SCV RESPONSE TO GEORGIA GOVERNOR DEAL'S REMOVAL OF CONFEDERATE MEMORIAL DAY FROM THE STATE CALENDAR

(ATLANTA - August 7, 2015)  "Sensitivity" has become the camouflage for censorship in modern America. Current Governor Nathan Deal has moved to strip the reasons for two of Georgia's most significant holidays without explanation. But the reason can certainly be inferred: it is the mistaken belief that as an expression of sympathy, Georgia's history must be scrubbed in response to a criminal act in another state.      

The Governor's act is wrong on every level.

In April, 1861 Abraham Lincoln mobilized the largest army in American history up to that time to invade the South. The State of Georgia called forth her men of military age to resist the on-coming invasion. During the course of the War for Southern Independence, approximately 130,000 Georgians joined Georgia military units, fought valiantly and did their duty. An estimated 33,000 Georgia Veterans made the ultimate sacrifice and died, along with a countless number of Georgia civilians. A far greater number were wounded and maimed for life.

In the spring of 1866, the Ladies Memorial Association of Columbus, Georgia passed a resolution to set aside one day annually to memorialize the Confederate dead. The date for the holiday was April 26, the first anniversary of Confederate General Johnston's surrender to Federal General Sherman at Bennett Place, North Carolina. For many in the South, particularly in the east, that marked the official end of the War. In 1874, the Georgia General Assembly approved legislation adding as a new public holiday "The 26th day of April in each year - Confederate Memorial Day."

The disgraceful action taken by Governor Deal to remove the name of a State holiday that honors Georgia's veterans is repugnant to the Sons of Confederate Veterans. Under current U.S. Federal Code, U.S. Public Law 85-425: Sec. 410 Confederate veterans are deemed equivalent to all other American veterans. Georgia citizens and veterans should be outraged of this blatant act of disrespect to veterans who served their State and Country honorably and with valor.

We view this as a part of the on-going process of the political correct to "rename and/or remove" our Country's historical and Christian Holidays. Even now throughout Georgia and our Country's schools Christmas is referred to as winter break and George Washington's birthday is now called "Presidents' Day".

We would encourage the citizens of Georgia to contact Governor Nathan Deal's office and their State Representatives and Senators to express their concerns over of this act of dishonor against Georgia's veterans and ask that this decision be reversed and laws be created to protect the holidays, monuments and symbols that honor Georgia's veterans.      

"Remove not the ancient landmark, which thy fathers have set." Proverbs 22:28