Monday, December 25, 2017

Merry Christmas from the Prattville Dragoons SCV Camp 1524 - a Confederate Soldier's Christmas Poem

Christmas Night of '62
The following is a poem by Confederate soldier William Gordon McCabe,  Christmas Night, 1862.
The wintry blast goes wailing by,
the snow is falling overhead;
I hear the lonely sentry's tread,
and distant watch-fires light the sky.
Dim forms go flitting through the gloom;
The soldiers cluster round the blaze
To talk of other Christmas days,
And softly speak of home and home
My saber swinging overhead,
gleams in the watch-fire's fitful glow,
while fiercely drives the blinding snow,
and memory leads me to the dead.
My thoughts go wandering to and fro,
vibrating 'twixt the Now and Then;
I see the low-browed home again,
the old hall wreathed in mistletoe.
And sweetly from the far off years
comes borne the laughter faint and low,
the voices of the Long Ago!
My eyes are wet with tender tears.
I feel again the mother kiss,
I see again the glad surprise
That lighted up the tranquil eyes
And brimmed them o'er with tears of bliss
As, rushing from the old hall-door,
She fondly clasped her wayward boy -
Her face all radiant with they joy
She felt to see him home once more.
My saber swinging on the bough
Gleams in the watch-fire's fitful glow,
while fiercely drives the blinding snow
aslant upon my saddened brow.
Those cherished faces are all gone!
Asleep within the quiet graves
where lies the snow in drifting waves, -
And I am sitting here alone.
There's not a comrade here tonight
but knows that loved ones far away
on bended knees this night will pray:
"God bring our darling from the fight."

But there are none to wish me back,
for me no yearning prayers arise
the lips are mute and closed the eyes -
My home is in the bivouac.

Saturday, December 23, 2017

Christmas Devotional from SCV Camp 1524 Chaplain

 Christianity was born in one big heavenly interruption. Just ask the Bethlehem shepherds! They had no expectations of excitement. These are sheep they’re watching. We count sheep to go to sleep!

   Shepherds, however, treasured the predictable. This was the night shift. Any excitement was bad excitement—wolves, lions, poachers. Just because they wanted a calm night, didn’t mean they would get it. Luke  says, “Then an angel of the Lord stood before them. The glory of the Lord shining around them, and they became very frightened.” We always assume the worst before we look for the best. Good thing the shepherds lingered. Otherwise they might have missed the second verse. “On a day we celebrate as Christmas, your Savior was born in the town of David. He is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:9-11).

   I hope you’ll do what the shepherds did—linger near the manger!
John 1:14 says, “The Word became human and made His home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness.” He lived among us. He donned the costliest of robes, a human body. He became a friend of the sinner and a brother of the poor. He touched their sores and felt their tears and paid for their mistakes. And to all of us frightened ones, He shared the same message, “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me…I will come again and receive you to Myself” (John 14:1).

And how do we respond? Some pretend He doesn’t exist. Others hear Him, but don’t believe Him. But then, a few decide to give it a try. And when He calls your name, be ready. Look up. He will reach down and take you home…when Christ comes!

I wanted to take this time to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.  


Tom Snowden, Chaplain

Thursday, December 21, 2017

Tuesday, December 19, 2017

SCV Camp 1524 Dragoons Participate in Vida Alabama Christmas Parade

Camp 1524 was represented in the Vida Christmas parade Saturday December 16th by a two vehicle entry including five Dragoons with flags flying. The five members were Larry Miller, Bill Myrick, Tyrone Crowley, Bill Gill and James Spears. Two other Dragoons, Al Booth and Don Drasheff, were obligated to participate in other entries but spent time with the Dragoons. A number of other camp members were unable to participate due to travel to out of town Christmas activities, medical issues and other unavoidable factors. However, the Dragoons who were there had fun and greeted an enthusiastic crowd with Confederate flags waving proudly and by sharing Christmas treats with them. 

Vida is a small community in Autauga county which draws a tremendous crowd of participants and spectators every year for this event. Autauga county Sheriff Joe Sedinger led the parade, closely followed by the Shriners in their go carts with the third entry the Dragoons! When the parade was over, the ladies at the Vida Community Center greeted everyone with a full hot meal and plenty of homemade desserts, all for a contribution to the maintenance of the community center. 


It was a very special day for all involved and another great opportunity to show our Confederate colors to a welcoming public. The first photo below shows Larry Miller leaning on his truck with Tyrone Crowley and Bill Myrick in the truck  bed with Battle Flags ready to wave as the parade progressed. Second photo is Don Drasheff, Larry Miller, Bill Gill and James Spears telling tall tales before the parade began. The third photo shows the two vehicles in the Dragoons entry; Larry’s truck and Bill Gill’s SUV. 



Sunday, December 17, 2017

SCV Camp 1524 Prattville Dragioons Christmas Social

A winter storm which dropped over 2" of snow on Prattville forced the postponement of the Dragoons Christmas social scheduled for Friday night December 8th to the following evening. The road conditions were much improved but the backyard and porch stairs at Buena Vista were still covered with snow and ice.  Only a few could not attend that had made reservations  and the pianist was among those absent as he had sustained a fall earlier in the week.  It was a most wonderful time with Christmas music, a superb catered meal from Smokin S in Wetumpka, a visit from Santa, Christmas carol singing and much more.  The antebellum home was decorated with Christmas greenery including wreaths across the front windows and everyone enjoyed touring the home with the second floor period furnishings.  A large Battle Flag was hung from the upstairs balcony to welcome everyone. 

Chaplain Snowden opened the program with an invocation and blessed the food.  Everyone then made their way thru the buffet line where smoked turkey with dressing, green bean casserole, sweet potato casserole and desserts were enjoyed.  A welcome to all the guests was then extended by Commander Waldo along with the reading of the SCV Charge.  Cynthia Campyssi then provided a history of the historic antebellum home.  The commander's wife then read "Twas the Night Before Christmas" with terrific animation.  Chaplain Snowden then led everyone in a number of Christmas carols and then sang solo for "Mary Did You Know" and "O, Holy Night".  Twenty doorprizes were then awarded from a random draw so almost everyone received a little Christmas gift.  Chaplain Snowden then closed with a Benediction and led everyone in a rousing singing of "Dixie".  
Buena Vista Decorated with Christmas Greenery and the Battle Flag

Crowd Enjoys the Reception upon Arrival

Tyrone and Carol Crowley Serving the General Lee Eggnog

Butch and Pat Godwin and Todd Kiscaden

Comms Officer Larry Spears with Compatriot Bill Gill

Kathy Leverette with past Commander Wyatt Willis

Period Dress

Enjoying the Supper in the Parlor

1st Lt Harold Grooms, 2nd Lt Karl Wade and Compatriot Will Dismukes

Mr and Mrs George Jenks

Chaplain Snowden Singing

Santa Presents Adjutant Sutherland with a Candy Cane 



Friday, December 15, 2017

SCV Camp 1524 Dragoons Participate in the Prattville Christmas Parade

The Dragoons had another splendid participation in the Prattville Christmas parade Friday night December 1 with the crowds cheering and enjoying the Camp 1524 eye catching entry. As usual,  the camp's banner was out front with season's greetings and SCV logo emblazoned, a float with Christmas tree and plenty of lights and tinsel, an array of Confederate flags including the SCV banner with the Alabama state flag posted on the front and three bike riders; two from the Mechanized Cavalry (Corporal Bonzo and Dr. Chop Chop) and one, Don Owens, from Camp 1524. Several participants were in period dress which added much splendor to the evening and the ladies were asked for their photographs with a number of spectators.

The Dragoons entry was certainly one of the most popular entries in the parade with many spectators taking photos and extending applause and cheers. Commander Waldo worked with the city to revise some restrictive parade rules and allowed the Dragoons to participate as normally with the period flags and full compliment of float and walkers with the addition of the roaring Harleys.  Thanks to all Dragoons who participated to help make a good showing, especially non Dragoons including Butch and Pat Godwin, Mr. and Mrs. Scotty Myers, the Mechanized Cavalry riders, and Gene Darby; Shannon Fontaine supported along the parade route hoisting his own Battle Flag in front of city hall while spectating.  Dragoons included Adjutant Sutherland and Colby Carlock carrying the banner in front, Commander Waldo with wife and children in the truck pulling the float, compatriot Josh Stover and kids with Tyrone Crowley in period dress riding on the float and Bill Gill, Ryan King, Quartermaster Bill Myrick, 1st Lt Harold Grooms acting as spotters protecting the spectators from getting too close to the truck and trailer. 


The city only approved candy and “Christmas trinkets” as throws, so the Dragoons had a special Christmas ornament coin made with the Battle Flag on a candy cane staff on one side and a Christmas wreath on the other exclaiming "Christmas in Dixie" and "Confederate Seasons Greetings". These were very popular with the spectators and the participants. The camp had a total participation of a couple dozen with the Dragoons entry and other members present but obligated to other organizations on this evening. 







Wednesday, December 13, 2017

Enjoying the Christmas Program at Confederate Memorial Park with the Children of the Confederacy

Took my little ones to Confederate Memorial Park on Saturday December 2nd to enjoy the Alabama Children of the Confederacy Christmas program.  The event was held in the old chapel at the park and was well attended with the sponsor United Daughter of the Confederacy ladies as well as family and also some Sons of Confederate Veterans men.  The program started with a procession of all the CoC officers and the posting of the colors by a reenactment contingent from SCV Camp 962, Cradle of the Confederacy..  The children, officers of the CoC then largely directed and presented the program starting with an Invocation by the CoC Historian and Salute to the Christian flag followed by General Robert E. Lee's favorite hymn "Faith of our Fathers".  The Pledge of Allegiance was followed by everyone singing "The Star Spangled Banner", the salute to the Alabama flag was followed by everyone singing "Alabama" and, the salute to the Confederate Battle flag was followed by everyone singing "Dixie's Land".  The Children of the Confederacy Creed and Ritual was led  by CoC President Appleton who then welcomed all assembled.  Greetings were also extended by Alabama Division UDC President Pat Lewis and SCV Commander Jimmy Hill.  President Appleton then itroduced the CoC officers and performed a roll call of all Division chapters and representatives present.  With the introduction and business out of the way, the festivities began with all the children invited to come up and hang ornaments on the Christmas tree there in the chapel.  Then President Appleton hosted a game of Christmas and Alabama state trivia pitting the left side of the chapel against the right.  Santa Claus even paid a visit giving each child in attendance a stocking stuffed with a juicy orange, a candy cane which included the Christian meaning of the candy cane, a game and assorted candy.  A benediction was offered and the colors retired to bring the program to a close.  A wreath was placed at the Confederate cemetery across the road followed by refreshments provided by the UDC.  The kids had an absolute blast and it was great enjoying fellowship with compatriots for this event to open the Christmas season.
Posting the Colors

Alabama Division SCV Commander Jimmy Hill

UDC Ladies Greeting Santa Claus

Placing Ornaments on the Christmas Tree

Monday, December 11, 2017

SCV Camp 1524 Prattville Dragoons Ring the Christmas Bells for Salvation Army Kettle

On a chilly but sunny Saturday morning, December 9th representatives of the Prattville Dragoons Camp 1524 rang the bell and collected donations for the Salvation Army at the Prattville downtown Winn Dixie. Many thanks to 2nd Lt. Commander Karl Wade for organizing this event and coordinating the volunteers, etc. The community service project began at 9:00 AM and stopped  the collections at 3:00 so everyone could have enough time to prepare for the camp's Christmas social that evening.  There was excellent interaction with the public and camp members received many comments of appreciation for what we were doing. 


Participants pictured below are Bill Branch and Wayne Sutherland; Bill Branch, Conner Lee, Bill Gill and Don Owens; Larry Spears, Don Drasheff and Harold Grooms. Not pictured is Louis Turner.



Saturday, December 9, 2017

SCV Camp 1524 Commanders Column for December 2017 - Victories, Accomplishments, and a Merry Christmas

Commander's Column: Celebrate the Season and Victories Advancing the Charge


I wanted to take a break from lamenting the continuous attacks on our Southern heritage and historical commemorative vestiges to reflect on the season and the passing year.  This holiday season should be a time for renewed hope and faith both in reflection in celebration of the birth of Jesus as well as in looking forward to the coming year for the affirmation of the Cause and the Sons of Confederate Veterans. The new National Confederate Museum at Historic Elm Springs is scheduled for a grand opening on July 18th, 2018.  A heartfelt congratulations should be made to the members of Camp 1524 for giving toward the challenge goal of $1000 as a contribution to the museum’s construction.  If you haven’t seen it, check out https://www.facebook.com/HistoricElmSpringsCSA/ for updates on the progress there at Elm Springs.  It was with sadness we witnessed the renaming of Confederate Hall at Vanderbilt but subsequently, the UDC donated the inscribed stones from the buildings pediment to the museum for permanent display.  It is this historical revisionist mentality and a bias against Southern heritage that the museum is meant to counter.  That is the Charge to the Sons of Confederate Veterans, to ensure the true history of the south and our ancestors heroic fight for libertarian ideals and principles of sovereignty is preserved for future generations. In May the Alabama State legislature passed SB-60 and Governor Kay Ivey signed into law the Alabama Memorial Preservation Act "to prohibit the relocation, removal, alteration, renaming, or other disturbance of any architecturally significant building, memorial building, memorial street or monument located on public property which has been in placed for 40 or more years".  The SCV and many members of Camp 1524 worked tirelessly contacting their state legislators and petitioning to get this important legislation enacted.  Prattville Dragoons should be justifiably proud of answering and advancing the Charge. 

I was asked by Brigade Commander Godwin to enumerate the camp’s activities over the last few months and I decided I would like to continue that list for the membership here to include all activities over the past year to illustrate the amazing work your camp has accomplished. In addition to monthly camp meetings, multiple clean-up days at Indian Springs and Robinson Springs and Doster Cemeteries.   Our Dixie Butt annual fundraiser. Exemplary member attendance/participation at the Division SCV Unknown Soldier Monument Dedication in Luverne, Division Field trip to the Columbus GA Civil War Naval Museum, the Division reunion in Cullman (where Conner Lee received the Wheeler scholarship), the Division SCV Education Conference, the I-22 Flag Raising, and the Division Robert E. Lee Day observance at the State Archives.  Another enjoyable Fall Muster Clay Shoot and BBQ in addition to the spring picnic at Confederate Memorial Park where flags were set (in addition to flags at Oak Hill Cemetery in Prattville, Mount Zion Cemetery just above Deatsville, Ross Cemetery on Ross Rd. in Deatsville and Robinson Springs Cemetery in Prattville as part of Confederate History and Heritage month).  Billboard ad campaigns also for that observance as well as for Law Enforcement Appreciation Day, Robert E. Lee Day, and Christmas.   Dragoons participated in local community events including an Autauga County Cemetery Tour and Tyrone Crowley’s portrayal of Daniel Pratt for the city’s Founder’s Day.   Many Dragoons attended the 18th Annual Forrest Birthday Celebration at Ft. Dixie.  A number of our camp’s veterans represented the Dragoons and the SCV at the Memorial Day Remembrance Service for the Fallen at Montgomery’s Trinity Methodist Church.  Our popular Prattville Cityfest booth.  A living history presentation to students in two classes at Alabama Christian School.  JROTC H.L. Hunley Awards at Prattville High School and (Millbrook) Stanhope Elmore High School.  Hosting a Confederate Memorial Day program with pastor John Weaver speaking in addition to attendance at other events in Montgomery.  Independence Day, Mardi Gras and Christmas parade entries where we are greeted heartily.  Thanksgiving canned food drive for the Autauga Interfaith Care Center and manning a Salvation Army red kettle to ring in the Christmas season.   Our wonderful Christmas Social at historic Buena Vista. Outstanding.

Despite the tumultuous events of this year with continued heritage attacks there has been reason for celebration in our victories and our terrific advancement of the Charge.  We are blessed to know the truth of the Cause and to be able to share it and promote it in our community.  This Christmas season is a wonderful time of the year to fraternize with compatriots at numerous holiday events.  The Dragoons and their guests look forward to enjoyable festivities at the Prattville and Vida Christmas parades and the Christmas Social at Buena Vista.  The float preparation, walking the parade route with the Christmas lights shining and greeting everyone with cheers and candy (and new Confederate Christmas coins/ornaments) is always a great start to the December holiday season. The annual Christmas Social at the beautiful historic Buena Vista mansion offers another opportunity to enjoy a program with Christmas dinner, General Lee eggnog and Christmas carols sung together and played on the grand piano with friends from our camp and around the Division. It is a refreshing affirmation when we still can enjoy a fraternity of like-minded individuals such as the Prattville Dragoons.  Thank goodness for Sweet Home Alabama.  Thank God for the Sons of Confederate Veterans, our families, friends and neighbors.  I hope you and yours enjoy a very Merry Christmas, a Happy New Year and a wonderful holiday season. 

Saturday, December 2, 2017

Prattville Dragoons Chaplain's Column for December 2017 - Indifference to Christmas

Matthew 2:1-6
     Each year, there’s a predictable variety of responses to the celebrations and traditions of the Christmas season. Let’s examine one of several responses to Christmas. Although 2,000 years have passed since Christ was born, His birth still elicits similar attitudes.
     One common response is indifference. Even if they are filled with the holiday spirit and celebrate Christmas with gifts, dinners, decorations, and parties, some people remain totally indifferent to Jesus. He doesn’t even cross their minds because they’ve lost sight of the reason for Christmas.
In the story of the magi’s search for the newborn King of the Jews, we see a surprising indifference on the part of the religious leaders. The entourage from the East caused quite a stir in Jerusalem. It wasn’t every day that impressive visitors arrived with such a shocking and exciting announcement. Yet when King Herod asked the scribes and chief priests where the Messiah was to be born, they simply told him the answer but made no attempt to go to Bethlehem themselves. Their lives were already filled with their religious duties, and they had no time or interest in anything that might disrupt their positions of prominence and authority.
     Sometimes it’s easy to let the activities and pressures of Christmas push Jesus out of our thoughts. After all the shopping is finished, the gifts are wrapped, and the food is prepared, we might rush off to a Christmas Eve service. But even then, we often feel distracted. Though it may take deliberate refocusing, this year let’s intentionally make Jesus the priority of Christmas.
     It has been a great Confederate year for me with many Confederate events that were planned. I love to be around our good, like minded Southern Dragoon members and friends. I pray that each of you have a blessed Christmas and a happy new year. 

Thursday, November 30, 2017

Upcoming Events for Confederate Compatriots

From the Prattville Dragoons SCV Camp 1524 Dispatch newsletter:

Prattville Christmas Parade – Friday December 1st downtown Prattville at 7pm

Vida Christmas Parade – Saturday December 16th at 1pm at the Vida Community Center

Children of the Confederacy Christmas Program – Saturday December 2nd at the CMP chapel

Prattville Dragoons Christmas Social – Friday December 8th at Buena Vista at 6pm featuring Smokin S banquet

Prattville Dragoons Salvation Army Kettle Ringing – Saturday December 9th at Winn Dixie Prattville

AL Division Robert E. Lee Day Program – Saturday January 20th , 2018 at the Alabama State Archives

Army of TN Workshop -  Revival Building, 3030 washington St. Athens AL, Saturday February 24th, 2018

Brigade Confederate Flag Day -  TBD, March 3rd, 2018

AL Division Education Conference -  Prattville Doster Center, Saturday March 17th, 2018

Civil War Military & Civilian Life Living History - Confederate Memorial Park, Marbury AL,  April 27-28, 2018

Forrest Monument Dedication – Saturday May 5th, 2018 at Cedar Bluff AL 

Tuesday, November 28, 2017

Confederate Memorial Park by the Alabama Historical Commission

Confederate Memorial Park offers many features:
The museum offers exhibits on the life of an Alabama Confederate veteran from recruitment to old age, hundreds of artifacts from the Civil War and the Soldiers' Home, interactive media stations, and a Confederate reference library. The museum store carries books, posters, art reproductions, flags, and souvenirs related to the Confederacy and the Civil War.
Driving and walking tours include two cemeteries containing the graves of 298 veterans and 15 wives and widows, a guard house, officer barracks, commissary, a nature trail through an Alabama Treasure Forest that contains the original hand-dug spring and 86,000-gallon reservoir, and the Mountain Creek Post Office (circa 1900) and the Marbury Methodist Church (circa 1885), both of which were moved to the site.
The museum and library buildings, restrooms, picnic pavilions, and nature trail are accessible to individuals with physical disabilities. If you have questions or if you anticipate needing special assistance, please contact us at 205-755-1990 or alacmp@bellsouth.net.
( http://ahc.alabama.gov/CMPPlanYourVisit.aspx )

Confederate Memorial Park is the site of Alabama's only Confederate Soldiers' Home. The site operated from 1902-1939 as a haven for disabled or indigent veterans of the Confederate army, their wives, and widows.
The majority of veterans served in Alabama outfits, while others moved to Alabama after the war. The last veteran died at the home in 1934. The facility closed in 1939 when the five remaining widows were moved to Montgomery for better care.
Blue Star Museum: Confederate Memorial Park proudly offers free admission to active duty military personnel and their families between Memorial Day and Labor Day.
Come experience the site by visiting the graves of Confederate veterans who lived at the Soldiers' Home and whose stories are told in the Confederate Memorial Park Museum.
Confederate Memorial Park's pavilions, outdoor tables, and grills can be reserved for special events.
Contact the park at 205-755-1990 or alacmp@bellsouth.net.
Confederate Memorial Park is located in Chilton County, east of I-65 off Hwy 31, 11 miles below Clanton. It is 9 miles south of Exit 205 and 13 miles north of Exit 186.
437 County Road 63, Marbury, Alabama 36051
Admission
AmountTicket
$4Adult
$3Students, Seniors, Retired Military
$1Children 6-18 years (with parent)
FreeActive Military
Group rates availableFor more info call 205-755-1990
( http://216.226.186.47/properties/confederate/confederate.aspx )

Sunday, November 19, 2017

SCV Camp 1524 Prattville Dragoons Make Donation to Local Food Bank

Thursday November 16th, Commander Stuart Waldo and compatriot Karl Wade dropped off 333 pounds of food at the Autauga Interfaith Care Center in Prattville, the culmination of their annual food drive timed to coincide with the upcoming Thanksgiving holidays.  The Dragoons had been collecting food for the past few camp meetings and Karl was again the stalwart in this effort bringing in cases of canned vegetables.  Adjutant Wayne Sutherland was the focal point for donations by members and held the food in his garage until the day before it was delivered to Autauga Interfaith Care Center.  Stuart and Karl had just completed a meeting with the mayor and chief of police at the Prattville police department regarding the upcoming Christmas parade and announced there that the Dragoons were again making this donation.   The Care Center actually closed about 15 minutes prior to their arrival but thankfully there were still volunteers inside and the food was able to be delivered.  Prattville City Commisioner and Council President Pro Tempore Denise Brown is one of those volunteers and heads the Care Center.  She was very excited by the donation and said it would go a long way to restocking their shelves as deliveries for Thanksgiving had been made and left them bare.  Denise posed for a photo with Karl outside the Autauga Interfaith care Center.  The annual Thanksgiving canned food drive is one of the community service projects the Dragoons conduct as outreach to our Prattville neighbors. 



Saturday, November 11, 2017

SCV Camp 1524, Prattville Dragoons November Camp Meeting

The Dragoons held an enjoyable camp meeting on Thursday evening evening, November 9th at the Shoney's on Cobbs Ford Road in Prattville.  After Chaplain Snowden started the meeting with an Invocation, Commander Waldo read the SCV charge and then went into details on all the upcoming events and camp news.  With the holidays approaching there were a number of camp events of interest including our food bank dry goods donation, Christmas parades, the camp Christmas Social at Buena Vista, and the camp manning the Salvation Army kettle for ringing in the holidays. 

Bob Wieland, curator for the First White House of the Confederacy in Montgomery was the guest speaker presenting, "The First White House in a World Gone Crazy".  Bob described himself as a sojourning Yankee.  While still residing in NY, Bob was active in "Change New York" which was a Tea Party-like state government-centered movement but, he said that the Cuomos undid any good that the group attempted to accomplish.  Following a stint as a legislative aide in NY, Bob relocated to, as he described it, paradise in Hattiesburg Mississippi. But he soon realized that while the surrounding area was a paradise with a people and culture of the Old South, the University of Southern Miss campus was full of post-modernists with a faculty chock full of commies.  It was only thru an ingenious manipulation of the system that he was able to complete his dissertation without complying and conforming with the standard "Gay Saddle Makers of Serbia" academic line of thinking. 

Bob went on to say that the 30000 people a year visit the First White House. The First White House enjoys 4.5 out of 5 ratings from Tripadvisor and Yelp.  Many are foreigners from other countries who are enchanted with the "Gone with the Wind" idea of the antebellum South which is captured by the First White House.  He described a couple recent visitors including a little old lady from Australia who teared up while looking at the collection of artifacts.  Another recent visitor was a man from Cuba who asked for his picture to be taken kissing the Battle Flag as he wanted to remember the Cuban Confederate officers.  French visitors love Beauregard.  These contrast to the German visitors who as a general rule are more conformists who don't appreciate the Cause for which the Confederates fought against the Federalist oppression for liberty and independence. 

Today's national climate has Columbus, Washington, Andrew Jackson and Robert E. Lee being attacked as creeps.  Italian Americans honor Columbus as a great Italian mariner and missionary but enlightened liberal professors decry him as exploiting and enslaving Native Americans. Liberal professors have infiltrated and dominate university liberal arts, history and humanities departments and seek to brainwash and indoctrinate students who are forced to take courses in these disciplines as part of the required curriculum.  There is some nervousness at the First White House with the atatcks on heritage, the Battle flag and Confederate monuments across the country.  No vandalism has occurred and Bob remains hopeful that the First White House will remain a center of history, heritage and tourism in Montgomery for the state of Alabama and people from around the world. 

Thursday, November 9, 2017

Prattville Dragoons Commander's Column for November 2017

From the SCV Camp 1524 Dispatch newsletter.

Commander's Column: PC Attacks are an Attack on Constitutional and Biblical Principles


There has been continuing insanity across the nation directed at our Confederate heritage and now that of our founding fathers and even our basic Judeo-Christian foundation principles.  The attacks on Confederate history was never about a glorification of slavery although those instigators played that card as a bait and switch.  This has been an orchestrated attack on our nation’s very founding principles.  Confederate heroes were the easiest target but the underlying Confederate Cause which espoused the pure founding principles of liberty and a limited federal government was the real bullseye.  Now “leaders at the church where George Washington attended decided that a plaque honoring the first President of the United States must be removed” saying the pew memorials to him and Robert E. Lee who attended the church since childhood are not acceptable to all worshippers.  “The plaques in our sanctuary make some of our presence feel unsafe or unwelcome” leaders said” (insider.foxnews.com/2017/10/28/George-washington-chruch-plaque).  The founding fathers and our very Constitution is under assault.  The Democratic National Convention head Tom Perez in an attempt to undermine the legitimacy of the current administration and energize his ignorant constituency recently falsely stated “the Electoral College is not a creation of the Constitution” (although it is clearly laid out in Article II of the Constitution) maintaining Trump “didn’t win” last November (foxnews.com/politics/2017/10/26/dnc-head-tom-perez-falsely-claims-electoral).
Any argument presented as an attempt to refute these PC positions is derided as racist.  In the Virginia gubernatorial race, CNN contributor (and former Hillary Clinton spokesman) Brian Fallon blatantly labeled GOP candidate Ed Gillespie as a white supremacist trying to capitalize on the tragic death of the Antifa counter-protestor in Charlottesville by trying to tie Gillespie to the white nationalist rally using a Twitter image and linking Gillespie to Trump both of whom have asserted their desire to preserve and protect the Confederate monuments there, Trump saying, “Gillespie will turn the really bad Virginia economy around and might even save our great statues/heritage (as 62 percent of Americans similarly believe Confederate statues should remain intact)”.  Fallon’s libel apparently backfiring as the Richmond Times endorsed Gillespie.  (breitbart.com/big-government/2017/10/28/republican-governors-assn, breitbart.com/big-government/2017/10/27/poll-ralph-northam-leads) The latest Democrat ad campaign in the race portrays “supporters of Virginia’s Republican gubernatorial candidate Ed Gillespie as Confederates who attack minority children” showing Latino children being chased by a pickup truck bedecked with a Confederate flag labeling that as Gillespie and Trump’s “American dream”. (foxnews.com/politics/2017/10/0/democratic-campaign-ad-implies-ed-gillespie-supporters-are-confederates) 
And the divisive total attack on our Constitution, our heritage, our values is permeating throughout our university campuses.  In an article entitled “Vandalism: It Ain’t Just Confederate Memorials they Hate”, “The Church Militant reports the Northern Kentucky Students for Life set up a pro-life cross display Sunday afternoon and by Sunday night, vandals already had destroyed it.” (southernnation.org/2017/20/vandalism-it-aint-just-confederate-memorial)  University of Illinois math education professor Rochelle Gutierrez laid it out in her article “Building Support for Scholarly Practices in Mathematics Methods” that “on many levels, mathematics itself operates as whiteness. Who gets credit for doing and developing mathematics, who is capable in mathematics is generally viewed as white.” Further she says mathematics operates with unearned privilege in society, “Just like whiteness.”  She asks, “are we really that smart just because we do mathematics? (When I read that quote to my nine year old daughter, she exclaimed, “Yes!”) If one is not viewed as mathematical, there will always be a sense of inferiority that can be summoned.  (There are those) who have experienced microaggressions from participating in math classrooms.”  Her views and statements were endorsed and defended by the University Provost John Wilkin. (foxnews.com/us/2017/10/24/white-privilege-bolstered-by-teaching-math)  City University of New York sociology professor Jessie Daniels attacked our very Biblical nuclear family structure as white supremacist.  The “expert on “the Internet manifestations of racism” (said) “the white-nuclear family is one of the most powerful forces supporting white supremacy,” adding that families “reproducing white children” are “part of the problem” as they facilitate white supremacy in the country.  (She) suggested that “white people” should confront their racism and stop perpetuating inequality when they (bequeath) their homes to their children saying, “White people: do you own your home? When you die, where's wealth in that house going? If it's to your children, you're reproducing (inequality).” (foxnews.com/us/2017/10/31/having-white-nuclear-family-promotes-white-supremacy)
Timeless truths and principles such as our nation’s Constitution, Biblical principles protecting the sanctity of life and family, even absolute color blind objective principles of mathematics are not exempt from the insanity of the relativist attacks by the alt-left wackos.  Well, that couldn’t happen in Prattville Alabama.  Well, we just received the latest revised rules for our own Prattville Christmas parade.  No flags permitted except the United States flag (presumably prohibiting even our Alabama state flag not to mention our historical Confederate flags).  No hand-outs except candy and “Christmas themed trinkets” disallowing our SCV coins and mini-Battle flags.  No reenactment weapons.  No playing of “Dixie” (or any non-Christmas themed music).  If our Prattville government Parks and Recreation Department was not intentionally discriminating against our entry in instituting these parade prohibitions, they incidentally did a fantastic job of restricting our popular promotional initiatives.  And that is what is so confounding and irking - our Prattville government leaders and those in Charlottesville and Washington DC and at the Southern Baptist Convention and other Protestant church bodies are all ignoring the will of the people and the majority and are pandering to a vocal militant PC minority who seek to destroy our nation’s fabric and underpinnings to minimize our nation’s greatness and distort her history in an effort to promote a new socialist world order.  Yeah, let’s prohibit those problematic SCV coins and mini-Battle flags, that’s the answer.  

Tuesday, November 7, 2017

Upcoming Events for Confederate Compatriots

From the SCV Camp 1524 Dispatch newsletter.

Upcoming Events

Prattville Dragoons Camp Meeting – Thursday November 9th at 7pm at the Shoney’s in Prattville on Cobbs Ford Rd

20th Annual Battles for the Armory – Thursday-Sunday, November  9-12th, Tallassee AL  

Prattville Christmas Parade – Friday December 1st downtown Prattville at 7pm

Vida Christmas Parade – Saturday December 16th  at 1pm at the Vida Community Center

Children of the Confederacy Christmas Program – Saturday December 2nd at the CMP chapel

Prattville Dragoons Christmas Social – Friday December 8th at Buena Vista at 6pm featuring Smokin S banquet

Prattville Dragoons Salvation Army Kettle Ringing – Saturday December 16th at Winn Dixie all day, Karl Wade will coordinate a sign-up sheet for shifts

AL Division Robert E. Lee Day Program – Saturday January 20th , 2018 at the Alabama State Archives

Army of TN Workshop -  Revival Building, 3030 Washington St. Athens AL, Saturday February 24th, 2018

AL Division Education Conference -  Prattville Doster Center, Saturday March 17th, 2018

Civil War Military & Civilian Life Living History - Confederate Memorial Park, Marbury AL,  April 27-28, 2018

Forrest Monument Dedication – Saturday May 5th, 2018 at Cedar Bluff AL 

Sunday, November 5, 2017

Prattville Dragoons Chaplain's Column for November 2017

From the SCV Camp 1524 Dispatch newsletter:

Chaplain’s Column –Ask God, He Will Listen


    Did you know that God always loves the sound of your voice? God never places you on hold or tells you to call again later. He doesn’t hide when you call. He listens to all of your prayers.
   For that reason we should “be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God” (Philippians 4:6). With this verse the apostle calls us to take action against anxiety. We tell God exactly what we want. We pray the particulars of our problems.
Remember that what Jesus said to the blind man, applies to us as well. “What do you want me to do for you?” (Luke 18:41 NIV). One would think the answer would be obvious. When a sightless man requests Jesus’ help, isn’t it apparent what he needs? Yet Jesus wanted to hear the man articulate his specific requests. He wants the same from us. “Let your requests be made known to God!”
   I would like to wish everyone a very blessed Thanksgiving and please don’t forget to remember to pray for all those that are on our prayer list. 

Wednesday, November 1, 2017

Prattville AL Prohibits Display of Confederate Flag for Christmas Parade - Open Letter to Mayor

Received the registration and new rules for the Prattville Christmas parade.  Quite disappointed. If our Prattville Parks and Recreation Department was not intentionally discriminating against our entry in instituting these parade prohibitions, they incidentally did a fantastic job of completely restricting our popular promotional initiatives.  No flags (except the U.S. flag), no SCV coins (just Christmas “trinkets”, whatever that is), no playing of Dixie, no reenactors weapons, no mini-Battle flag hand-outs.  While they are busy taking down plaques honoring George Washington and attacking the Constitutionality of the Electoral College, and sponsoring ads depicting a truck bedecked with Confederate flags chasing Hispanic children in Virginia and college professors are attacking mathematics (yes, math) and the nuclear family as “white privilege” and “white supremacy”, while Antifa and BLM militants physically prevent the exercise of our freedom of speech at events across the country, we’ll prohibit those problematic SCV coins and mini-Battle flags.  There will be a lot of disappointed parade spectators who will not receive what they expect from us in the way of hand-outs and representation, the vast majority of those in attendance.  Cannot believe in Prattville Alabama we are cowering at the feet of the few PC progressives and misguided bigots and disrespecting our history and heritage.  Very disappointing.  By the way, I did alert the Parks and Recreation Admin that the rules as published disallow the display of the flag of the state of Alabama but, perhaps since it is patterned after the St. Andrew’s cross as was the Confederate Battle flag, perhaps that was intentional.  

Tuesday, October 24, 2017

Prattville Dragoons Enjoy a Wonderful Fall Muster

SCV Camp 1524 members and their guests in attendance on Saturday October 21st thoroughly enjoyed the 3rd annual Dragoon Fall Muster under bright Alabama sunlight with moderate temperatures and a nice breeze. Many participated in shooting the clay targets with their shotguns and also shot a variety of other weapons at stationary targets. After working up an appetite, we dined on delicious Dixie butt provided by Larry Spears, Bill Myrick’s “World Famous" Baked Beans, Commander Waldo’s potato salad and corn casserole, several desserts and other picnic fare. After the meal, several more Dragoons continued breaking several clays with their expertly placed shots. 

The event was held in a field of the Dismukes’ property off Main Street south of Millbrook AL but unfortunately Dragoon Will Dismukes was not able to attend due to an emergent conflicting priority. But the camp appreciated the hospitality shown by the Dismukes family in hosting the event on the beautiful grounds adjacent to the Alabama River. A total of 20 camp members attended so it was the biggest fall muster event so far conducted by the camp.  Clays were thrown using a hand thrower as well as an anchored spring thrower so a variety of target paths were seen which made it a challenge to break the clays (especially since many were using this event as their sole annual opportunity to shoot).  

Members were pleased to see Allen Herrod who has had some health problems lately and new member “Bear” Butler brought an array of weapons that provided enjoyment to several who shot them.  Bill Branch also had a nice couple weapons.  Bear and Bill both brought their better halves so it was nice to see a couple ladies participate also. The youngest member there was Connor Lee who is a student and recipient of the Alabama Division Joe Wheeler scholarship who stated it was his first time shooting clays and the oldest in attendance was WWII veteran James Spears who also shot stationary clay targets.   Great time being able to shoot our guns and practice a little before hunting season.  Thanks to all who attended, those who brought food and everyone who helped clean up following the shoot and dinner. There was great camaraderie among all those present.