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.
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