Gen. Forrest's 191st Birthday Party at Fort Dixie

This past Saturday, July 28th, Butch and Pat Godwin's annual celebration of General Nathan Bedford Forrest's birthday was held at their home, affectionately named Fort Dixie near Selma.  Prattville Dragoons 2nd Lt Stuart Waldo, Comm. Officer Tyrone Crowley and wife Carol and, former Commander Wyatt Willis were in attendance as well as new Alabama Division Commander Gary Carlyle and hundreds of other Confederates. Dixie was sung with the Tallasee Armory Guards Camp 1921 playing to kick off the party.  A cannon salute followed which sent an impressive concussion wave back towards the crowd.  Then happy birthday was sung for Gen. Forrest and again, a cannon salute followed.  The Tallasee camp band played some great Southern and Confederate music.  An auction and raffle drawings were held and generated funds for the Nathan Bedford Forrest Monument Fund to replace the Forrest bust and redesign the memorial and Confederate Circle in the Selma Live Oak Cemetery.  Todd Kiscaden provided a discussion of the differences between Federalists and the Jeffersonian Democracy espousing state's rights and individual liberty.  He set up his Wall of Education which provided many historical quotes and facts regarding the Confederacy, secession, contrasting political systems including socialism and, the Federal Reserve.  Lt. Col. Tom McKinney as the keynote speaker gave a synopsis of his newest best seller, Jack Hinson's One Man War and autographed purchased copies. A watering hole provided tea, lemonade and, of course, water.  A watermelon stand provided delicious sliced ice cold watermelon.  And of course, after the keynote address and grace, a wonderful supper of fried catfish, hush puppies, potatoes, corn on the cob, mac-n-cheese, tomatoes and desserts was enjoyed by all.  A fitting celebration and tribute for this great Confederate cavalry officer.

           Butch and Pat enjoying the Tallasee Camp band.

          The new NBF Bust for the Confederate Circle in Selma.

  Pat showing off the birthday cake with the Tallasee Band singing Happy Birthday!

     The cannon salute following the singing of Dixie and Happy Birthday!

Col. McKinney gives his keynote speech for his book, "Tom Hinson's One Man War".