Prattville Dragoons Chaplain's Column for August 2013

The following column from Dragoons Chaplain Tom Snowden was published in the August edition of the Camp 1524 Dispatch newsletter.

Chaplain’s Column:  Live Life Intentionally - 2nd Timothy 4:6-8

            As we look at the Bible, Paul was a man who lived life to the fullest. The goals he set were to know Christ, abide in His power, fellowship in His suffering, and preach the gospel (Phil. 3:10; 1 Cor. 1:17). In doing so, he aligned his aspirations with the Lord's, diligently worked to fulfill his calling, and persevered through opposition, persecution, and suffering. When he reached the end of his life he could face it with confidence since he'd "fought the good fight," "finished the course," and "kept the faith" (2 Timothy 4:7).

            I think most of us would like to be able to say the same at the end of our lives, but that means we would have to follow Paul's example. One may ask this question:  How are we doing at setting goals for our lives? Have you thought beyond the immediate and set some long-term objectives? Our culture is so fast-paced that few of us take the time to actually consider where we're going. But we don't want to finish this life and find out that the course we set was outside God’s will, resulting in us having fought the wrong fight and struggling to keep the faith.

            May I suggest you set aside some time this week to get alone with God. Then ask Him for help in setting goals that will take you where He wants you to go. Consider every area of your life--personal, relational, financial, and vocational--but make spiritual goals your primary emphasis. Then write them down.

            If we keep doing what we are doing, then we will keep getting what we are getting. Maybe it's time to get out of our rut in life and find a new path. God will help us change direction and accomplish new goals that align with His will. Don't settle for the mediocrity of an unplanned life. Start living intentionally a life that is in sync with God’s will.

            Waiting upon the Lord is one of the wisest, most important decisions we make in life. And contrary to popular assumptions, it is an active endeavor that requires faith, humility, patience, and courage. When you rely upon God and wait for His timing, the various facets of life fall into place.

            We have many on our prayer list. Let’s take the time to pray for each of them.

           

1. James & Ann Spears
2. Bobby Carter & wife Merrill
3. James Little's wife Nita
4. David Brantley's wife Jennifer and his mother Mary
5. Allen Herrod
6. Wayne Sutherland - back problems
7. John Durden's son (David Fail) TIA
8. Cecil Williamson
9. J J Oakley
10. Billy Parker's son-in-law Stan Stuckey
11. James Whittington
12. Harold Grooms's mother Sue Grooms
13. Bobby and Belinda Holloway of Birmingham
14. Bill Myrick's step great-grandson, Cain M. Simonson.
15. Pray for justice in Selma court cases

           

Yours In Christ,

Tom Snowden, Chaplain

Prattville Dragoons Dixie Butt Sale Annual Fundraiser

Dixie Butt Distribution Coming This Month

            Our annual "Dixie Butt" distribution will be from 7-9 a.m. on Saturday 10 August at Fatman’s BBQ, next to the Marathon Gas Station at Main Street and Memorial Drive (Hwy 31 and 14) in Prattville AL.

            Every year for the last three or so years, we have broken the previous year's record for total number of butts sold.  Thanks to prompt and synergistic action by Dragoons and their initiative to approach friends, families and neighbors and carry the Charge, we again will approach a record fundraising effort.  These monies are used by the Dragoons for camp activities including donations to the Alabama State Archives for flag preservation, donations to the First White House of the Confederacy, Robert E. Lee and Confederate Memorial Day advertisements, cemetery renovations and flag setting, community activities including schools presentations and awards, local organization memberships, as well as festivals and parades. These activities comprise our mission to further the Cause for the memory and honor of our Confederate veteran ancestors. 

            If you have not already purchased your Dixie Butt from a Dragoons member, please come by and purchase one Saturday morning or just drop in to say hello and lend your support.  
 

Dragoons at last year's Dixie Butt Distribution - (left to right) Chris Booth, Billy Leverette, Wayne Sutherland, Jeff Potts, Louis Turner, Tyrone Crowley, Randy Burdick

Prattville Dragoons August 2013 Camp Meeting, Thursday Aug 8th at 7pm at Shoney's

Thursday evening, August 8th at 7pm at the Shoney's on Cobbs Ford Rd in Prattville AL, the Dragoons will hold their monthly camp meeting.  Many arrive early to partake of the delicious Shoney's buffet and strawberry pie and other desserts.  The following announcement was taken from the Dragoons August Camp Dispatch newsletter.  Come join us for an entertaining meeting - in addition to the guest speaker, there will be a special award presentation, recognitions and a report-out of the Dixie Butt Sale and the SCV National Reunion which was attended by three members of the Dragoon camp. 

Learn About Confederate Memorial Park at August Meeting

            Mr. Bill Rambo, Director of the Confederate Memorial Park since 1989 and also a Brigadier General commanding the First Confederate Legion (reenactors), will offer us a history of the Park, which was established in 1902.  Come and learn about an institution that was founded to offer assistance to destitute Confederate veterans and their wives.  Mr. Rambo will also discuss politically-motivated attempts to close the Park. 

Upcoming Events for the Prattville Dragoons and Confederate Heritage Recognition

The following events are coming up which may be of interest for those sharing our appreciation of Confederate heritage.

Sam Davis Youth Camp - Three Mountain Retreat, Clifton, TX, Jul 28^th -Aug 3^rd

These SCV sponsored camps are held twice yearly, once in VA and once in Texas and provide a wonderful Christian wholesome Confederate atmosphere for youth to enjoy traditional camp activities as well as learn Southern manners, etiquette and dance.  Every morning lectures are provided on Confederate history and Southern heritage and opportunities are even available for oratory contests.

Dixie Butt Distribution  - Fat Man’s BBQ in Prattville Saturday August 10^th 7-9am

This annual Dragoon fundraiser is means by which the Dragoons answer the Charge in the community of Prattville providing delicious smoked butts to patrons while generating monies which the camp uses to donate to the Alabama State Archives for flag preservation, the First White House in Montgomery, cemetery renovations and flag setting as well as community involvement in schools, organizations and events like parades and festivals.

13th Annual Battle of Newton Reenactment- John Hutto Park, Newton AL Sat & Sun Oct 19-20 9am-4pm

Reenactments will be held both days at 1:30pm.  Kids will enjoy an entire weekend of fun including period games for all ages. There will be Confederate and Union living history encampments including a military field hospital.  There will be a ladies tea and a church service on Sunday.  Lots of live music entertainment and food and drink will be available as well as merchandise by vendors including hand-made items.  Admission is free of charge.

Sam Davis 150^th Anniversary Memorial Event – SCV Camp #33 Smyrna TN Nov. 22-24

This event will commemorate the 150th anniversary of the capture, trial and execution of a Confederate hero, Pvt. Sam Davis.  Tours of his home as well as music and food will be available including banquets and  luncheons.  A period ball will be held Saturday night and a memorial service on Sunday. 

                        

Prattville Dragoons Executive Committee Meeting for July 2013

The Dragoons EC met on Monday evening in downtown Prattville to discuss the upcoming camp meeting and important upcoming events.  Commander Waldo, 1st Lt Grooms, 2nd Lt Booth, Treasurer Leverette, Adjutant Sutherland, Chaplain Snowden and Communications Officer Crowley were all in attendance.  Chaplain Snowden opened the meeting with an invocation.  Dragoon Benny Harris was invited to the EC meeting to bring his expertise for recommendations on the recently adopted initiative to serve as a first responder group for the Confederate Memorial Park.  Benny agreed to help draft an Emergency Preparedness Plan to provide a procedure for the Dragoons EC to follow in the event of an emergency such as a natural disaster where we would be needed to secure the park.  Benny also mentioned that the state Historical Commission which controls the park would be an eligible applicant for state and federal funds to construct an emergency community shelter.  This would be an outstanding community service for the Mountain Creek neighbors.  Bill Rambo will be approached about this possibility as he will be attending the Dragoons camp meeting on Thursday as the guest speaker.

We are approaching another record year for our camp fundraising Dixie smoked butt sale with something like 180 butts anticipated to be sold. The butts will be distributed from 7-9am on Saturday morning August 10th at Fatman's BBQ at Hwy 14 and Hwy 31 intersection in Prattville.  Look for the Dragoons camp banner and the Confederate Battle Flag and come by to purchase one as extras will be available. 

Annual dues were discussed. Adjutant Sutherland reported that many Dragoons have already sent in their renewal fees.  These are required before the end of October but the recent annual dues notices sent by the Alabama Division specify an August 1st due date.  Dues including national, state/Division, and Dragoons camp dues are $45.  Life members pay less.

The Christmas Social was briefly discussed. Entertainment will include singing by a guest recommended by 1st Lt Grooms who has sung at numerous Division events.  Dragoon Charlie Graham will provide reception guitar and singing and Ruth Graham will play during the dining.  Of course our own Chaplain Snowden will certainly lead us in Dixie.

Chaplain Snowden closed the meeting with a benediction including remembering those with prayer requests including our Adjutant who has been suffering from severe back pain and is anticipating surgery and the mother of our 1st Lt who has terminal cancer and has entered hospice. We lift them up in prayer. 

Sons of Confederate Veterans 118th National Reunion in Vicksburg MS - Part 5

Friday afternoon at the SCV annual convention in Vicksburg brought the three Prattville Dragoons in attendance together for lunch. Commander Stuart Waldo, Quartermaster David Brantley and his wife Jennifer and past Commander and I-65 Flag Chairman Larry Spears and his wife Sue enjoyed lunch in this historical restaurant which was certainly Confederate friendly with quite a few prints of General Robert E. Lee and his generals adoring the walls of the bar area and our dining room.   The Walnut Hills Restaurant is set in a beautiful old home on Adams Street and has received numerous accolades including local "Best of" awards and 1000 Places to See Before You Die and has appeared in Southern Living and on Good Morning America.  The fried chicken and fried catfish are specialties and the mini corn muffins and biscuits they bring before your food arrives are wonderful.  Home breaded fried okra, delicious fried chicken and fried green tomatoes with a crawfish etoufee sauce were awesome.

Walnut Hills Restaurant in Vicksburg

Dragoons and their Wives Enjoying Lunch at Walnut Hills

Retired Brigadier General and SCV Member Parker Hills provided an educational program on the Vicksburg National Military Park after lunch.  Parker wrote a fine book entitled " Art of Commemoration" where he provides photos and description of all the monuments and statues in the VNMP and information about the artists. The book provides a walking and driving tour itinerary; this was provided as part of the conference package for registrants.  His presentation included a Powerpoint presentation with photos of these memorial works of art in the Park.

Brigadier General Parker Hills

The Vicksburg Convention Center Site of the 118th SCV National Reunion

The last convention activity on Friday afternoon before the author departed Vicksburg and the Reunion for the drive back east to Prattville AL was the Confederate Memorial Service.  This was a beautiful service held in Christ Episcopal Church on Main Street in Vicksburg.  This historic church was built between 1839 and 1843 and has served the congregation for the past 170 years.  The Rev. W.W.Lord held daily services at the church throughout for the duration of the siege of Vicksburg although the church was damaged by the shelling.  A wonderful journal penned by Mrs. W.W.Lord was included in a welcome pack and provided an amazing insight into the terror the citizens of Vicksburg endured during the Battle and Siege of Vicksburg and subsequent Union occupation. The service began with a welcome and brief history of the church by the current pastor and then the program began with the singing of General Robert E. Lee's favorite hymn "How Firm a Foundation".  An invocation was given by NC Division Chaplain Herman White and then SCV Chaplain Mark Evans welcomed everyone.  Chaplains Carl Singley (Army of Northern Virginia), Cecil Fayard (Army of Tennessee) and Sid Holt (Army of Trans Mississippi) provided the Reading of the Last Roll for the members of their respective Armies.  Chaplain Evans gave a Memorial Address followed by the singing of the hymn "Amazing Grace".  A Benediction by Past Chaplain in Chief Charles Baker closed the service and brought the authors Reunion to an end.

Christ Episcopal Church in Vicksburg

Confederate Memorial Service at Christ Episcopal Church

Sons of Confederate Veterans 118th National Reunion in Vicksburg MS - Part 4

The second Business Session of the 118th SCV Convention brought former Commander in Chief Chuck McMichael to the podium to discuss the Sesquicentennial Confederate heritage Rallies.  The last was in Biloxi MS at Jefferson Davis' Beauvoir home for the dedication of the beautiful Presidential library and museum and included a parade down the beach front along US Hwy 90 and speeches including by Bertram Hayes-Davis.  The next event will be in Franklin TN in the fall of 2014 with a formation at Winstead Hill with a march into Franklin past the Carter House.  We want to have thousands there on this Sesquicentennial.  Chuck closed inploring everyone to fly their Confederate flags every day.  we should be proud to be a descendant of a Confederate Veteran.

Past Commander in Chief Chuck McMichael Addresses the 118th SCV Reunion

The President of the Children of the Confederacy next addressed the Reunion saying their convention was just down I-20 in Jackson MS.  The Children of the Confederacy share our desire to perpetuate the memory and deeds of our ancestors who fought under the Battle flag.  SCV CiC Givens addressed their conference and hopes that they graduate to the SCV and UDC and become a group unafraid to display the flag.

Frank Powell discussed the Confederate Veteran magazine and encouraged everyone to continue to send in their high-resolution photos by mail or email but with 900 camps, there is a huge backlog of pictures. An electronic version of the Confederate Veteran magazine is available and future plans include the publication of the wonderful series of Sesquicentennial essays from the Confederate Veteran to be bound together in one book

CiC Givens introduced the Director of the Stephen Dill Lee Institute.  These lectures are designed to train SCV members, to educate members to answer the Charge.  The next lecture will be in Chattanooga TN at the Hilton Doubletree Feb 7-8th within sight of Missionary Ridge and Lookout Mountain.  The lecture series will be on the South Experiencing the First Modern Total War including the atrocities Lincoln's army committed when they invaded the South.  Scholarships are available for students and teachers.

JM next addressed the convention regarding the Sam Davis Youth Camps.  The Texas camp is ongoing now.  These camps are designed to entertain youth but to combat the main stream media indoctrination of youth today which teaches them to hate their Southern heritage.  Zip lines, canoes, swimming, horseback riding are complimented with lessons on manners, ballroom dancing, casting bullets, history and oratory contests.  At the Virginia camp, 26 children volunteered to participate in the oratory contest which teaches public speaking skills. A young lady who recently graduated from the the Texas camp provided an endorsement saying the kids she met and the activities and speakers, learning about our Southern heritage was incredible and inspired her to join the UDC and OCR.  This camp embodies the reference to the Charge, "It is your duty to see that the true history of the South is presented to future generations." 

On a similar note, Trip Wilson provided information about the Hunley JROTC award program.  Over 500 awards were made last year in 39 states.  Awards were presented in Arizona and even in the Bronx last year. The SCV Hunley JROTC award is among the most coveted awards by these high school cadets.  Scholarship awards to these outstanding young students are also given in some schools.  

James Patterson related Tennessee Resolution 186 signed by the TN governor which honors Sam Davis and the Sesquicentennial of his capture and execution as a spy.  An event is planned November 22-24 in Smyrna TN to commemorate this Tennessee and Confederate hero and we should all emulate his heroic virtues like his dedication to his friends and family and the Cause.  The event will include tours of the Sam Davis home and music and food, a ball and a memorial service.

Past CiC McMichael again addressed the convention regarding the SCV Confederate Museum project saying it is time to reinvigorate the project with the goal to break ground by the end of the Sesquicentennial. Different donation levels are available up to a $10k cabinet level which includes a reproduction Enfield rifle.  Every SCV member should consider themselves part of the Museum committee, every camp should do a project to donate to the effort.  This is the place where we can take our children and grandchildren to learn the true history of the South, to further the SCV mission to be the preeminent source for all things Confederate.  Chief of Heritage Defense Eugene Hogan encouraged giving to the Heritage Defense Fund.  A Patrick Cleburne Guild Award is given to those pledging a $1000 donation.  Camps should consider making a donation to the Heritage Fund in honor of a distinguished member. $5, $25, $100, all donations help towards this profound present need during this Sesquicentennial.  

Past CiC Chris Sullivan took the convention thru the Amendments and all passed. The first was proposed by  camp 1813 inserted into the preamble the 1906 version of Stephen Dill Lee's Charge.  The second Amendment made a change to allow for Divisions outside state boundaries which was specifically thought might encourage Division formation in the Pacific Northwest but alos possibly oversees.  The third and last Amendments changed the Heritage Defense Chief and Committee to heritage Operations to create an effective proactive War Department for the SCV to further public education and promote Southern heritage.  

Sons of Confederate Veterans 118th National Reunion in Vicksburg MS