Saturday, June 16, 2018

Prattville Dragoons SCV Camp 1524 Meeting for June 2018


It was a memorable camp meeting on Thursday night for the 30+ members and guests who attended  at a new meeting place which was changed on short notice when Shoney's in Prattville closed for good. The facilities at this temporary meeting place, the Prattville Masonic Lodge, were excellent and the meal provided by member Greg Swanner, wife Felicia and daughter Rachel was outstanding. Compatriot Will Dismukes made the arrangements to meet at the Lodge so many thanks to him and the officers of the Lodge for the accommodations.

1st Lt Harold Grooms led the meeting in the absence of camp Commander Waldo and provided the reading of the SCV Charge as well as announcements of upcoming events and items of note for the camp including the Dragoons' EC decision to donate a life size bronze bust of Nathan Bedford Forrest to the new SCV National Confederate Museum in Elm Springs. The Dixie Butt fund raiser was kicked off by distributing tickets to many members present. The butts remain $29 this year and tickets need to be distributed so the camp can sell as many tickets as possible before our distribution date of 11 August. 

The speaker for the evening was Compatriot Shannon Fontaine who spoke in first person as Confederate Navy Lt. Sardine Granham Stone from Mobile who told stories of his time on the CSS Florida and some of his colorful shipmates. As always, Shannon had a well researched topic and delivered it in factual and humorous style. 

Past Brigade Commander Butch Godwin was present to give out Brigade and Division awards that were presented at the recent Alabama Division Reunion. The Dragoons received the Brigade Camp of the Year award and as Butch said, narrowly missed receiving the state Camp of the Year award. Many individual awards were presented to deserving camp members. Butch has been an excellent Brigade Commander for the last 2 years helping the camp much during his term but will still participate in meetings and events with the Dragoons. 

His replacement as Brigade Commander is Dragoon Josh Stover who is “hitting the ground running” as the old saying goes. Josh spoke about the goals and objectives for the Brigade and the Division for the next 2 years. These goals include placing more Confederate monuments in the state and increasing training and communication at all levels in the Division.

There was a significant and touching presentation by 14 year old Dragoon member Tate Swanner. Tate is pursuing his Eagle Scout designation with the Boy Scouts and explained his Eagle Scout project. He is gathering funds and material to build and provide bookcases, tables, and chairs to the Blanket Fort Hope project; a non-profit organization to help victims of child human trafficking in the United States. This is a sad commentary on our society but it is happening. More details at this website: https://blanketforthope.org   

Tate needs funds and material to build and provide the aforementioned items to Blanket Fort Hope for these children to have a place to gather in peace, talk and read books as they are provided education. If you would like to donate to Tate’s project, make checks payable to BLANKET FORT HOPE with TATE SWANNER EAGLE PROJECT in the subject line. All donations are tax deductible. Checks can be mailed to

TATE SWANNER
1494 COUNTY ROAD 79
BILLINGSLEY, AL 36006 

Thee Swanners Catered a Meal for the Camp Meeting

Camp Meeting Attendees

Shannon Fontaine as Confederate Navy Lt. Sardine Granham Stone

Bill Gill and Harold Grooms Working Dixie Butt Tickets

Commander Waldo Receives Brigade Camp of the Year Award for the Dragoons

Brigade Commander Josh Stover

Greg and Tate Swanner Present Eagle Scout Project to Benefit Blanket Fort Hope


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