Memorial Day 2017 - Remembrance Service for the Fallen

A Remembrance Service for the Fallen was held at Trinity Presbyterian Church in Montgomery the evening of Sunday May 28th in commemoration of Memorial Day.  Confederate veterans were well represented including SCV Camp 1524, the Prattville Dragoons, as well as a Montgomery Sons of Confederate Veterans camp, the United Daughters of the Confederacy and the Ladies Memorial Association.  The program included the posting of colors, banners for the various organizations in attendance and the Dragoons were able to place the SCV flag on the stage.   Camp Commander Waldo hand made a magnolia leaf wreath which Quartermaster Bill Myrick adorned with a few Confederate Battle Flags and placed among the other societies' wreaths on stage when introduced during that period of the program.  1st Lt Harold Grooms and Compatriot Tyrone Crowley also attended representing the Dragoons, all these men veterans.  One of the little Battle Flags fell off the wreath and a lady at the service attempted to return it to 1st Lt Grooms who offered for her to keep it as a keepsake after they chatted and she revealed she attended Robert E. Lee High School in Montgomery as a youth and had proudly carried the Battle Flag at games and parades as part of the school band.  The service also included music and a guest speaker.  It was a beautiful wonderful tribute to the heroic soldiers who have fought and died to protect their homes and nation as part of the fabric of our American history.

Prattville Dragoons Host School Visit

Compatriot Tyrone Crowley of SCV Camp 1524 along with Camp Commander Waldo's wife Kerri visited the 1st and 3rd graders at Alabama Christian Academy in Montgomery AL.  Tyrone was dressed in period attire as President Jefferson Davis and Kerri was dressed in a period gown depicting his daughter Maggie.  Kerri made the presentation to the first graders including both classes, taking them on a time machine journey back to 1861.  The students were told about the history of Alabama from the era including their home in Montgomery, the First White House of the Confederacy.   Tyrone led the presentation to the 3rd graders from both classes including relating the childhood of Jefferson Davis and leading to his service as President of the Confederate States of America.  The teachers and students thoroughly enjoyed this living history and the girls especially loved the hoop skirt ball gown worn by Mrs. Waldo.  The children asked many questions demonstrating their interest and one teacher expressed his appreciation saying that bringing history alive was wonderful for the kids learning experience.

ACA First Graders with Tyrone and Kerri

Prattville Dragoons Clean Local Cemeteries

Two cemeteries were cleaned up on Wednesday, May 17th by members of Camp 1524. Doster cemetery was cleaned by Compatriot Bill Myrick and the Robinson Springs cemetery was cleaned by Tyrone Crowley, Bill Gill, Bill Myrick, and James and Larry Spears. In addition, Confederate Battle flags were replaced as needed on those Confederate veterans' graves. Pictured below are a grave marker at Doster cemetery where Past Commander Myrick worked. The last photos are of Robinson Springs cemetery one of which shows the cemetery before work began with many wildflowers in bloom.  The Dragoons care for Robinson Springs cemetery as part of the Sons of Confederate Veterans Guardian program. 

Prattville Dragoons Indian Hill Cemetery Workday

SCV Camp 1524 members Tyrone Crowley, Quartermaster Bill Myrick, 1st Lt Harold Grooms and Camp Commander Stuart Waldo participated in a cemetery workday at Indian Hill cemetery in Prattville on Saturday morning May 20th.  All arrived and commenced work even before the 8am start time in order to beat  the heat.  Tyrone Crowley used his weed trimmer and lopping shears all along the frontage and perimeter fence line.  Harold, Bill and Stuart mowed the cemetery, knocking down the spring flowers and grass among the trees and graves in the historic cemetery.  Commander Waldo also used some diluted bleach to clean the mildew from the vinyl fencing posts and slats at the cemetery entrance.  This cleanup was the latest in dozens of such workdays conducted by the camp in the past few years as the Dragoons have adopted the cemetery as part of the SCV Guardian Program including a cemetery rededication in April 2015.

Dragoons of SCV Camp 1524 Participate in Prattville Cityfest

A number of Dragoon members participated in the Prattville City Fest event on Saturday May 13th and were well rewarded for their efforts. An unbelievable amount of contacts were made with an appreciative public who, one after another, opened up about their love for our Confederate heritage and their thankfulness that the Sons of Confederate Veterans and he Prattville Dragoons are there for them helping to advance the Cause and preserve Southern heritage. As always happens in public ventures in which the Dragoons participate, it is like a dam breaks and the public rushes to us to express their love for this period of history and their gallant ancestors who fought for Liberty. A number of men expressed interest in joining the SCV and learning more about their ancestors.

Many thanks to all who worked so hard to set up and take down the exhibits plus interact with the public. Pictured below you see several scenes from the day at the Dragoons' booth. Our exhibit garnered a lot of attention and many sales of Quartermaster items including Confederate flags and tote bags. We also gave out a few hundred mini Battle Flags, SCV coins, Alabama Division educational posters, and free literature.  The day was very enjoyable, successful and worth the effort. 

Alabama Memorial Preservation Act

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 Sons of Confederate Veterans worked to get this legislation passed in the face of the politically correct historical revisionism which has led to the removal of historical monuments across the country, most recently the General Lee, General Beauregard and President Jefferson Davis monuments by liberal race bating hate mongers posing as the city council and mayor of New Orleans.  This Act protects monuments honoring those who helped shape the history of the state of Alabama from colonial times to the heroes of recent 20th and 21st century conflicts, including those who fought to defend their homes and state in the War for Southern Independence.  The Act issued in its final form can be found on this link - http://alisondb.legislature.state.al.us/ALISON/SearchableInstruments/2017RS/PrintFiles/SB60-enr.pdf.

Prattville Dragoons May 2017 Camp Meeting

The much anticipated May SCV Camp 1524 meeting with Brigadier General John Scales, U.S. Army, retired, as the speaker was held Thursday night, May 11th at the Prattmont Baptist Church. General Scales was most informative in his presentation of “Did Forrest Make a Difference”. General Scales has written a book about General Forrest and it will be available to the public in a few months. In his presentation, General Scales outlined Forrest’s entire career with the Confederate Army from the time he enlisted as a private for one month before he was promoted to Calvary Colonel until the end of the war when his troops stacked arms on 9 May 1865. 

Following a devotional and Invocation by Chaplain Snowden, Commander Waldo read the SCV Charge.  Compatriot Will Dismukes was sworn in as the newest member of the Dragoons and SCV.  The upcoming events for the camp and the Alabama Division of the SCV were highlighted and then announcements were made including reports from compatriot Tyrone Crowley for a presentation he helped make at Alabama Christian Academy and from Sam Reid who made a presentation to the Autauga Geneological Society.  Following the presentation by General Scales, the SCV closing and a Benediction by Chaplain Snowden closed the meeting

Nearly 50 persons attended this meeting with members of several other camps present along with many guests.  Many thanks should be extended to all who attended and invited others to come.  A BBQ dinner was hosted by 1st Lt Harold Grooms who also led planning for the meeting event.  Harold brought chopped BBQ and camp stew and he and Mrs. Grooms led the setup including decorating the venue as well as breaking down and cleaning afterward.  Quartermaster Bill Myrick and wife Peggy brought their world famous baked beans and hummingbird cake.  Commander Waldo brought potato salad and desserts.  Adjutant Sutherland brought plates and utensils and came early and stayed late helping with the setup and cleanup. We appreciate all who assisted in the planning and  execution of this most enjoyable camp meeting many who stated it was the best in memory and a huge success.

Pictured below you see the head table consisting of Brigade Commander Butch Godwin, Dragoon Commander Stuart Waldo, General John Scales and Dragoon Sam Reid who served in the military with General Scales and arranged for him to speak to us. Also pictured are photos of part of the crowd and a photo of 1st Lt. Commander Harold Grooms who was the program chairman. Also pictured are Will Dismukes receiving his SCV certificate and General Scales making his presentation.

Pratville Dragoons' Adjutant Attends Flag Raising

On Saturday May 13th, the Sons of Confederate Veterans Mechanized Cavalry with the Alabama Division and National Headquarters SCV raised a new 20 x 30ft Confederate Battle Flag atop a 100ft tall pole near Cordova, AL The dedication and raising ceremony began at 1pm continuing til 3pm.Adjutant Sutherland of the Prattville Dragoons was able to attend the event along with members from camps around the South.  Adjutant Sutherland reported that it was a warm beautiful day enjoyed by over 200 Confederate compatriots with speakers, rifle and cannon salutes, and music to celebrate the occasion. Food and beverages was also offered.  The new flag compliments a similar flag which has flown over I-65 near Prattville AL.  This new flag can be seen in North Alabama along I-22 near exit 72. 

The New Battle Flag as Seen from I-22

The Crowd Gathered at the Site of the Flag Raising

The Beautiful Base of the Flag

Alabama Division Commander Jimmy Hill

Cannon Crew

Announcing the Prattville Dragoons' Camp Meeting for May 2017

From the May 2017 Camp 1524 Dispatch:


On Thursday, May 11th Prattmont Baptist Church will be the location for this month’s meeting of the Prattville Dragoons. We have a special guest speaker, Major General John Scales U.S. Army, retired, and his topic will be on the impact of General Nathan Bedford Forrest. This distinguished career officer is an outstanding speaker who has also authored several books.


A meal will be served beginning at 6:00 PM with the program to follow. First Lt. Commander Harold Grooms will be hosting the meal which will consist of bar-b-que, camp stew and various dishes provided by some camp members. 1Lt. Commander Grooms requests persons and/or camps planning to attend RSVP to Harold NLT Friday May 5th. This is for head count purposes for meal planning. Donations to offset the meal expense will be accepted.

General Scales is traveling from north Alabama to present this outstanding program to us and we are encouraging members of other SCV camps, the general public, educators, etc. to attend this special presentation.

Upcoming Events for Confederate Compatriots

From the May 2017 Camp 1524 Dispatch:


1.) Annual Service for the Fallen – Sunday May 28th at 6PM at Trinity Presbyterian Church, Montgomery, AL. The Dragoons will attend to place a wreath in memory of those Confederate veterans who sacrificed their all in the War Between the States.


2.) Flag Raising – Saturday May 13th – Corodva, AL The dedication and raising ceremony will begin at 1pm until 3pm.There will be speakers, rifle and cannon salutes, and music to celebrate the occasion. Food and beverages will be offered. Take I-22 to exit 72 and Mechanized Cavalry troopers will be posted to provide directions and assistance at each turning point. The SCV will soon have a 100 foot sister flag in place in North Alabama to compliment the I-65 Battle Flag


3.) Prattville Cityfest – Saturday May 13th 9am-5pm at the Dragoons booth


4.) 2017 Division Reuninon – June 9th and 10th in Cullman.
Registration forms are available on the Alabama Division website and are due by May 31st.

Prattville Dragoons' Chaplain's Column for May 2017

Chaplain’s Column: Facing Accusations



Scripture: Matthew 26:7-13




From time to time Christians face undeserved criticism. Sometimes it comes when we offer our very best to the Lord. These good intentions are misunderstood or even made fun of by those who should even know better.




In the above passage of Matthew, a woman takes a bottle of precious perfume and pours it on Jesus’ head as He reclined at the table. The woman was scolded for her actions. Her efforts were viewed as extravagant, unreasonable, and irresponsible. Jesus, however, thought of the event in another way. It was amazing how the Lord looked at this event. He knew her intentions and viewed this as a loving sacrifice. In His mind, it deserved to be memorialized—He said, "What she has done will also be told, in memory of her." (Matt. 26:13 NIV).



Sometimes we wonder just how much God is noticing our efforts to please Him. At times some of our greatest sacrifices seem to bring nothing but misunderstanding or even criticism from our family members and friends. We sometimes hear people talk about our effort and sometimes those voices come even from our own heart.



Jesus Christ knows the depths of our soul, sees and understands the torment we face. He hears the condemning voices of our accusers. When our sacrifices for the heavenly Father make little sense to the world around us, it is His voice that will prevail on our behalf. Please remember those on our prayer list.

Prattville Dragoons Commander's Column for May 2017

April 24^th was Confederate Memorial Day and that morning while checking the news on my computer, I was pleased to note that AL.com highlighted Confederate Memorial Day.  In a short article, they provided a brief history saying, “The day traces its roots back to 1866 when the Ladies Memorial Association of Columbus GA passed a resolution to set aside a day to honor Confederate soldiers who lost their lives in the Civil War. Almost 260,000 Civil War soldiers were killed in the lined of duty,” they reported.  Government offices closed in observance of the state holiday were also listed. 

Unfortunately, an hour or so later they also ran an Associated Press article which was much more editorial and slanted as you might imagine.  After listing the few states which still observe the day or others as a state holiday, the author immediately followed that Mississippi in their 1861 secession declaration included that its decision to leave the United States was "thoroughly identified with the institution of slavery."  They then quoted a Mississippi activist who complained that the state flag there prominently includes the Confederate Battle flag.  No mention was made of the referendum put on the ballot there where voters, citizens there elected to keep their state flag by a 30% margin.

The same AP article included a quote from SCV chaplain Barry Cook of Jasper, cherry picking his good commentary previously published on AL.com to minimize the monumental decision of the Southern states and populace to secede saying it was merely because “Yankees wanted to disrupt their lives”.  This same quote was used on WLWI radio during their morning news which included the announcement of Confederate Memorial Day followed by the editorial that some believe that slavery was the sole reason for the Southern states secession. 

Eleven states seceded from the Union.  Upwards of a million Southerners fought to defend their states, their homes from the invading Union army. Over a quarter million Southerners died in the War Between the States.  For a “disruption” to their daily lives?  To phrase the reason for secession and such a monumentally tragic war with such an absurdly insignificant word as “disrupt” is offensive.  Abraham Lincoln was elected as a sectional candidate with 39% of the popular vote vowing to enforce oppressive tariffs and taxation to fill his Treasury and redistribute the wealth of the Southern states to the Northern industrialists by returning the states of the Confederacy to an imperialist Union, wantonly attacking fellow Americans many who had served the United States in the armed forces and government with distinction but who resisted the ruthless overbearing Federal army and defended their sovereign home states. A mere disruption? 

Kevin Elkin, the host of the morning radio show on WLWI mentioned Confederate Memorial Day also.  His guest that morning said he was “trying to figure out what to do on Confederate Memorial Day (and that he didn’t) care anything about it.”  Although Kevin said he didn’t intend to observe the day, he said he “understood the reverence” we place on observing Confederate Memorial Day to honor our Confederate ancestors.  Interestingly, I took note when Kevin said he is the only radio or TV host in the Montgomery area who is a military veteran.  I think it not a coincidence that this Army Ranger veteran although a black man understands and appreciates the sacrifices that the Confederate veterans made in defense of their homes, many dying, many maimed and crippled.  The deprivation they experienced.  The horror of this modern total war. 

A couple days later I noticed on Twitter a link to an article discussing President Trumps comments on Andrew Jackson. Incredible to see the ignorance of all the comments posted to the article who uniformly, just as Chelsea Clinton did in the article, that secession and the War was all about slavery. Lincoln said in his inaugural address that he had "...no purpose, directly or indirectly, to interfere with the institution of slavery in the States where it exists. I believe I have no lawful right to do so, and I have no inclination to do so." Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation was a war measure which freed no slaves as it didn't apply to slaves in states within the Union, only to states in the Confederacy for which he had no jurisdiction, until his Army ransacked the countryside and freed the slaves to allow them to starve to death (read "Sick from Freedom" by Jim Downs). Trump was stating that Jackson would have avoided secession by negotiating the tariff issue which was the true impetus of the Southern states leaving the Union. Lincoln provoked the War at Ft. Sumter (and then escalated and ultimately finished it by invading the South) as he needed to control the ports to collect his tariffs. He said, "What about the revenue? What would I do about the collection of duties?" Wars are fought over money/territory(resources). Follow the money. Lincoln could not and would not allow the Southern states to peacefully secede as the industrializing North was dependent on the tax and tariff monies from the wealthy Southern states.

Western Kentucky University student government recently voted in favor of reparations for black students in the form of free tuition; they also recommended test-optional admissions for prospective black students. One student senator the resolution was not unfair because it makes up for advantages white people have historically enjoyed.  Evidently this student of higher learning has never heard of Reconstruction and share cropping in the South and for that matter the economic disparity between North and South even today.  The Kennedy brothers spoke at the Education Conference about the destruction today of our Southern heritage and culture due to internal immigration.  Many of our universities and local governments in the South are controlled now by people who do not understand Southern history nor appreciate Southern heritage.  One need only look at the repulsive efforts at historical revisionism at Washington and Lee University and in Lexington and Danville, Virginia to see the attempts at removal of vestiges honoring Southern heroes. Or at New Orleans to see the repugnant efforts of a liberal Yankee city administration led by Mitch Landrieu to remove beautiful historic Confederate monuments.

The ignorant regurgitation of the slavery issue as the sole cause of secession and the War, the attacks on Confederate monuments across the cemeteries, universities and towns throughout the South, are disconcerting and frustrating.  We as Sons of Confederate Veterans have the opportunity to proclaim the truth and perpetuity of the Cause and the relevance today of the Confederate soldier’s brave struggle for freedom and sovereignty and state’s rights.  As past-Division Commander Ira West wrote in his Confederate Memorial Day distribution, “We honor our illustrious Confederate ancestors (who) though hopelessly outnumbered and with little hope of success, continued to fight for four long years.  They fought to protect their families and homes from the burning and pillaging Yankee invaders as they tried to peacefully leave a union they had peacefully entered. They deserve our remembrance and honor.  Let us not forget that more Alabamians gave their lives fighting for the Confederacy than in all other wars combined.”