Merry Christmas from the Prattville Dragoons Sons of Confederate Veterans Camp 1524

 

Prattville Dragoons Sons of Confederate Veterans Camp 1524 at Vida Christmas Parade

 After the cancellation of a number of Christmas events due to COVID, the Vida community held fast and hosted their annual Christmas parade on Saturday December 19th.  This is always an enjoyable event and a wonderful small town Christmas parade.  This year, even more spectators and participants wishing for a merry Christmas and a sense of normalcy in this tumultuous year.  The Prattville Dragoons SCV Camp 1524 again participated with a truck emblazoned with the camp's Christmas banner and Confederate Battle flags all around.  Commander Waldo with his children, Quartermaster Myrick, and compatriots Larry Spear and Rob Schwartz participated throwing candy and SCV coins and handing out hundreds of mini-Battle flags to the spectators lining county road 19.  Afterward, the gracious Vida volunteers provided a boxed BBQ lunch for all the parade participants and spectators.  The Dragoons paused to enjoy this meal together sitting about the bed of the truck and enjoying this festive holiday event for as long as possible.  

Prattville Dragoons Sons of Confederate Veterans Christmas Social 2020

The Dragoons of Camp 1524 held their annual Christmas Social on Friday evening December 18th at the historic Buena Vista antebellum mansion in Prattville.  Members and guests enjoyed a social hour starting a little before 6pm enjoying some General Lee eggnog and apple pie moonshine provided by Comms Officer Doug Butler and his wife.  A delicious meal was catered by Smokin S BBQ out of Wetumpka and toward the end of the social hour hostess Stacey volunteered that her son Michael could play the piano in the parlor. Phenomenal.  After a few songs to conclude the Social, after meal service and as everyone enjoyed their supper of smoked turkey, dressing, sweet potato casserole and green bean casserole with desserts, Michael again played a collection of Christmas songs.  To start the program Commander Waldo introduced the camp officers in attendance, welcomed the special guests and recited the Charge to the Sons of Confederate Veterans.  Then, 1st Lt Grooms read a Forrest Christmas poem which was penned by Lee Millar.  The Dragoons welcomed back Robert Adelson from Missouri who played his fiddle and banjo for a few songs including The Bonnie Blue Flag and Dixie.  He showed an 1880s photograph of his great grandfather, a Real Son of a Confederate Veteran, also holding a fiddle.  Robert's Montgomery ancestors lived in the Buena Vista house and so he volunteered his family's personal information during the history presentation by Darlene Leistner of the Autauga County Heritage Association which owns and manages the property.  Commander Waldo and his wife and Adjutant Sutherland conducted the doorprize drawing which included the wonderful table centerpieces provided by Quartermaster Myrick and his wife.  1st Lt Grooms led everyone in the singing of a number of classic Christmas carols to conclude the program.  After Mr. Adelson and 1st Lt Grooms led everyone in a rousing Dixie, Chaplain Brantley reminded everyone of the true meaning of and reason for Christmas and sent everyone off with a benediction to close the evening.  It was a very enjoyable evening to spend with Confederate compatriots to bring the tumultuous year to a close with a sense of normalcy and holiday fellowship. 

Prattville Dragoons SCV Camp 1524 Volunteer to Ring the Bell at the Salvation Army Red Kettle

Saturday December 5th and 12th, members of the Sons of Confederate Veterans Camp 1524 manned the Salvation Army red kettle in front of the Prattville Winn Dixie to ring the bell and take donations for this worthy charitable organization.  The Dragoons have turned this into an annual community service event for the camp expanding from one to two Saturdays this year.  On Saturday the 5th, compatriots Dale Boyle, Tyrone Crowley, Larry Spears, Sam Reid, and Rob Schwartz worked shifts throughout the day along with camp Commander Waldo, Adjutant Sutherland, Color Sgt Dennis, Quartermaster Myrick and 2nd Lt Wade.  The report of receipts showed an outstanding day for the charity with the kettle providing over twice the amount of donations as for their average.  

On Saturday December 12th, compatriot Rob Schwartz anchored two separate shifts in the afternoon and the evening working the red kettle at the Winn Dixie.  Commander Waldo, Color Sgt Dennis and 2nd Lt Wade again participated along with Tyrone Crowley and Sam Reid.  Additionally, camp Treasurer Billy Leverette and Chaplain Brantley worked shifts ringing the bell.  The men are always quick to wish passers-by a merry Christmas and thank them for their generosity which encourages this charitable giving to the Salvation Army. It is a terrific way for SCV Camp 1524 to bring the spirit of Christmas giving to our community of Prattville. 

Prattville Dragoons SCV Camp 1524 Chaplain's Column for December 2020 - Christmas Wishes

         Well, we have made it to December. Many of us will be glad to turn the page on 2020,

In the darkness of this year, how did we, as Christians, respond with light?

Our camp gave money to those who were in need and food for those without.

Later this month several members will “ring the bell” for the Salvation Army.

I encourage each of you to participate in this and other events in your church and community to help those in time of crisis as Christ commands us to do.

 

I thought it would be a great way to end this year with the story of the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Remember in times of darkness to look for the star!

 

Luke 2:1-20 KJV

“And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.”

 

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Prattville Dragoons SCV Camp 1524 Commander's Column for December 2020 - Personal Responsibility and Accountability for Liberty and Freedom

A month following the national elections, the final outcomes are still very much in question.  Despite the Main Stream media coronating Joe Biden as President-elect, President Trump has a number of lawsuits in process challenging the result on the basis of voter fraud from tampering with voting machines to introducing thousands of fictitious mail-in ballots.  Hearings are ongoing in a number of still contested states.  House and Senate races are still being counted including a runoff scheduled in Georgia.  We will be witness to a full exercise of our founding father’s constitutional provisions for ensuring legitimate elections or we will be subject to a disputed electorate. Our Alabama House Representative Mo Brooks has indicated he will be challenging some states’ electoral college results as illegitimate because of the rampant fraud and "flawed election systems".  And again the COVID pandemic has escalated with larger numbers of infected and hospitalized than the initial wave earlier this spring as flu season comes upon us.  Now again, cities and states are locking down despite the “science” that is proving that we have developed better insight into the targeted population this virus affects and have developed and have at our disposal better prevention protocols and treatments for the virus. 

We read about it and watch news stories of these lockdowns across the country.  A New York restaurant proprietor was arrested for daring to violate an order issued by Mayor Deblasio prohibiting eateries from opening, declaring his establishment an “autonomous zone”.  But similar draconian restrictions have happened right here in Alabama, in Montgomery and even Prattville.  Montgomery has implemented curfews and locked down restaurants, clubs and churches.  Prattville just announced they would have a Christmas parade (after the cancellation of their Independence Day parade in July) and then reversed the decision and cancelled it.  I took the opportunity to write the mayor and the event coordinator noting our disappointment with the cancellation saying, “That is the troubling aspect to the reactions to this COVID thing, that local and state governments feel the need to tell their citizenry how they must handle the situation instead of giving them the information and letting them make the decision for themselves.   That is kinda the basis of our liberty and freedom.” 

I’ll give the mayor props that he did call me in  response to my email saying that they were concerned about the thousands of people who come from the tricounty area to the parade and apparently them being concerned of a (potential) super-spreader event.  I granted my appreciation that he feels like he needs to guide those who are either unwilling or uneducated enough to not be able to make a good decision for themselves and their families. Therein lies the crux.   Our nation’s founders believed in an educated informed electorate who could responsibly exercise their freedoms and liberty.  They believed in moral values based on Judeo-Christian principles.  I am not sure if they could foresee a world brought so close together by technology enabling a pandemic spread like we have witnessed.  I am not sure if they could foresee an election process utilizing technology and systems which could be compromised and/or an epidemic used as an excuse for altering voting processes and verifications which could enable fraudulent vote tabulations. 

It is time for those who love their liberty and freedom to stand in the gap to defend these God-given rights and proclaim that they demand personal accountability and responsibility of ourselves and our elected and appointed leaders.  General Robert E. Lee said, “Duty is the sublimest word in the English language.  You should do your duty in all things. You can never do more. You should never wish to do less.” Our SCV Charge implores us to emulate the virtues of our Confederate forebearers, heroes and “the perpetuation of those principles which he loved and which made him glorious, and which you also cherish.”  Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas, continued health and safety and, a prosperous and Happy New Year.  

Prattville Dragoons Sons of Confederate Veterans Camp 1524 Make Thanksgiving Season Donation to Autauga Interfaith Care Center

 Thursday November 19th members of the Prattville Dragoons SCV Camp 1524 made a donation of non-perishables and cash to the Autauga Interfaith Care Center to help the needy in the community in the leadup to the Thanksgiving holiday. That afternoon 2nd Lt Karl Wade, Comms Ofc Doug Butler, and compatriot Rob Schwartz delivered over 100 pounds of dry and canned goods and also presented a check for $500 from the camp to AICC.  Paul Whaley also stopped by the Care Center and dropped off another 30 cans of pasta and mac n cheese as part of the Dragoons food drive.  This annual Thanksgiving canned food drive is in addition to donations the Dragoons made to AICC earlier in the year as part of COVID response, a community apartment fire relief fund and, firewood from the Indian Hill hurricane cleanup.  SCV Camp 1524 doing good work in the Prattville community for our neighbors.  

Upcoming Events for Confederate Compatriots

Prattville Christmas Parade – Friday December 4^th 7pm at the downtown courthouse - cancelled

Salvation Army Red Kettle Bell Ringing – Saturday December 5^th and 12^th, 9am-8pm, Prattville Winn Dixie

Dragoons Christmas Social – Friday December 18^th 6-9pm at the historic Buena Vista mansion

Vida Christmas Parade – Saturday December 19^th 2pm at the Vida Community Center

Millbrook Revelers Mardi Gras Parade and Festival – Saturday February 6th, 9am festival and 11am parade, Main St

Prattville Dragoons SCV Camp 1524 Meeting for November 2020

Twenty compatriots gathered together on Thursday evening November 12th for the Camp 1524 monthly meeting at the Prattville Masonic Lodge downtown.  Chaplain Brantley opened the meeting with an Invocation followed by the pledges and salutes to the flags led by Color Sgt Dennis.  Commander Waldo read Stephen Dill Lee's Charge to the Sons of Confederate Veterans and then presented the upcoming events and announcements.  Sign up sheets for the Salvation Army bell ringing time slots and the invitations to the Christmas Social were passed around in addition to a checklist for planning activities for the 2021 Division Reunion which the camp is hosting.  A number of folks brought in non-perishables for the camp's Thanksgiving canned food drive to benefit the Autauga Interfaith Care Center. 

Dr. Brandon Beck was the guest speaker for the November camp meeting and he spoke about the logistics and troop movements leading up to the Battle of Okolona in Mississippi.  Dr. Beck provided a handout which included maps of the western portion of Tennessee and northwest Mississippi thru which General N.B. Forrest moved his troops to evade the Yankee army about railroad lines and across rivers of the region.  Dr. Beck always provides great detail and paints a picture so that you can virtually see the characters and the action.  

Following the presentation, Commander Waldo recited the SCV Closing and the Chaplain provided a Benediction to see everyone off safely to their homes.  Many stopped by the back table where Dr. Beck had copies of a number of his books including "Winchester's Three Battles" as well as "The Battle of Okolona: Defending the Mississippi Prairie" for purchase.  It was a very enjoyable meeting and time of fellowship, an opportunity to see regulars, new members and those who have been away for some time.  

Prattville Dragoons Commander's Column for November 2020 - Sectional Acrimony Brings Rise in Predictions of Secession

 I have spent the past few days deliberately staying away from all main stream media news feeds.  The lead up to the November 3rd elections with the preposterous polling has again proven the slant and bias of the MSM as the inevitability of a progressive socialist tsunami and takeover was irrefutably illustrated by insurmountable Dem leads in all the polls.  And now we find ourselves two days later still awaiting results which for some reason in the 21st century with computerized balloting is an excruciatingly long process with absentee votes to seemingly appear from thin air and the backs of automobile trunks with secretive tallying.  It appears the Presidential race is still undecided days after the polls closed with reports varying hour by hour.  The Senate races appear to be somewhat more definitive with the GOP retaining slim control in what has been described as a firewall against the increasingly left leaning House.  This election cycle has been described as the most important of our lifetimes. 

There is a stark contrast between the platforms of the GOP espousing a robust capitalist economic policy with low taxes and deregulation as opposed to the Democrats advertised massive New Green Deal plans and promised $4.7 trillion tax increase.  In response to the Republicans confirming Amy Coney Barrett as Trumps latest Supreme Court appointment, the Democrats have fielded ideas to pack the court, creating additional seats to fill with liberal justices and to push for statehood for the liberal Washington DC enclave and for Puerto Rico.  The former is a direct assault on the Constitutional concepts of equal and separate branches of government. The latter would be an attempt to secure for the foreseeable future, a Democrat majority in the legislative branch and a far more difficult hurdle for conservatives in the electoral college in Presidential elections.  Dem Senator Barbara Boxer in 2017 even introduced legislation to eliminate the electoral college and current Dems have further pushed this radical agenda ( https://www.cnn.com/2019/04/02/politics/senate-democrats-electoral-college-constitutional-amendment/index.html) which would destroy the protections our founders put  in place to prevent sectional dominance in the United States government. 

Even still, with the population centers of California and New York disproportionately affecting the results of nationwide elections and the real threat of additional liberal states or moving to a strict popular voting process, what does this current election cycle and political climate bode for the future of our country.  In 1860 the threat of additional non-slave states being added to the country from the western territories was a primary impetus for the secession of the Southern states.  They viewed that as a political strategy to ensure Republican political dominance and along with the increased tariffs (taxes) promised by the Republicans in their election platform to build industries and railroads centered in the North, the destruction of the Southern economic system and way of life.  The Democrats today are promising massive tax hikes, the appropriation of the federal treasury to pet green industries and progressive social causes and organizations, and the governmental control of private industries thru massive regulations.  They openly espouse the further infringement of Constitutional rights including the right to bear arms and religious liberty and freedom of speech which their militant fringes have been violently attacking on college campuses and town squares across the country for the past few years.  They dare violate the sanctity of life codifying the right to kill full term babies.

Where does that leave the future of our country?  For the first time since our forefathers fought for Southern state’s independence, the concept of secession has moved to the main stream of debate.  Groups in California (https://yescalifornia.org/) and Texas (https://texassecede.com/?_sm_nck=1) have actively sought referendums on secession.  In this heated recent election cycle, others have predicted the dissolution of the country.  Conservative talk show host Ben Shapiro had a guest on Monday, the day before the election, who predicted  “within six years” the United States would break apart into perhaps 50 separate and sovereign nation states.  The same day, Financial analyst David Rosenberg predicted “the U.S. could find itself broken into more than one country as unrest and acrimony grip the electorate” (https://www.marketwatch.com/story/the-u-s-could-split-up-gundlach-says-heres-how-hed-invest-for-that-11604352902?reflink=mw_share_twitter)  Apart from the political and economic disagreements rife within our society, for decades we have been battling moral imperatives such as the right to life guaranteed in the Declaration of Independence.  Prattville’s city council just passed a resolution proclaiming the city as “a safe city for pre-born children and lives in all stages.” (https://www.wsfa.com/2020/11/04/prattville-council-passes-first-its-kind-resolution-alabama/?outputType=amp)  Who would have thought such a proclamation necessary but, that resolution wouldn’t have seen the light of day in Pelosi’s San Francisco.  We have been fighting the repercussions of the government removing prayer from the schools for generations now, that and the diminishment of a real education including civics and true history (as well as foundational basic reading and arithmetic).  The result - our nation’s  youth have devolved into ignorant entitled anarchists.  Is the fracturing of the Unites States into perhaps a federated union like the EU a viable solution to preserve state sovereignty and help eliminate the sectional acrimony we have seen explode across our nation?

Prattville Dragoons Chaplain's Column for November

 Chaplain’s Column  - Anxious Times for Our Nation and Ourselves

I am typing this on Election Day. I have prayed and voted and I hope you did both as well. I have also been in prayer and scripture over the last weeks and have asked for God to bless the results of this election for all offices.

   Now we all anxiously await the results.

   Wait, why would we be anxious if we know God is in control?

   Philippians 4:6 reminds us, “In nothing be anxious; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made know unto God” (ASV).

   Easier said than done, right?  I know. But you will notice in the above scripture the word thanksgiving. At the end of this month we have a holiday by that same name where we gather around the table with family and friends and give thanks to God.       

   I was reminded at Church recently that while me may not get what we want when we want it, but God is on the throne and has a plan for your life. I was also reminded that there are people out there right now who are praying for what you and I already have.

   We may not get the answer we want or when we want it, but let us gather around the table this Thanksgiving and “Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good! His gracious love exists forever” (Psalm 107:1) (ISV).    

   I ended last month’s column with these words and felt they needed to be said once more: gentlemen, do not spend all your time on the worries of the world and Man, but rather get in to the Word. Make sure you are spending each day in prayer and reading your Bible. Remember, He wants a relationship with you!  And while you are in worship with Him, Please pray for our country, the State of Alabama, our organization and camp.

Amen.

 

May God continue to watch over you and your families and protect you all.

And may God save the South!

Remember those on our prayer list. 

Prattville Dragoons SCV Camp 1524 Complete Seasonal Grounds Maintenance at Robinson Springs Cemetery

Despite temperatures still hovering in the 70s, with the slow approach of fall, the grass growth has slowed.  But Robinson Springs cemetery still needed one more mowing for the season til the grass went dormant.  Quartermaster Bill Myrick went there on Saturday November 7th and mowed around all the grave markers and trees and then on Tuesday the 10th Connor Lee brought  his riding zero turn mower to finish the larger areas of the cemetery.  Many thanks to these dedicated compatriots who worked the grass cutting to get the cemetery in kept appearance for the winter.  The Dragoons help maintain Robinson Springs Cemetery as part of the Sons of Confederate Guardian Program.  Robinson Springs is the final resting place of many veterans (including Confederates) and other founding citizens of the Robinson Springs community which predates Millbrook AL in this area. 

The Dragoons and friends had worked at Indian Hill cemetery to remove a fallen tree from one of the season's hurricanes including taking loads of cut wood to the Autauga Interfaith Care Center to donate as firewood to the community's needy.  Color Sgt John Dennis worked at Indian Hill to burn the remaining limbs to finish the cleanup.  Indian Hill is the final resting place of a number of Confederate veterans including original Dragoons and founders citizens of the Indian Hill community which predates Prattville.  

Upcoming Events for Confederate Compatriots

Prattville Dragoons November Camp Meeting – Thursday Nov. 12^th, 6:45pm, Masonic Lodge, 100 Maple St, Prattville AL

Salvation Army Red Kettle Bell Ringing – Saturday December 5^th and 12^th, 9am-8pm, Prattville Winn Dixie

Dragoons Christmas Social – Friday December 18^th 6-9pm at the historic Buena Vista mansion

Millbrook Revelers Mardi Gras Parade and Festival – Saturday February 6th, 9am festival and 11am parade, Main St

Sons of Confederate Veterans Camp 1524 Dragoons Donate to Prattville Fire Relief Effort

 A disastrous fire destroyed a Prattville apartment building earlier in October and a plea went out to the community to help with clothes and home goods and donations for the families affected.  The Dragoons of SCV camp 1524 answered the call by donating a check for $500 to the Fire Victim Relief fund and presented the check to Ms. Josette Dudle of the Autauga Interfaith Care Center in downtown Prattville on Thursday October 29th.  2nd Lt Karl Wade had previously made contact with the Prattville City Hall regarding how to direct the donation. Compatriot Tyrone Crowley delivered the check and was thanked for the camps continued generosity in community service initiatives.   

Sons of Confederate Veterans Dragoon Bill Branch Volunteers Expertise for Prattaugan Museum

             Prattville Dragoons Camp Member Bill Branch made staff and board members very happy at the Prattaugan Museum on Wednesday 14 October 2020, when he managed to find a way to get a century-old music box to play.  Staff at the Museum had been hoping to hear music from it ever since it was donated in 2017.  The music box is important for local history because it belonged to the Northington family and is similar to one owned by Daniel Pratt.  The music box was originally in the Northington House in Prattville, Alabama.

                With the recent passing of Dragoon James Spears, Bill at age 85 is now the eldest member of our camp.  Bill is a retired mainframe computer field engineer and technical instructor, and is quite good at resolving mechanical and technical problems.  When he learned of the problem with the music box, he volunteered to look at it and see what he could do to get it to play.

                Bill spent three hours studying, cleaning and lubricating, and making adjustments to the Olympia Music Box, which plays large metal discs. Thanks to Bill, the music box can now be enjoyed again by visitors to the Prattaugan Museum.  Not surprisingly, Bill's assistance to the Museum here has made him the object of much praise and gratitude both from the board and members of the Autauga County Heritage Association.  The music box will require further repair, and Bill has helped locate an expert in Georgia who will be coming over to assess what's needed.

                Bill is descended from Branch, Peyton and Oglesby families, from  Memphis, and Shelby County Tennessee.  In addition to his membership in the Dragoons, Bill is a member St. Mark's Episcopal Church,  the Autauga Genealogical Society, The Sons of the American Revolution, The Peyton Society of Virginia, First Families of Tennessee and shoots skeet weekly with the Chilton County Gentlemen's Gun Club.

                Bill joined the SCV using ancestor David Mitchell Sanders, whose father Charles Grandison Saunder was a plantation owner with 83 slaves to work the plantation.  When war broke out in 1861, Charles at 63, David and his brother Norval joined Company I of the 10th Mississippi Infantry Division.  Norval was wounded, but all three survived the war.  On Bill's mother's side, her paternal grandfather was Dr. Thomas Fleming Peyton, a civilian doctor during the War whose wife Martha Custis Woolsey (Peyton) was arrested by Federal authorities in Memphis for smuggling medicine through the Federal lines for her husband's patients out in the county and charged with spying.  Dr. Peyton's brother, Dr. Craven Peyton, was a Confederate Surgeon in Arkansas. These are Bill's direct ancestors.  He has many more collateral relatives that were loyal Confederates, as well.

Sons of Confederate Veterans Camp 1524 Donation of Firewood to Autauga Interfaith Care Center

The Prattville Dragoons, SCV Camp 1524 made a donation of fine oak firewood to the Autauga Interfaith Care Center on Thursday morning, October 22nd.  1st Lt Harold Grooms, 2nd Lt Karl Wade and Quartermaster Bill Myrick used their trucks to load the beds with cut firewood to haul it from Indian Hill cemetery to the AICC building in downtown Prattville.  This firewood was cut and split from the tree which fell during Hurricane Sally.  Previously a number of camp members and friends had put in a series of workdays cutting up the massive oak which fell in the winds overnight of September 16th after the hurricane made landfall three hours south near Gulf Shores AL as a category 2 storm.  The folks at AICC were thrilled to take receipt of the firewood as it is another way they can help families in need by providing this resource.  Denise Brown of the Autauga Interfaith Care Center was there on Thursday to thank the gentlemen for the donation and hard work.  

Sons of Confederate Veterans Camp 1524 Fall Muster

 The Dragoons of SCV Camp 1524 enjoyed a beautiful fall day on Saturday October 17th at the camp's fall muster.  The event was held at the Dismuke's property just south of Millbrook as it has for the past few years.  Close to thirty members and their friends and family were in attendance over the course of the morning and early afternoon as folks were able to shoot some clays and enjoy a BBQ picnic.  The camp provided pulled smoked pork butts and beverages.  1st Lt Grooms and 2nd Lt Wade brought a couple crock pots of camp stew.  Karl also brought Conecuh sausage which Will grilled for appetizers.  Quartermaster Myrick brought his world famous baked beans and hummingbird cake.  Others brought sides including potato salads, pasta salads and corn casserole in addition to desserts like brownies and cookies.  Too much good food.  A number of guys enjoyed shooting the clays with Commander Waldo and his children and Adjutant Sutherland helping to throw the targets.  Just before the picnic dinner was served a flag retirement ceremony was conducted to burn a number of old weather and worn US and Confederate flags in a fire pit.  1st Lt Grooms led the ceremony and Commander Waldo's daughter played Taps on the trumpet.  It was a lot of fun seeing some members who we don't get to see often at camp meetings and everyone's significant others.  Beautiful day, good food, wonderful fellowship and a great time.