Prattville Dragoons Sons of Confederate Veterans Camp 1524 Chaplain's Column for June - In the Depths of Despair, Seek God

 

Excerpted from Billy Graham Evangelical Association:

 

. . . when troubles come . . . sing his praises with much joy.

—PSALM 27: 5-6 (TLB)

Christians are not altogether immune from depression.

The fact is: the trend of events and the mounting tide of evil are enough to give one sobering thoughts—Christian or not. David, the sweet singer of Israel, was not always on top of his depression. Sometimes his glad song was turned into a depressive mourning. “My tears have been my meat day and night, while continually they say unto me, Where is thy God? Why art thou cast down, O my soul, and why art thou disquieted in me?” I find that the cure for depression is praise. In other words: be so busy counting your blessings, that thoughts of gloom and despair will be crowded out.

 

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Thank You, heavenly Father, for the Psalms which help me see that even in the depths David talked with You. Whatever my circumstances, I will learn to praise You.

AMEN.

Upcoming Events for Confederate Compatriots

 

Upcoming Events for Confederate Compatriots

 

Peach Jam Jubilee – Saturday, June 14^th , Dragoons booth, Hwy 31 and Ollie Ave., Clanton, AL

 

Prattville Independence Day Parade – Friday July 4^th, Dragoons entry, downtown Prattville

 

Prattville Cityfest –Saturday, July 19^th, Dragoons booth, Autuaga Cty fairgrounds

 

National Reunion - July 16-20^th, Houston, TX (For more information: https://scv130.com)

 

Dragoons Dixie Butt Fundraiser –Saturday, August 16th

SCV Camps Combine Efforts for Indian Hill Cemetery Cleanup

Samuel Reynolds & Allen Taunton from Tallassee Armory Guard Camp 1921 along with members of the Prattville Dragoons SCV Camp 1524 including Commander Grooms, Treasurer Dennis, and Quartermaster Myrick picked up two large loads of wood from Indian Hill Cemetery for the Battles for the Armory reenactment which is held in Tallassee in November.  The wood was left from the felling of a dead hickory tree at the cemetery.  Indian Hill Cemetery grounds maintenance is performed by Camp 1524 as part of the Alabama Division Guardian Program to care for the final resting place of Confederate Veterans.

Historic Confederate Flag Conservation by the Alabama Department of Archives and History (ADAH)

Sons of Confederate Veterans Camp 1524 Dragoon Tyrone Crowley attended a presentation on Flag Conservation made today at the Confederate Memorial Park Museum.  The speaker, Ryan Blocker of the Alabama Department of Archives and History (ADAH), was introduced by Park Director Calvin Chappelle.  She gave a brief history of ADAH, which was founded in 1901 by Thomas McAdory Owen, then proceeded to explain all the effort it takes to conserve the many flags from the War Between the States that are in the collection at the ADAH.  She then described in detail the conservation of three flags used by Alabama units during the War.  It was an interesting meeting and appreciated by all present, evidenced by the various questions during the Q&A that ended the event. 

Sons of Confederate Veterans Camp 1524 Prattville Dragoons Chaplain's Column for May 2025 - Rest and Rejuvenation in the Word of God and Reflections on Those Who Came Before Us

"I give thanks to Him who...granted me...strength and made me able (for) the ministry."

1 Timothy 1:12

 

Are you feeling burned out? Are you tired and want to give up? It could be work, church, family, SCV, or something else, or all the above? Feel worn out?

You are not alone. As a matter of fact, you are in the majority. Some interesting facts I picked up in my research. Did you know that people in the "helping professions" have a higher rate of drug abuse, alcoholism, and suicide than other professions? A major contributing factor is they only hear and see the troubles and negative side of people's lives.

How do we combat these statistics? "The Word for you Today" devotional offers some helpful hints:

 

1. Cultivate New Disciplines. Shut the door, turn off the television, and let your calls go to voicemail. Above all don't be surprised when troubles come, Jesus said they would (John 16:33).

2.Take time off regularly. And on your days off, do something different. As Spurgeon said, "If we do not rest, we shall break down." My Dad would go to the beach for a week each year to forget his problems.

3. Exercise and get enough sleep. Walk, swim, and breathe deeply. A difficult one in this era, but so necessary.

4. Learn to Relax. The opposite of 'fight or flight' syndrome. Rest for at least 20 minutes during the day with no distractions. Also, use it to spend time in prayer and conversation with God.

Some other helpful hints include to join a support group- God never intended for us to do this battle alone. Others include learning to say <NO!>, and finally, learn to remember that it's okay to have fun. I have met many in the SCV who could use a reminder on this one!

All of these are helpful hints and can be used to avoid the "burn-out," or the refreshing of the Spirit.

None of these, however, will replace time spent in the word with God and surrounding yourself with time of worship, with praise music, and daily prayer - for AT LEAST 15 minutes a day. Either in the morning or the evening. Make it a daily practice.

Finally, I would add one of my own. When I am feeling I cannot do it anymore or feel sorry for myself, I remind myself of the heroes in my life. There are many. My Dad, who, no matter how many times he got knocked down, he got back up. Even when Dementia was robbing him of everything, he kept his head up and kept fighting. I think of him everyday.

As far as the SCV goes, I can think of nobody ahead of H.K. Edgerton. HK was at the Confederate Memorial Service in Montgomery on April 26th. I have known HK for a long time. HK is a black man who wears a Confederate uniform and carries a Rebel Flag (please see picture). He's been called every imaginable racial slur, usually by his own people, but he never complains. He keeps going, he smiles and keeps moving forward.

Every time I see HK, I am re-energized. I have no excuses to not march forward with him.

We/ you need people in this life to inspire us and keep us above ground. They are sent by the Almighty to rally us.

 

Please know that I pray for this camp and each member and wish nothing but the blessings of peace and love in your life for many years to come.

Amen.

Prattville Dragoons Camp Meeting for May 2025 - Nullification

Camp 1524 Sons of Confederate Veterans held their monthly meeting on Thursday May 8th at the Masonic Lodge in downtown Prattville.  Commander Grooms was not able to attend so 1st Lt Spears ably stood in for him.  Larry also provided the opening Invocation and closing Benediction.  Following the pledge to the US flag and salutes to the Alabama state flag and Confederate Battle flag, the SCV Charge was recited by Lt Commander Spears.  A special presentation, a Brigade Recognition Award  was made by Larry for Wayne Sutherland who completed  very long service as the camp's Adjutant.  A brief report on recent activities was made by attendees including the Confederate Memorial Day programs and the spring picnic at Confederate Memorial Park.  Upcoming events and dates were then enumerated.  

The guest speaker was Editor Emeritus of the Alabama Confederate magazine and frequent columnist for the Alabama Gazette, John M. Taylor provided a presentation on Nullification. John began his discussion stating that this is not the country we were raised in where local radio stations would come on the air playing the Star Spangled Banner and sign off at night playing Dixie. John offered a definition of nullification as the right of the state to nullify federal legislation which is in violation of the Constitution. The states predated the United States government and voluntarily formed a Union preserving states' sovereignty and rights of secession and nullifcation. Jefferson in the Kentucky Resolution and Madison in the Virginia Resolution of 1798 in response to the Alien and Sedition Acts which made it against the law to criticize the federal government or the President, which was signed into law by John Adams, argued for this principle of nullification.  The Sedition Act was an abomination and direct threat to constitutional freedom of speech. 

During the Viginia Ratifying Conference of 1788, Patrick Henry and Jefferson had warned of an all powerful central federal governement.  Statists can't fathom the idea of a limited central government, including wanting military enforcement.  Frank Zappa called the federal government the entertainment arm of the military-industrial complex. Jefferson and the libertarians believe that if teh federal governement overstepped their authority, any such laws would be unenforceable.  Nullification sought to keep the Union together whereas the concept of secession allows seperation and dissolution. 

The Tariff of Abominations of 1828 was met by fierce opposition and John C. Calhoun argued for nullification of this legislation.  In response, President Andrew Jackson had a use of force bill passed for the military to collect these tariffs.  But cooler heads prevailed and a compromise was struck in 1833 and South Carolina repealed its Ordinance of Nullification refusing the Tariff. The supremacy clause of the Constitution is often cited as proof nullification is invalid but Article 1 Section 8 limits the federal governments authority. Any matter settled by force or that threat is not settled so the concept of nullification and secession is not settled.  The War for Southern Independence was a war for Northern bankers demanding continued tariff revenue. 

The Treaty of Paris of 1783 and the Articles of Confederation say states have sovereignty, that the states enjoy such if they are able to retain it as the Articles maintain. Even Alexander Hamilton a staunch federalist, stated that state's having their own constitutions infers sovereignty.  There are two definitions of nullification, one to wipe it off the books and secondly, to make the law unenforceable.  State and local governments are often the enforcement bodies of federal laws so such unconstitutional laws can be practically nullified. 

Lord Acton in his correspondence with Robert E. Lee after the War said state sovereignty was what kept the federal government in check. More and more it is clear why our Revolutionary and Confederate ancestors seceded because of the consolidation of power into a central government authority. The US came into being thru secession - such a concept is fundamentally American and patriotic. Jefferson warned that the federal government can not be the determinant of the limits to its own power.  Today with the attacks on free speech, gun ownership and confiscatory taxation, we need to derial the authoritarian regime/federal government. 

Upcoming Events for Confederate Compatriots

                                    Upcoming Events for Confederate Compatriots

 

 

Dragoons Camp Meeting – at Prattville Masonic Lodge on Thursday May 8^th at 6:45pm

 

Division Reunion – Friday and Saturday, June 6-7^th - Athens, AL

 

Prattville Independence Day Parade – Friday July 4^th, downtown Prattville

 

Prattville Cityfest –Saturday,  July 19^th, fairgrounds

 

National Reunion - July 16-20^th, Houston, TX (For more information: https://scv130.com)

 

Dragoons Dixie Butt Fundraiser –Saturday, August 16th