Prattville Dragoons January 2013 Camp Meeting Outstanding

The Prattville Dragoons held their monthly camp meeting at the Shoneys on Cobbs Ford Rd in Prattville on Thursday January 10th at 7pm.  This proved to be an outstanding enjoyable evening of fellowship and education. Commander Chris Booth was not able to attend so 1st Lt Harold Grooms led the meeting.  After the invocation by Chaplain Tom Snowden and pledges to the flags, there was a recognition of the passing of member Henry Owen Gober, a Real Son of a Confederate Veteran.  Past Commander Larry Spears introduced his grandson and passed around a photograph of Mr. Gober with Nathan and he recalled that Henry always said he was proud to be the son of a Confederate veteran.  He also said that soon after the I-65 flag was raised, Mr. Gober told him, "Keep her flyin'!"  Joe Smith was sworn in as the newest Prattville Dragoon and there was a round of applause to greet him.  Dr. Brandon Beck was the guest speaker and he did a wonderful job of entertaining and educating us on General Nathan B. Forrest and the Battle of Okolona.  Dr. Beck is the author of numerous books and he brought along copies of "Third Alabama", "Battle of Okolona" and "Battle of Holly Springs".  Dr. Beck is from Columbus, Miss. and is the Director of the Civil War Institute at Shenandoah University and he explained the endowment of the Institute as a preface to his discussion saying he believes education is the key to heritage defense.  He pointed out that this was evidenced by General Robert E. Lee serving as President of what is now Washington-Lee University and General Stephen D. Lee serving as President of what is now Mississippi State University.  See the following blog post here for an accounting of the Battle of Okolona as presented by Dr. Brandon Beck at the Dragoons camp meeting.