Dragoons Commemorate Confederate Memorial Day in Prattville

The Prattville Dragoons commemorated Confederate Memorial Day on Monday April 22nd at the Dragoons monument at the Prattville Primary School on Washington St.  The Dragoons program at 6pm followed another at the state capitol at 10am that morning which was hosted by the United Daughters of the Confederacy.  The program at the capitol was outstanding as described by Dragoons Larry Spears who was in attendance who indicated there were approximately 100 people there. The following was the account of the Dragoons ceremony by Communications Officer Tyrone Crowley:

Dragoon Memorial Service

Chaplain Snowden provided inspiring pre-program music, Commander Waldo did a fine job of leading his first memorial service as our Commander, and 1Lt Cmdr Grooms presented a history of Confederate Memorial Day in his usual polished manner.  Next, Lt Commanders Grooms and Booth set the wreath at the old Dragoon Monument, and our Reenactor Liaison Paul Whaley presented a salute by a six-man Honor Guard which he recruited.

            However, attendance was sparse.  If you were not present, you need to ask yourself why.  The ceremony is held in Prattville at 6 pm so those who work can attend.  If you didn't have a good reason not to be there, consider showing more support for your officers and more dedication to answering the SCV Charge.  What would your Confederate ancestor say, if he could speak to you?

Dragoons Commander Stuart Waldo's Address at the Confederate Memorial Day Program

1st Lt Harold Grooms Provides a History of Confederate Memorial Day

1st Lt Grooms and 2nd Lt Chris Booth Set the Memorial Wreath

Col. Paul Whaley and the Reenactors Present Arms

Invitation to Hear Dragoon Descendant

The Autauga County Heritage Association is sponsoring a presentation at the Prattaugan Museum, 102 East Main Street (across from City Hall, same side of Main Street) at 5:30pm on Thursday April 25, 2013.  The Museum will be open to host the event and the public and all Prattville Dragoons are encouraged to attend this talk.   

            The speaker is Kiana Davenport, a novelist who lives in Hawaii and New York.  She is descended from Warren Davenport, a private on the original roll of the Prattville Dragoons, and has researched him and Dragoon history.  She wants to come and talk about the Dragoons, and Daniel Pratt's support of them.  Most Dragoons may be familiar with these details, but the Prattville community and the Dragoons should support this effort by the Museum to promote Confederate and Dragoon history.  Dragoons Communication Officer Tyrone Crowley is a member of the Autauga County Heritage Association and send a personal invitation to this event for all.  The Dragoons are also planning to visit the museum as part of the camp's May meeting, so this will be a preview for that visit.

            Kiana Davenport is the daughter of a US Navy man from Alabama, Braxton Bragg Davenport, who married a native Hawaiian.  Through her mother she has Hawaiian and Chinese ancestry.

                                                What:  "Moments in Time", with speaker Kiana Davenport, whose topic is the Prattville Dragoons

                                                Where:  Prattaugan Museum, 102 East Main St., Prattville

                                                When:  Thursday, 25 April, 5:30 p.m.

Confederate Memorial Day Observances - Monday April 22, 2013

Monday April 22, 2013 is Confederate Memorial Day and the Prattville Dragoons will be commemorating this day with two events.  The first is a program sponsored by the United Daughters of the Confederacy and will be held at the Alabama state capitol at the Confederate Monument at 10am on Monday.

UDC Confederate Memorial Day Program Flyer

The Prattville Dragoons will host a Confederate Memorial Day program later the same day, at 6pm at the Dragoons Monument at the Prattville Primary School on Washington Street in downtown Prattville.  The following outlines the program which will include a wreath laying.

CONFEDERATE MEMORIAL DAY

MONDAY, 23 APRIL 2012 – 6 P.M.

                        FOURTH & WASHINGTON STREETS

                                            PRATTVILLE, ALABAMA

                                     PROGRAM

Music, to include "The Prattville Light Dragoon March"
Invocation	Tom Snowden, Chaplain
Welcome/Introduction of Officers/Recognition of Guests /Remarks	Stuart Waldo, Commander Other Camp Officers
History of Confederate Memorial Day and Prattville Monuments	Tyrone Crowley, Communications Officer
Placement of Memorial Wreath*	Lt Commanders Harold Grooms and Chris Booth, Adjutant Wayne Sutherland
Closing Remarks	Stuart Waldo, Commander
Benediction	Tom Snowden, Chaplain
"Dixie"	All, led by Lt Cmdr Grooms

Sponsored by The Prattville Dragoons, Camp 1524

Alabama Division, Sons of Confederate Veterans

Thanks to Re-enactors led by Col Paul Whaley, 33rd Alabama

*Wreath courtesy of Lee & Lan Florist, Montgomery

Prattville Dragoons Spring Picnic at Confederate Memorial Park

The following account and photos of the Dragoons picnic was provided by Communications Officer Tyrone Crowley:

First we must thank all (and they were many) who contributed to making this what some think was our best picnic ever.  An enthusiastic group composed of Dragoons, wives, and children showed up well before 9 a.m. to set 300+ Confederate Battle Flags on graves in the two cemeteries at Confederate Memorial Park.  Well-practiced and coordinated by Adjutant Wayne Sutherland, this group always makes short work of the flag-setting and finishes in under an hour.  Before the flag-setting, Dragoons Louis Turner Sr. and Jr. made short work of laying and taping covers over the tables at Pavilion 2, before Carol Crowley and the other ladies got things set up to begin serving ourselves. 

Then there is Chaplain Tom Snowden, who is the spiritual leader of all our meetings.  Tom provided live music and song before our program got underway, and started and ended the event with a prayer.  Next, we thank everyone who provided any part of the delicious food we enjoyed at the picnic.  1Lt Cmdr Harold Grooms picked up our three Fatman’s BBQ butts (donated by Dragoons Skip Ward and Bill Hamner), pulled them apart, and brought them in crock pots to the picnic.  Along with Dragoon Karl Wade, he also provided two gallons of camp stew, also kept hot in crock pots for the enjoyment of all.  This main dish, along with fried chicken and a delightful variety of side dishes and desserts provided by the others attending, made for a memorable meal and day.

As to the program, it was varied and spirited.  As mentioned above, Chaplain Tom Snowden blessed us with a couple of his inspirational songs and fine voice.  Then we got the business out of the way by swearing in our new group of officers, using the change-of-command sword donated two years by 1Lt Cmdr Harold Grooms.  Our enthusiastic new commander, Stuart Waldo, offered remarks on his vision for our Camp, mentioning Vision 2016 which is currently being promoted by our National officers.  Second on the program was Dragoon Jeffrey Jones, dressed in a splendid Confederate uniform, who gave an inspired talk on one of his Confederate ancestors.  Dragoon Jeff Potts, before describing for us items that he had brought to exhibit at the picnic, was awarded a Certificate of Appreciation for his long-time faithful service to the Dragoons, service that includes having been 2nd Lt Commander, Quartermaster, and Chaplain, in addition to offering our literature and information sheet to the public at many, many gun shows.  Finally, Chief Curator Bob Bradley of the Alabama Department of Archives and History spoke to us about his relation to the Confederate Memorial Park and how it came to be.  When Bob finished, Commander Waldo presented him with our annual $500 donation to the Archives fund to preserve Confederate Flags.



After a most pleasing meal of dishes too numerous to list here, Commander Waldo wrapped up be reminding everyone of events to come in this Confederate History and Heritage month and Chaplain Snowden sent us off with a closing prayer.  We ended on a rousing note by singing "Dixie".  As mentioned above, several people expressed the opinion that this was our best picnic ever.

Dragoons Flag Setting at Confederate Memorial Park


Mrs.Jones and grand-daughter



Chaplain Snowden Singing

Swearing-in of Dragoons Officers

Jeff Jones Presentation in Uniform

Ladies Leading the Picnic Charge

Prattville Dragoons Spring Picnic at Confederate Memorial Park

Saturday April 13th, the Prattville Dragoons held their annual spring picnic.  Many of the approximate 60 folks in attendance believed it to be the best picnic yet.  A great program with interesting speakers, beautiful cool clear spring weather, plenty of delicious food, as well as good fellowship with everyone including many children made it a memorable event.  Smoked Dixie butts, camp stew, fried chicken and sides including bakes beans, fruit and potato and pasta salads and a dozen desserts including pecan pie, peach cobbler and an amazing hummingbird pie were just some of the highlights of the picnic feast.

After the flag setting at the cemeteries there at Confederate Memorial Park, the picnic program began with some spirited music and singing by Chaplain Tom Snowden.  Chaplain Snowden then led the invocation followed by the pledges to the flags led by Commander Chris Booth.  1st Lt Harold Grooms then introduced the Change of Command ceremony which was conducted by Brigade Commander Bill Myrick who transferred the Prattville Dragoons sword from outgoing Commander Chris Booth to incoming Commander Stuart Waldo.  Commander Waldo then addressed the crowd with a message posted previously on this blog.  All the newly elected officers for the Dragoons were then sworn into office by Commander Myrick. 

Long time Dragoon Jeff Jones dressed in period Confederate uniform then provided a recollection of the service of his Confederate ancestor.  Former Quartermaster Jeffrey Potts was then presented a recognition award for his long service to Camp 1524 after which he provided information regarding a number of Confederate weapons and artifacts which he brought to show at the picnic.  The keynote speaker was Bob Bradley from the Alabama State Archives who was presented a $500 check for his exemplary ongoing flag preservation and restoration work at the Archives.  Bob gave a history of Confederate Memorial Park and highlighted his involvement with the establishment and development of the Park as a wonderful historic tourist destination for the state. 

Chaplain Snowden then blessed the food before everyone made their way through the line including seconds and maybe a third taste of the desserts.  As everyone finished their picnic lunch, Commander Waldo highlighted four upcoming events in April including the UDC Confederate Memorial Day program at the state capital in Montgomery, the Dragoons Confederate Memorial Day program at the Dragoons monument at the Prattville Primary School, a novel presentation by Dragoon descendant Miss Davenport on April 25th and, the Living History day encampment at the Confederate Memorial Park on Friday morning April 26th.  Chaplain Snowden then brought the program to a close with a benediction before he and Lt Grooms led the group with a rousing rendition of Dixie to send everyone home on a high note. 

Communications Officer Tyrone Crowley with Chaplain Tom Snowden

Adjutant Wayne Sutherland with Danny Smyth

1st Lt Harold Grooms and Karl Wade

Dragoons Change of Command Ceremony

Brigade Commander Bill Myrick Swearing in the Prattville Dragoons Officers

Jeff Jones Speaks of His Confederate Ancestor

Bob Bradley of the Alabama State Archives at the Dragoons Spring Picnic

Prattville Dragoons Flag Setting at Confederate Memorial Park

As part of the Dragoons annual spring picnic, flags were set at the Confederate cemeteries at the Confederate Memorial Park in Mountain Creek AL on Saturday morning, April 13th at 9am.  The flag setting at Confederate Memorial Park is part of the Dragoons observance of Confederate Heritage Month which culminates with Confederate Memorial Day which will be celebrated on April 22nd this year.  The flag setting throughout Confederate Heritage Month is one of the most important activities which the Prattville Dragoons annually conduct as part of their mission in following the SCV Charge.

It was a fabulous morning, a cool clear spring morning.  The rains a day prior softened the ground and allowed for the flags to be placed at each Confederate veterans tombstone with ease.  Hundreds of flags were placed at the graves and they looked beautiful when the wind stiffened them to attention.  The brilliant crimson Battle Flags contrasted with the green spring grass and white tombstones of these Confederate heroes.  This from ExploreSouthernHistory.com:

Confederate Memorial Park is a moving tribute to the men and boys that took up arms in defense of their home state during the War Between the States. Located on the site of Alabama's Old Soldiers Home for Confederate Veterans, the 102 acre park includes a museum, research facility and library, historic structures, ruins and two cemeteries containing over 200 Confederate soldiers. The home was founded by Montgomery lawyer Jefferson M. Faulkner, a Confederate veteran, to provide a comfortable home for his aging comrades. The complex operated from 1902 to 1939 and grew to 22 buildings.  in addition to cottages for the residents, there was a hospital, administration building, mess hall and dairy barn. At its height, the home was the residence of 91 Confederate veterans and 19 widows of veterans. 

Cemetery at Confederate Memorial Park

Setting Flags at Confederate Memorial Park Cemetery

Adjutant Wayne Sutherland with a Few of the Battle Flags

Brigade Commander Bill Myrick and Nephew at Flag Setting

Larry Spears and Grandson Nate at Confederate Memorial Park Pavilion

Contact the Memphis City Council to Preserve the City Parks Historical Confederate Names

From compatriot Lee Millar of the SCV in Memphis TN:

The Memphis City Council has created a Parks Naming Study Committee to recommend either retaining the original park names to our 3 CS parks or obtaining suggestions for new names.  We need to let them know that the majority of the people are for KEEPING the original historic names.

Let the avalanche begin!

Please send an email to the following Parks Study Committee members.  Here are their addresses.

PksStudyCommEmails

Bill.boyd@memphistn.gov; Harold.collins@memphistn.gov; bgbond@memphis.edu; dcupples@memphis.edu; dadallielama@aol.com; Pastorkeith4@aol.com; jogle@memphisriverfront.com; Michael_robinson@loc.edu; Larry.smith@memphistn.gov;

Recommended letter format:

To:  Parks Naming Study Committee

Dear Committee Member:

 "THE CIVIL WAR PARKS SHOULD NOT BE RENAMED.

THEY SHOULD KEEP THEIR HISTORIC NAMES OF FORREST PARK,

CONFEDERATE PARK, AND JEFFERSON DAVIS PARK."

Then give whatever reasons you wish.  Thus, there will be no question about where you stand (and no uncertainty to anybody keeping track of the numbers).

If you are from out of town, don't feel shy about saying that you have/are/or will travel to Memphis and that one of the important points of your visit is to see Forrest Park, Confederate Park and Jefferson Davis Park.

Conclude with: "Please leave the names alone."  Again, so they know exactly where you stand.

Thanks for your help and support.

 

And we’re still taking contributions for the Parks Legal Defense Fund.

Citizens to Save Our Parks

PO Box 241875

Memphis, TN  38124

A recent development, Lee Millar and the Parks Legal Defense team has determined that Memphis City law states that only the mayor can rename a park.  This makes the recent action of the city council invalid and since the Tennessee state legislature recently passed a law prohibiting such actions, no one will be able to make such unauthorized, illegal and unwarranted changes in the future.  Lee Millar and the SCV team are preparing to hold a press conference soon regarding this finding.