Tuesday, September 26, 2017

Prattville Dragoons Cleanup Indian Hill Cemetery as Part of SCV Guardian Program

Several members off SCV Camp 1524 helped clean up Indian Hill cemetery the week of September 18th, with five men working Saturday morning and three more helping during the week. Pictured below is Conner Lee with Adjutant Wayne Sutherland, compatriot Skip Ward and new member Doug “Bear” Butler (Larry Spears was present on Saturday but not pictured). Also contributing on different days during the week were 1st Lt Harold Grooms, Ryan King and Treasurer Billy Leverette.  Many thanks to the men who showed up to do our duty in maintaining this cemetery which provides the final resting place for a number of Confederate veterans including original Dragoons including Lt. A. Y. Smith and many Autauga county early pioneers.. Camp 1524 is the Division SCV Guardian for this cemetery and reclaimed it from nature in 2014 and 2015. A re-dedication service was held in 2015 which was well attended by SCV members, community neighbors and dignitaries. 

We managed to not disturb the pesky yellow jackets that attacked Harold and Ryan on Friday and that was a blessing.  The crew was missing a few regular workers who were out of town or had other  obligations but the men present did a tremendous job tackling the summer growth.  Even if you cannot attend on the official work day, compatriots are encouraged when they can to go do some work which will lighten the load for those attending future work days. This is an excellent, highly visible  community service project that is only as successful as the SCV members and compatriots make it. 



Tuesday, September 19, 2017

The danger behind taking down Confederate monuments

The danger behind taking down Confederate monuments,
like ISIS bombing museums
It becomes tiresome pointing out the same old historical half-truths when talking about the War Between the States.
So in the interest of not getting distracted from my main point, let’s ignore the many reasons other than slavery behind the formation of the Confederate States of America (CSA).
Why not? Most do already. Instead, let’s talk about why current politicians’ taking down monuments to CSA soldiers and politicians is far more dangerous than allowing them to remain.
First, a word about symbols. It is entirely possible, and in fact most often the case, that symbols can contain a multitude of meanings.
That meaning is determined by the context in the which the symbol is seen, and by the person the viewer of the symbol is.
You may see the U.S. flag, and feel inspired as it reminds you of patriotism and love of country; citizens of other countries often have a far different interpretation.
I see the cross, and am reminded of the inestimable love of Jesus, while non-Christians may have a negative reaction. And who is to say that one side is wrong?
Symbols do not have meaning separate from the context in which they exist. The meaning is an artificial construct — a red rose is simply a flower until someone from a culture which view both the flower and its color as significant sees it.
That means that it is entirely possible that the person who tells you a Confederate monument or flag represents pride in regional heritage is not in fact racist.
That does not mean that to someone else, the flag or monument does embody racism — usually the argument against the flags of the CSA are predicated on the fact that slavery was an economic issue behind the South’s dissatisfaction with remaining in the Union.
This completely ignores the objective fact that the Union did not disavow slavery upon commencing actions against the CSA, and continued to have slavery be legal in the slave states of the Union even AFTER the Emancipation Proclamation freed some slaves in very specific areas.
It is usually also brought up that racist groups like the Ku Klux Klan have used the flags, again ignoring the role of the U.S. flag in the racist groups’ rallies, etc.
Minus any evidence to the contrary, the fact is that it is the willful ignorance, or conscious ignoring, of these facts that allow politicians and various organizations to manipulate the public through craven appeal to a simplistic understanding.
Hundreds of thousands of dollars — from some unknown source — were used to remove statues and memorials in New Orleans.
Now the mayor can gleefully claim to have fought the nasty racists, and undoubtedly those who have rewarded him with accolades and their applause will continue to congratulate him and his cronies on this grand stand against racism.
It’s an easy — if tawdry — way to get a bump in approval. But at the end of the day, how has it made the life of even one New Orleans minority citizen better?
The supposedly private funds used to destroy part of the history of a city with a large amount of historical tourism might have been used to help rectify the housing shortage which continues to burden the largely minority workforce that enables the tourism industry to succeed.
It could have been used to help transform the lackluster public education system, enabling even the poorest citizens to have confidence that their children were receiving the kind of education which would equip them to take their place in society and be the kind of leaders so desperately needed in New Orleans.
Instead, it went to the wanton destruction of items that had no impact on the day-to-day lives of the very population most in need of having the real legacy of racism erased.
The greatest danger in this kind of empty political stunt is the fact it enables smug, self-satisfied Yankees and “progressive” Southerners to once again make the CSA and the South their racial scapegoat.
Northerners won’t have to grapple with the embedded racism that informed their region in the 1860s, and which continues to this day. Those self-hating Southerners can pretend that they have risen above it.
How glorious to be amongst the non-racists of the United States! How grand to know that there is nothing other than removing those statues that need be done!
The hard work of ensuring equality for all requires all hands on deck.
By seeking to alienate a large portion of citizens who rightly wish to preserve their historical heritage and NOT support racism, those who take advantage of the ignorance and easily swayed opinions of otherwise well-meaning liberals do the cause of freedom, justice and equality an extreme disservice.
It also doesn’t serve our nation in the long run to ignore large chunks of our history and pretend that the complexities of our past just didn’t exist.
It doesn’t advance us; it puts us on the level of ISIS and all those who delight in bombing statues, destroying museums and trying to erase that which doesn’t support their agenda.


CHRISTINE BARR is an educator, mother of four and former Henry County resident who now resides in Texas. 

Sunday, September 17, 2017

Prattville Dragoons SCV Camp 1524 Meeting for September 2017

The Dragoons had another splendid meeting on Thursday September 14th. Brigade Commander Butch Godwin visited the camp again and was recognized for his help in felling a large pine tree at Indian Hill Cemetery, part of the camp's ongoing care for the cemetery as part of the Guardian program.  The Dragoons also had one former member present himself for reinstatement, a transfer from a sister camp Douglas Butler,  one new member finalize his application and another new member present who has already submitted his application. This is great news as we keep growing as a camp and an organization to carry forth the Charge.  One of the new members has already stepped forward with great ideas for selling Confederate merchandise to help generate money for the camp's activities and has found two overseas suppliers.  

The program for September was a video of a television presentation from the early 1960’s featuring War Between the States music, " A Nation United, The Big Picture". When Dixie was played by the US Army band and sung by the Army choir, everyone stood and sang along. Other songs were featured that were popularized in the north and south and included "The Bonnie Blue Flag" and "Yellow Rose of Texas" as well as the less well received "Battle Hymn of the Republic".  Interesting to note the unity of those in the video presentation honoring both sides from this bloody conflict at the centennial of the War fro Southern Independence, just fifty years ago and contrasting that to today's environment. 

Rob Heyward, a new applicant for membership, gave a report on the Forgotten Alabama Soldier monument dedication that was held at Confederate Memorial Park in Luverne recently. Rob was very impressed with and touched by the dedication service and the friendliness of the hundreds of people attending the event and he gave a great report-out. 

At the end of the meeting, Brigade Commander Godwin surprised us by presenting National awards to Commander Stuart Waldo for Leadership and a National SCV Commendation and medal to Communication Officer Larry Spears.  A very humbling experience for the recipients. Attendance was good with just shy of 30 at the meeting and many enjoyed the special of the night which only cost 70 cents in honor of Shoney’s 70th birthday, another nice surprise. 

Commander Waldo led the camp in the reading of the Charge and presenting the camp news and upcoming events and Chaplain Snowden presented a wonderful devotional as well as the Invocation and Benediction. Compatriot Karl Wade made a number of announcements including a fundraiser for Crimestoppers and the Salvation Army Kettle Ringing which the Dragoons will participate in again this year.  This meeting also marked the first of the canned food drive for the Thanksgiving season where the camp will donate all food raised to a local food bank. 




Sunday, September 10, 2017

Prattville Dragoons Chaplain's Column for September 2017

From the Camp 1524 Dispatch newsletter.

Chaplain’s Column – Godly Living in an Ungodly Age
Titus 1:1-16
     Our Founding Fathers created a governing framework based upon biblical principles. Slowly, we have changed from “one nation under God” to a group of people who no longer want Him to be involved.
     Tragically, we’ve become, in numerous ways, an ungodly nation: many are driven by materialism and power; immorality and rebellion are prevalent; empty philosophy and false doctrine are widely acceptable. Underlying it all is a vocal decision to take God out of the nation’s “official business.”
     Yet even in an unbelieving society, people can, as individuals, follow Jesus. But the world will continually spread faulty teachings, so believers must be discerning. Otherwise, erroneous messages can lead Christians to compromise their convictions. Then affections and priorities may change. Don’t let the world’s clamor make the Spirit’s voice less audible. Without His guidance, our minds become vulnerable to lies.
     The Word of God is a compass that keeps us headed in the right direction—even in the midst of confusing messages all around. We need to be consistently filled with truth by reading, believing, meditating upon, and applying Scripture. God also tells us to “pray without ceasing” (1 Thess. 5:17). If our minds are focused upon Him, unholy beliefs will not be able to take root.
     The Word is our guidebook. We will still face difficulty as we live in this imperfect world—it is a confusing, dark place that entices us but never fulfills our true longings. Yet God’s truth will bring confidence and boldness, and His Spirit will direct and strengthen, enabling us to live victoriously.
     Please remember all of those on our prayer list.

Friday, September 8, 2017

Prattville Dragoons Commander's Column for September 2017

From the Camp 1524 Dispatch newsletter.

Commander's Column: Social Media, Twitter and Fake News


Almost as big as the headlines nowadays are the revelations of fake news produced by the main stream media.  Examples are the eporting on selective polling such as for political election races, selective research such as that pertaining to climate change, distorted public approval surveys for heritage preservation and, virtue signaling thru selective coverage of riotous confrontations such as the reports of the recent melee in Charlottesville .  Many of the news outlets have earned humorous acronyms describing the incoherent editorials presented as some unbelievable brand of journalism.  Many consumers have started to use  social media as an alternative to these agenda driven main stream media outlets.  I have started to read the camp’s Twitter feed in an attempt to receive a more accurate , more pertinent source of news and current events.  President Trump himself has adopted Twitter to communicate his thoughts and decisions directly to the American public to circumvent the bias and misrepresentation of his policies by the MSM.   As part of our camp’s online presence, we have a blof formatted website (theprattvilledragoons.blogspot.com) a Facebook page, as well as a Twitter account (@SCVDragoons) which are constantly updated with current events and activities.  I would encourage you to follow Camp 1524 on one or more of these social media formats. We now have almost 500 followers on Facebook and Twitter. We need voices on social media to further heritage defense and historical accuracy. 
Since the escalation of attacks on heritage preservation efforts there has been a torrent of Twitter posts highlighting the misguided efforts of historical revisionists and outright anarchists to destroy sacred and honored memorials as well as endeavors to preserve heritage sites and the true proud Southern narrative of liberty and bravery exhibited by our ancestors.  I wanted to share some of the Twitter tweets posted on our feed which have elicited a lot of support by heritage activists such as the Virginia Flaggers and many more. Enjoy and follow us at @SCVDragoons.
@SCVDragoons - The beautiful St. Andrew's Cross Confederate Battle Flag. Symbol of resistance to tyranny around the world. (to Quantrill’s Revenge - It's the precise symbol of freedom from Washington tyranny. No different from the original US flag that marked freedom from British tyranny).
@SCVDragoons - Progressive PC posturing. Why would a Citadel alumnus not appreciate and revere the history of the institution? Ridiculous sorry panderers. (to Civil War Saga - Citadel alumni renew pressure to remove Confederate flag from chapel)
@SCVDragoons · Great op-ed by descendent of this great Confederate cavalry General. Don't attempt to erase history. Consider sacrifices they made for VA. (to Confederate Quarrels - J.E.B. Stuart V: Confederate monuments can be a starting point of honest discussion)
@SCVDragoons · Perfectly stated. Just imagine these widows and mothers who lost their sons erecting these statues for ...  glorifying slavery. I think not. (to Confederate Quarrels - Stop ignorance about Confederate monuments)
@SCVDragoons - Sitting in Dallas airport, can't wait to leave with this nauseating news. These bigots are literally trying to out-virtue-signal each other. (to Confederate Quarrels - City Council Resolution Calls for Removal of All Dallas Confederate Monuments)
@SCVDragoons - Vast majority want monuments and historic statues to remain preserved. Richmond monuments are on National Register of Historic Places. Not PC, (to Confederate Quarrels - In the former capital of the Confederacy, the debate over statues is personal and painful)
@SCVDragoons - As do attacks on Confederate soldiers. Those who do need a history lesson. Respect, honor those brave soldiers who defended home and family. (to Attacks on Jefferson come from 'lack of knowledge')
@SCVDragoons - General Lee sought to achieve what already existed? I think not. He sought to defend his family and his home state. Whoever gave Kevin Levin a history degree should lose their accreditation. The US circa 1861-1865 (and before) was a slaveholding republic. (in response to CNN post on SCV members erecting new monuments)
@SCVDragoons - Yes, stand against violent intimidation. Preserve these historic monuments from the uneducated intolerant revisionist anarchist bigots. (to Confederate Quarrels)
@SCVDragoons - Sen. Book needs a book/history lesson. Confederacy didn't declare war on US, Lincoln did by resupplying Sumter and invading Southern states (to Confederate Quarrels - State Senator Files Bill To Eliminate Florida’s Confederate Holidays)
@SCVDragoons - The people of the state should decide. Otherwise PC grandstanding progressive local pols will undermine will of people/law like B'ham AL mayor. (to Confederate Quarrels - At Issue: Who should decide if Confederate monuments stay or go?)
@SCVDragoons -This seems to be not only incredibly ignorant but illegally discriminatory. Discriminate based on name? #ESPN PC stupidity. (to All American Girl - ESPN Pulls Announcer for Having Same Name as Confederate General)
@SCVDragoons - Next the founders, the Constitution and, the Bible. This is indicative of the progressive agenda from the Vatican. Don't deny Jesus Christ. (to Confederate Quarrels - California Catholic school takes away statues of Jesus, Mary in ‘an effort to be inclusive’)
@SCVDragoons - Precisely. It is the ignorant masses who like lemmings gravitate to the PC hysteria instead of pausing to reflect on true Southern history. (to Confederate Quarrels - Monument mayhem, history hysteria, rooted in poor public education).
@SCDragoons - Exactly.  Founders and patriots of a different time who shaped America and made it great.  But Antifa/BLM don't want America great again. The bigot Antifa and BLM want nothing short than the destruction of America and all vestiges of liberty. (to Nigel Farage - I am very pleased @POTUS had made this point. We must not rewrite American history to suit the hard left.)

Wednesday, September 6, 2017

Upcoming Events for Confederate Compatriots

From the Prattville Dragoons Camp Dispatch newsletter.

AL Division SCV Joe Wheeler Birthday Celebration – Saturday September 9th, 10am at the Wheeler Plantation at Pond Spring just west of Hillsboro AL on Hwy 20 featuring cavalry demonstrations, house tours, food etc

Prattville Dragoons Camp Meeting – Thursday September 14th at 7pm at the Shoney’s in Prattville on Cobbs Ford Rd

Prattville Dragoons Fall Muster – October 14th, 10am, at Will Dismukes property in Millbrook AL – clay shooting, BBQ

Private Richard Head Grave Marking – hosted by the General Richard Montgomery Chapter SAR, Saturday October 21, 2017 at Bethlehem Cemetery near Louisville AL; the Dragoons will participate with laying of a wreath

Prattville Dragoons Christmas Social – Saturday December 9th at Buena Vista at 6pm featuring Smokin S banquet