ANNISTON ARMY DEPOT, Ala. -- Anniston Army Depot is home to most of the nation's combat vehicles, light and heavy artillery, the Department of Defense's primary small arms rebuild center and historical burial cemeteries.
Due to the complexity of its mission, the depot is a closed installation, but it is the stop for numerous official visitors and dignitaries.
On Monday, April 30, guests arrived to replace a marker on their family patriarch's grave, who'd passed away over 15 decades ago.
John Maddox was born in 1785 and was buried in 1857 in the Burns/Maddox cemetery, which was then private property. In 1941, that land was acquired by the government and the cemetery is now located in the depot's ammunition limited area.
Maddox accomplished much during his lifetime. He was one of the first settlers in Benton County, which later became Calhoun County, and was appointed as one of the county's first five commissioners. Additionally, he served with the Regiment of Calvary and Mounted Gunmen and fought in the War of 1812.
"We may never know who was laid to rest in some of these depressions we see around us," said the depot's sergeant major, Sgt. Maj. Jeffrey Marcon, as he addressed the visitors, including 13 members of the Maddox family. "But it is interesting to know that Mr. Maddox's family researched their genealogy to the depot and history is made clearer."
Maddox, his wife Rebecca, and son Benjamin are buried there. The cemetery contains the burials of approximately 150 individuals, including slaves, a fact once evidenced by glass fragments representing grave markers. Though the land is maintained by the Directorate of Public Works' Roads and Grounds Division, a severe thunderstorm uprooted several large trees years ago, causing damage to headstones.
"A few large markers were knocked over, including John Maddox's, and the fence line was destroyed," said Roderick Hardin, DPW facilities specialist. "Since that time, the markers were placed upright and fence was replaced. We knew where Maddox's marker belonged, but it was no longer on the initial stand."
Maddox's great, great, great grandson, Mike Maddox, who resides in Jefferson County, began tracing his genealogy in 1995. He and his mother came to the depot seven years ago and noticed the broken headstone near the foot marker. He was more than pleased to see it replaced.
"I've always been interested in my history," Mike said. "I traced our history through our male descendants and discovered that my ancestors came from Wales. The internet has made this easier for me. Most of us (family members) stay in touch through e-mail, but it is a good feeling to see so many here today to witness the unveiling of the new marker."
Accompanying the family were Alabama National Guard Chaplain Derek Smith, Calhoun County Commissioner Don Hudson, Gadsden State Professor Robert Lindley, Historian Frank Brickhouse, and Walter Jones and Mike Knight, who were instrumental in bringing all the parties together.
The depot maintains six burial grounds. New Bethel cemetery is located on Pelham Range and the McClellan Post and German-Italian POW cemeteries are located on the former Fort McClellan property. The remaining three cemeteries are located within the depot's fence lines -- Bynum, Burns and Wilbank cemeteries.
All the internments on the depot's property transpired before the government's procurement.
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