Alabama Division Education Conference - Part 1

The 1st Annual Alabama Division SCV Education Conference was held on Saturday March 5th at the Prattville Doster Center.  There were more than 100 people attending the conference, four well known nationally recognized speakers and a perfect meeting organization by our Division leaders. All this equalled an excellent conference where the speakers challenged all to not only listen to what was being said but take the information and go on the offensive for Southern Heritage. At least 12 Dragoons attended the conference including Commander Waldo, 1st Lieutenant Grooms, Color Sergeant Morgan, Quartermaster Myrick, Communications Officer Spears, Historian Sam Reid, Tyrone Crowley and wife Carol who assisted as a hostess, Bill Gill, and Karl Wade.  Color Sgt Morgan presented colors at the beginning of the program in period dress.  Everyone also sang Dixie to  open the conference.  The first two speakers were Dr. Brian McClanahan who spoke on the U.S. Constitution and Originalism.  Dr. McClanahan is a USC graduate and author of numerous books including "Nine Presidents who Screwed up America and Four who tried to Save Her".  Dr. McClanahan was followed by Donny Kennedy, author of "The South was Right" who spoke to a presentation entitled "Slavery - Smokescreen for Tyranny".

Dr. McClanahan explained how many who interpret the Constitution do so by evaluating how it applies to cases and rulings. Instead of this approach, Dr. McClanahan espouses an approach whereby one evaluates how the Constitution was ratified in 1788.  James Madison did not say one should study case law to understand and interpret the Constitution.  Further, textual understanding only allows you to comprehend implied powers.  This early period of U.S. history was marked by struggles between federalists and anti-federalists and these groups proved to be proponents and opponents for ratification of the Constitution.  Those arguing for the Constitution said there would never be abuses of power -- we can see how rats have infected the federal/national government.  The Articles of Confederation was last when states held power but the Constitution abolished state authority.

Some of the Dragoons at the Alabama Division Education Conference

Color Sgt Edward Morgan

Donald Kennedy and Dr. Brian McClanahan

Birthday of General Patrick Cleburne

March 17 is the birthday of General Patrick Cleburne, sometimes called "the Stonewall of the West." He was an outstanding leader and had keen insight as to the long term condition of the South should she not prevail in The War. His famous quote: “Every man should endeavor to understand the meaning of subjugation before it is too late… It means the history of this heroic struggle will be written by the enemy; that our youth will be trained by Northern schoolteachers; will learn from Northern school books their version of the war; will be impressed by the influences of history and education to regard our gallant dead as traitors, and our maimed veterans as fit objects for derision… It is said slavery is all we are fighting for, and if we give it up we give up all. Even if this were true, which we deny, slavery is not all our enemies are fighting for. It is merely the pretense to establish sectional superiority and a more centralized form of government, and to deprive us of our rights and liberties.”

Here is a link with a short biography on General Cleburne: http://www.sonofthesouth.net/leefoundation/Patrick_Ronayne_Cleburne.htm 

Alabama Division Executive Committee Meeting February 2016 - Camp Growth and Recruitment

Prattville Dragoons Commander Stuart Waldo and Adjutant Wayne Sutherland attended the Division EC meeting at Dalraida Methodist in Montgomery Al on Saturday February 20, 2016.  Commander Gary Carlyle called the meeting to order followed by an Invocation by  the Division chaplain and salutes to the Alabama and Confederate flags.  Everyone sang Dixie.

Commander Carlyle then highlighted the many important upcoming dates for events across the Division especially the Confederate Memorial Day programs.  Heritage Defense Russ Hare and Jimmy Hill then summarized the activities in the Division to promote education and marketing for the Sons of Confederate Veterans aligned with the Vision 2016 campaign.

Lunch consisted of delicious pork tenderloin, greens and black eyed peas enjoyed by everyone. Division Adjutant Mike Williams brought everyone up to date on the status of the Heritage Bill SB-13 which recently passed the Senate and is in House committee.  Commander Carlyle then reviewed a list of attributes and habits of Southern gentlemen especially treating women with respect as ladies.
The EC meeting then broke out into three groups where representatives from the Division EC and camps around the state discussed Recruiting, Growing a Camp, Recruiting and, Camp Business.  

Ideas presented for recruitment and camp growth included:
1) camp commander actively involved in meetings and activities - officers should greet everyone annd don't let anyone drop thrru the cracks unnoticed or unappreciated
2) recruit business leaders to join the camp
3) be prepared at public events to present, verbalize the Cause
4) have an event(s) on which the camp can rally for a common purpose such as a reenactment to get a lot of folks involved
5) encourage members to own projects and get involved, for instance becoming a Guardian - there has to be a reason for members to stay in the camp
6) have good meetings to encourage member attendance including good programs and speakers and change up the programs
7) in camp newsletters, include photos of members
8) get the camp out there on social media including Twitter, Facebook, websites, Snapchat etc annd update frequently
9) ensure the camp is run like a business, professionally with all propriety
10) camp should promote educational outreach emphasizing reaching youngsters including in schools
11) camp meetings should be held in nice facilities to make everyone comfortable
12) provide free or sell food at public events like hot dogs or drinks
13) use nametags to help build recognition and comraderie
14) use local media like TV and radio to announce events as 501.c.3. would be a public service announcement
15) invite people (one person at a time) to camp meetings
16) make meetings educational providing good information
17) participate in local community events like parades
18) offer a genealogy research service thru the camp
19) have meetings at restaurants or churches to allow people to fellowship over food
20) recruit friends and family
21) provide copies of old SC Confederate magazines or Guide to Confederate Monuments at public events
22) conduct timely meetings, starting and ending on time
23) review camp dues to make membership attractive but to provide funds for camp activities
24) provide annual camp report to keep records up to date for Division and for the camp including timely Last Roll Call notifications and condolences to family of deceased members as well as transfers and officer rolls
25) promote the prorated membership period when folks can join for a discounted rate for extended membership benefits

Prattville Dragoons Camp 1524 News

From the March camp newsletter:

JROTC Awards – The Prattville Dragoons will be presenting JROTC Hunley Awards at Prattville and Stanhope Elmore High Schools March 31^st and April 14^th respectively, having received invitations.

Edward Morgan Posted Colors at Alabama Division Education Conference – Color Sergeant Edward Morgan attended the AL Division SCV Education Conference with his mother and son and represented the camp posting the colors in period dress at the beginning of the conference.  

Division Commander Gary Carlyle Writes Prattville Mayor – Commander Carlyle wrote a letter to Prattville Mayor Bill Gillespie to thank him for being fair, calm and rational in handling the objections around and support of the Dragoons entry in the Prattville Christmas and July 4^th parades.     

Commander Waldo and Adjutant Sutherland Attend Division EC Meeting – Dragoons Commander Waldo and Adjutant Sutherland attended the Alabama Division EC meeting on Saturday February 20^th at Dalraida Methodist Church in Montgomery participating in breakout discussions around growing camp membership and accuracy of camp records which included a delicious lunch.

Confederate Ancestors Photos Posted to Camp Website – Photos and biographies of Dragoons Confederate ancestors have been added to the page “Why We Honor” for Tyrone Crowley, Colby Carlock and Larry Miller – check http://www.theprattvilledragoons.blogspot.com/2014/06/a-pictorial-history-of-our-confederate.html. Please send Commander Waldo any more anyone may have.  

Dragoons Billboard Ad for Confederate History Month – Camp 1524 will place ads on two electronic billboards in Prattville on Hwy 14 and Main Street again for the month of April to commemorate Confederate History and Heritage Month.  This very effective ad campaign attracted national social media attention. 

First White House – Updated and improved their website - www.firstwhitehouse.org

Upcoming Events for Confederate Compatriots

From the Prattville Dragoons March Camp 1524 Dispatch newsletter:

Flagging of the Confederate Monument at the Alabama State Capitol – ongoing afternoons

Alabama Division Education Conference - Saturday March 5, 10am - 4pm, Prattville Doster Center

Flag Setting – Saturday March 26^th at 9am at Oak Hill Cemetery on Wetumpka St. for Confederate History and Heriatge Month

J.C.C. Saunders Lecture Series – University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, Saturday April 2^nd

Dragoons Spring Picnic – Confederate Memorial Park, Marbury AL, Saturday April 16^th 9am

SCV Camp 692 Meeting – Al Arnold, speaking, author of “Robert E. Lee’s Orderly, A Modern Black Man’s Confederate Journey” at 2:30 p.m., Sunday April 24^th at the Montgomery City-County Public Library, 245 High St, on the second floor.

Indian Hill and Robinson Springs Cemetery Workday – April 23^rd 8am

Confederate Memorial Day – UDC sponsored event at state capital in the morning, Dragoons wreath laying at the Dragoons memorial at the primary school on Washington St in Prattville April 25^th at 6pm

Living History Encampment – Confederate Memorial Park Friday- Satrurday April 29-30^th

Prattville Dragoons Chaplain's Column for March 2016

Jesus Is Victorious Over All

     On the 27^th of the month of March we celebrate Easter. Easter and hope are synonymous. That special day never arrives without its refreshing reminder that there is life beyond this one. True life. Eternal life. Glorious life. Those who live on what we might call "the outskirts of hope" need a transfusion. Easter gives it.

     In 1^st Corinthians 15:27 it says “For He hath put all things under His feet. Praise God! The story has a happy ending! He is risen! Jesus is sitting at the right hand of God at this very moment, interceding on your behalf (Romans 8:34). And His prayers are always answered. When the problems of your life are over your head, remember they are under His feet. Where is His head? It is in the heavenlies, interceding for you. Where are your problems? Under His feet. Jesus is alive and waiting in the wings to return for you!

     Is there someone in your life who is struggling? Write them a note of encouragement and use Romans 8:34 as a closing verse of hope.

     God has been so good to us. He has answered many of our prayers already. Let’s remember the following individuals on our prayer list.

Prattville Dragoons Commander's Column for March 2016

Listening to 1440-AM out of Montgomery in the morning on the way to work a month ago and, as is typical, the discussion turned to race relations.  While the host Kevin Elkins usually implores his audience to not dwell on past perceived injustices, his guests and callers to the contrary constantly recall the prejudice and bigotry of a half century ago as though it was yesterday although most of the audience was not even alive at the time and simply regurgitate the recollections they have been told or taught in the sterling educational system which is the Montgomery school system.  This particular morning, an alleged Professor hosting a conference in Bessemer maintained blacks don’t own enough wealth or possess enough power to be racists.  Racism is a team sport influencing group politics and group economics he said where whites seek to make and keep blacks disadvantged.  Looking even further back, he reminded the listeners that for the last 400 years, lynchings, slavery and Jim Crow laws and other institutional methods were designed to keep blacks subjugated.  Supreme Court Judge Clarence Thomas’ and President Barry Soetoro, umm, Barack Hussein Obama’s rise to positions of prominence and power notwithstanding. It has been claimed that Obama’s presidency has actually worsened race relations and certainly the attacks on police officers around the country and on the Confederate flag across the South would testify as evidence of this.  If the last 50 years of social engineering and federal and state programs meant to raise the black populace up through every institutional advantage imaginable are a failure still, perhaps we need to reevaluate these and perhaps return to a merit based system and allow natural segregation which most blacks and whites migrate to naturally anyway.  But while MLK espoused everyone be judged by their character and while our Constitution guarantees equal access and opportunity, these malcontent instigators like Professor Bessemer demand equality without being earned or deserved.

It’s always interesting to hear Kevin Elkins thoughts on race relations as he relatively recently relocated to Montgomery after a career in the Army and he is a small business owner, an entrepreneur, regularly  confronting militant race baiting callers.   This morning Kevin stated white people and black people are not the same other than inside their skin.  That in and of itself is debatable even in current scientific, forensic, and anthropological, for example as found in this article- http://what-when-how.com/forensic-sciences/determination-of-racial-affinity/. Differences in blacks and whites are not simply physical and skin deep but cultural. Obviously their histories and heritage are strikingly dissimilar to Anglo-Americans. Elkins accused blacks and whites of romanticizing a history we know nothing about, specifically for blacks referring to their African “Roots”.  He pointed out that while American blacks embrace an identity of coming from Africa, they are not accepted by aboriginal Africans as having lost their “African soul”.  But an interesting observation that whites don’t know their own history is sadly true.  It is our Confederate history and Southern heritage that we are encouraged to learn and educate those in our communities per the SCV Vision 2016 initiative.

The following radio talk show host attorney Mark Montiel took the microphone and claimed Elkins spent an hour suggesting that every white person who did not attend the past weekend’s MLK parade in Montgomery was a racist.  Supposedly though, Montiel indicated the MLK parade/rally speakers used their speaking platform as a political opportunity to pander to the largely black audience instead of speaking more meaningfully of the need to address crime in the capital city and the recent surge in murders.  Elkins rebutted the second host by saying, “You’ll never know what it means to grow up black.”  The exchange lost me.   But, it continues.  Is equality of opportunity the goal or preferential coddling treatment?  One thing certainly, we need to embrace the Vision 2016 initiatives to become a highly educated historical organization but also to market the SCV, to engage and reach out to our friends and neighbors, contributing in a valuable and tangible way to our communities as an organization and as individuals.