Holiday Greetings and Merry Christmas from the Prattville Dragoons, Sons of Confederate Veterans Camp 1524

Sons of Confederate Veterans Camp 1524 as part of their annual ad campaign, is running ads on two electronic billboards in Prattville, at the intersection of Main St and Memorial Drive and on Hwy 14 at I-65.  For the week of Thanksgiving, an ad was run proclaiming the Southern history foundation of Thanksgiving including the original explorers settlements in St.Augustine and Berkley Plantation in Virginia predating those in New England as well as Confederate President Jefferson Davis’ Thanksgiving proclamation in October 1861, again predating the U.S. Presidents’.  The Christmas ad on a bright red holiday background wishes all blessings in the season celebrating our Saviour’s birth.  

Sons of Confederate Veterans Camp 1524 at the Vida Christmas Parade

A light rain did not dampen the spirit of the Prattville Dragoons compatriots who participated in the Vida community parade on Saturday afternoon December 21st.  The parade still attracted dozens of entrants and hundreds of spectators who lined AL County Road 19 and the Dragoons fielded a truck which carried the camp Christmas banner across the front grille and a 3x5ft Battle flag off the bed and Commander Waldo's purple Dodge Charger bedecked with Confederate Battle flag car flags on both sides.  A wide variety of classic cars, floats and public service vehicles made up the parade which rolled from the Vida community center south about a mile before doubling back to return.  A beautiful General Lee Dodge Challenger was also there but was not entered in the parade.  Commander Waldo, 2nd Lt Karl Wade, Quartermaster Bill Myrick, Color Sergeant John Dennis, and compatriots Tyrone Crowley and Larry Miller participated while members spectating included Jeff Jones and the Booth family.  Plenty of candy including candy canes, over one hundred mini-Battle flags and dozens of SCV recruiting coins were handed out by the Dragoons to children and young at heart along the parade route.  Following the parade, everyone enjoyed a delicious BBQ dinner including chopped smoked pork, baked beans, camp stew, potato salad and homemade desserts with donations to benefit the Vida community center.  It was a wonderful way to bring Christmas ever closer and a encouraging to see the public so warmly greet the Sons of Confederate Veterans entry.

Prattville Dragoons Christmas Social at Historic Buena Vista Antebellum Mansion

Sons of Confederate Veterans Camp 1524 celebrated Christmas with their annual Social at the beautiful Autauga County Heritage Associations Buena Vista antebellum mansion on Friday December 13th.   Those who braved the chilly rain enjoyed a festive atmosphere with the interior decorated with Christmas cheer.  Everyone also enjoyed the Christmas cheer elicited by the General Lee eggnog prepared by Tyrone Crowley.  The pianist entertained everyone during the social hour playing Christmas carols on the grand piano in the parlor.  Follwing the happy hour and arrival of all the guests, everyone enjoyed a delicious Christmas dinner catered by Smokin S BBQ of Wetumpka including smoked turkey, dressing, and sweet potato and green bean casseroles.  A special presentation of camp and Brigade certificates of appreciation were presented to compatriot Connor Lee and Color Sgt John Dennis for their contributions to the camp cemetery care projects.  Connor was recognized as the youngest member of Camp 1524, Darrell Haywood as the camp's newest member and, World War II veteran James Spears as the eldest.  Tyrone Crowley read a poem written by Bill Anthony which he wrote prior to his death; Bill and his wife Nicki Walton who was present as a guest of the Dragoons attended the Social for many years in period dress.  The curator caretaker of Buena Vista Darlene Leistner provided a history of the home during the program tying in the relationship with Daniel Pratt. Commander Waldo's wife read a Confederate soldier's Christmas poem and 1st Lt Harold Grooms led everyone in the singing of Christmas carols.  Compatriot Robert Adelson who made the trip to Alabama from St.Louis also played his banjo including "Dixie" as a special treat.  The culmination of the Social is always the doorprizes which are donated by a number of Dragoons including the wonderful manger table centerpieces which were provided by Quartermaster Myrick and his wife.  It was a wonderful event enjoyed by all to ring in the Christmas holidays. 

Sons of Confederate Veterans Attend Children's Christmas in the South Event at Confederate Memorial Park

Alabama Division Commander Carl Jones brought greetings from the SCV at the Christmas in the South program hosted by the Children of the Confederacy and the United Daughters of the Confederacy at Confederate Memorial Park on Saturday morning December 7th.  Carl conveyed the importance of the children to carry on the Charge and reminded them of the importance of the Southern states not just in the Confederacy but to the settlement of the colonies and their lead in the fight for independence and formation of the United States of America and the originalist government and founding documents.  Commander Waldo of SCV Camp 1524 brought his son and daughter to the event which was well attended with over a dozen children from the nearby CofC chapters.  It was a wonderful program with a tree decorated with old-fashioned ornaments and garland hung around the railing of the altar.  SCV Cradle of the Confederacy Camp 692 provided a color guard to post the colors including the U.S. flag, the Stainless Banner and the Christian flag.  The children then led the pledges and salutes to the flags which were followed by the singing of the representative songs including the "Star Spangled Banner", "Alabama", "Dixie's Land" and "Faith of our Fathers".  The CofC Creed and Ritual were then read by the Alabama Division CofC President Ms. Appleton.  The new Director of Confederate Memorial Park Calvin Chappelle welcomed everyone to the park which was followed by greetings from the Director of the CofC Ms. Buchanan and the Alabama Division UDC President Mrs. Rawlins.  Ms. Susan Gunn then presented a "Civil War Christmas" which included a recitation of "The Night Before Christmas" and a few of the children participated by holding up stockings and providing a timely "ho-ho-ho".  Everyone then enjoyed singing a number of well-known Christmas carols as the children held candle lanterns at the front of the church.  Following a Benediction, singing of "Blest by the Ties that Bind" as one last hymn and the retiring of the colors, the children laid a wreath at the park's main cemetery.  A delicious array of refreshments was then enjoyed which included chicken strips and nuggets, BBQ meatballs and cocktail weenies, a variety of sub and finger sandwiches, ham and cheese sliders, desserts and beverages.  What an enjoyable event and a wonderful way to start the holiday Christmas season in the old chapel at CMP and with a remembrance of our Confederate ancestors. 

Prattville Dragoons Sons of Confederate Veterans Camp 1524 Ring the Bell for the Salvation Army Red Kettle Campaign

On Saturday December 7th, members of Camp 1524 manned the Salvation Army red kettle at Winn Dixie in downtown Prattville, ringing the bell and offering "Merry Christmas" greetings to attract patrons to donate to the annual giving campaign.  Compatriots who helped ring the bell this Saturday included Adjutant Wayne Sutherland, Louis Turner, Bill Branch and Dale Boyles in the morning and Tyrone Crowley, Don Drasheff, Quartermaster Bill Myrick, Commander Stuart Waldo, Color Sgt John Dennis, and 2nd Lt Karl Wade (who coordinated the camp's effort with the Salvation Army office) filling in the afternoon slots.  Over $870 was collected in the kettle manned by the Dragoons on this Saturday greatly exceeding the $350-400 daily average for kettles around the Montgomery AL River Region.  This is a great community service project the camp has embraced over the past few years and supports a very worthy cause, the great work by the Salvation Army and their annual Christmas-time red kettle fundraising efforts.

New Confederate Monument Dedicated in Tallassee AL

The Tallassee Armory Guards Camp 1921 SCV monument was dedicated on Sunday December 8th. It overlooks the Tallapoosa River from downtown Tallassee, Alabama and is adjacent to AL Hwy-14.  The monument is impressive with a base constructed of brick faced  corners and granite monuments embedded into each face listing the Alabama Confederate veterans from the area and tributes to them as well as a listing of the states constituting the Confederacy and the dates of their secession around the top cornice.  Atop the base stands a Confederate soldier resting against his rifle and Confederate national flags and the Bonnie Blue fly on flagpoles forming a backdrop.  

The ceremony was well attended and period music was provided by the Tallassee Camp band " Whistlin Dixie".  A period color guard also provided service.  Alan Parker of the Montgomery SCV Semple Camp was there and found his grandfather listed on the monument.  The ladies of the Order of the Confederate Rose provided refreshments and a splendid time was had by all in attendance.  The Tallassee camp is to be commended for all the hard work making this memorial to our Southern heroes possible.