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Confederate General Gets His Holiday

By Associated Press

Montgomery, AL – About 30 people gathered at the Confederate Monument on the state Capitol grounds to remember Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee on a state holiday in his honor.

Retired railroad worker Bill Anthony of Tallassee wore a gray Confederate uniform to the event Monday afternoon. Anthony said political correctness has overridden the fact that the third Monday in January is a dual state holiday for Lee and Martin Luther King Jr. He said King gets all the attention.

The Alabama commander of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, Robert Reames of Birmingham, called Lee ``the greatest American'' ever.

The Lee event was held about an hour after more than 1,500 people gathered on the Capitol steps to honor King.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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