Alabama News
Historian Richard Bailey organized the ceremony.
The Graetz are nationally recognized for their work during the civil rights movement.
The Graetz began their support for the civil rights movement during the Montgomery Bus Boycott.
They were the only white clergy to openly support the boycotts.
Robert was a white minister of a majority black Luthran church in Montgomery.
Their home was bombed by the KKK twice.
The Graetz passed way just three months apart. Jeannie Graetz was 90 years old, Reverend Robert Graetz was 92.
Recognize today the heroism and courage Liz Cheney will be honored for in the future
Jim Vickrey
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How does one know in real time a hero is in our midst? By hero I m not referring to an exemplar of physical courage, which is generally easy to recognize; I m referring to one who personifies moral courage. There s no sure way in the case of the latter, in real time.
The only sure way is to await the passage of time for the judgment of history to see if a statue or other concrete marker praising him or her for past acts is erected, which happens almost always after he or she has gone on to a heavenly or other reward when it is too late to do the exemplar any good. Look how long it took Montgomery to recognize white Bus Boycott heroes Bob and Jeannie Graetz.
Historical marker honoring the Graetz to be unveiled in Sunday ceremony
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The late Robert and Jeannie Graetz, who endured multiple attacks due to their support of the Montgomery Bus Boycott, will be honored Sunday during a ceremony to unveil a historic marker outside their home on Dunbar Street. It s something that is long overdue, historian Richard Bailey, who organized the ceremony, said. When we reflect on the contribution of Robert and Jeannie Gratez, we find a couple that dedicated their lives for the advancement of humanity, specifically civil rights.
The historical marker will be unveiled Sunday at 2 p.m. Mayor Steven Reed will open the ceremony and several speakers, including Attorney Fred Gray, will share their memories with the Graetz family. Bailey also compiled a 50-page souvenir program for those who attend. His hope, Bailey said, is to give people who were not in Montgomery or alive during the boycott a better understanding and appreciation for th