville Eagles meant to the community. After the remarks by the mayor George Lee Griffith's great-grandson, Joseph Shade, unveiled the sign honoring his great-grandfather's memory. To further commemorate the event Mr. Hubert Young, an original member of the Burnsville Eagles, threw out the first pitch on the newly named field. Mr. Young was joined for the festivities by Chester Henson, another member of the Burnsville Eagles. Yancey County Commissioners passed a resolution in February honoring George Lee Griffith and the Burnsville Eagles and renamed the baseball field at Lincoln Park in honor of Mr. Griffith. Commissioner Jerri Storie, who attended the event, stated, "It was great to be able to honor the memory of a man like George Lee Griffith who meant so much to his community." "I am so pleased to be able to honor George Lee Griffith and the Burnsville Eagles and to have their memory live on through this baseball field", added Commissioner Johnny Riddle, who also attended the ceremony.
Pictured (left to right): Commissioner Johnny Riddle, Pat Henson (Daughter of George Lee Griffith), Commissioner Jerri Storie, Mayor Danny McIntosh, Hubert Young (Member of the Burnsville Eagles), Chester Henson (Member of the Burnsville Eagles), Reverend Bill Whiteside, Rowena (Ronnie) Griffith (Daughter of George Lee Griffith), Bill Smith (Grandson of George Lee Griffith) |
