A great crowd assembled on the steps of the Alabama State capitol building to honor their Confederate forebears and enjoy a Celebration of Confederate Memorial Day hosted by the Sons of Confederate Veterans on Saturday April 20, 2024. Prattville Dragoons SCV Camp 1524 members in attendance included Commander Waldo and his children, Quartermaster Myrick, Doug Butler who served in the reenactment color guard, and compatriots Larry Spears, Rob Schwartz and Tyrone Crowley; not shown are compatriots Mike Thomas and Thomas Griffith. The program was called to order by AL Division Commander Mike McMurry who presented another check (annually donated) to the Alabama State Archives for their continued work for the preservation and conservation of artifacts from the War Between the States. The reenactment color guard posted the colors and then the Division Chaplain provided an Invocation. Greetings were offered by representatives from other heritage organizations including the UDC, Order of Confederate Rose, Mechanized Cavalry, Military Order of the Stars and Bars and the SCV Army of Tennessee. Dragoons Commander Waldo's daughter who donned a beautiful period dress even gave an impromptu greetings from the Children of the Confederacy which she recently joined. The keynote speaker was former SCV Commander in Chief Kelly Barrow who gave a rousing speech imploring all to step up in the defense of the Cause especially in educating our youth and the next generations. Everyone was then invited to state the name of one or more of their Confederate veteran ancestors and a bell was rung in their memory. The color guard as well as a barrage of cannons set up on Dexter Avenue then provided three rounds of a salute. The boom and billowing smoke from the cannons was most impressive. Taps was played by a bugler. Everyone joined in singing Dixie and the chaplain then closed the program with a Benediction. Following, a wreath was laid at the memorial monument on the side of the capitol building. It was an impressive Confederate Memorial Day program enjoyed by all including a number of passers-by.
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