Prattville Dragoons Chaplains Column for January 2018

From the SCV Camp 1524 Dispatch.

Chaplain’s Column - The Fresh-Start Effect/Rebooting Your Spiritual Walk

    How many of you have ever been to the gym on the beginning of the new year? You may have noticed that it was a bit more crowded than usual. Whatever snacks one indulged in—or 5:00 a.m. exercise classes were missed—they are long forgotten. It’s a new day, and everyone has a bolstered sense of motivation and purpose.

   I can remember a term coined by Psychologists and I believe the term for this and other similar moments of inspiration was called the “fresh-start effect” or others may have called it the “get ’er done” moment. It’s the notation that we all have a way of making progress toward our goals during transitional time periods, like from an old year to a new one. Even simply returning to a task after taking time off from it can give us renewed energy to do what we couldn’t seem to muster the strength to do before.

   From the creation of the world to the final promises of a new heaven and earth, the Bible is full of stories of—and encouragement to observe—new beginnings. Jeremiah wrote about the Lord’s mercies being new each morning (Lam. 3:22-23). Paul instructs us to forget what lies behind and to reach forward to what lies ahead (Phil. 3:13). And Jesus Himself often said things like, “I don’t condemn you for your past. Go and sin no more” (paraphrased, John 8:11).

   God is constantly providing opportunities for us to have a clean slate, the ultimate fresh start being when He sent His Son to die on the cross to give us the gift of a new spiritual life. It was a do-over of epic proportions. And when we accept His salvation, He makes us into new creations. “The old things [pass] away; behold, new things have come” (2 Corinthians 5:17).

   But the fresh start doesn’t end there. As new creations, we can begin each day by dying to our past selves and embracing the present opportunity to live in Christ (Rom. 12:1-2). At any moment, we can renew our minds by remembering what Christ has done for us and given to us. We can be freed from the burdens of yesterday and embrace the newness of life God gives us.

   Do you need a fresh start with God? Let today be a new Day of Reconciliation with your heavenly Father. Ask Him for forgiveness and thank Him for the gift of new life. Start reading His Word again. Resolve to follow His will for your life. Today is a new day. And through Christ, you can do it!

   I am praying that everyone will have a happy and blessed new year. Please remember to pray for the people on our prayer list:

Upcoming Events for Confederate Compatriots

Upcoming Events

AL Division Robert E. Lee Day Program – Saturday January 20^th 10am, 2018 at the Alabama State Archives

Millbrook Mardi Gras Parade and Festival -  Saturday February 3^rd, Parade at noon on Main St and festival from 9am-3pm at the Village Square

Army of TN Workshop -  Revival Building, 3030 Washington St. Athens AL, Saturday February 24^th, 2018

Brigade Confederate Flag Day -  at the Dismukes property to include food and music entertainment, March 3^rd, 2018

AL Division Education Conference -  Prattville Doster Center, Saturday March 17^th, 2018, 10am- 4pm

Civil War Military & Civilian Life Living History - Confederate Memorial Park, Marbury AL,  April 27-28, 2018

Forrest Monument Dedication – Saturday May 5^th, 2018 at Cedar Bluff AL

Alabama Division Reunion and Elections - Friday and Saturday May 18 - 19  Gadsden, Alabama 

Merry Christmas from the Prattville Dragoons SCV Camp 1524 - a Confederate Soldier's Christmas Poem

Christmas Night of '62

The following is a poem by Confederate soldier William Gordon McCabe,  Christmas Night, 1862.

The wintry blast goes wailing by,
the snow is falling overhead;
I hear the lonely sentry's tread,
and distant watch-fires light the sky.

Dim forms go flitting through the gloom;
The soldiers cluster round the blaze
To talk of other Christmas days,
And softly speak of home and home

My saber swinging overhead,
gleams in the watch-fire's fitful glow,
while fiercely drives the blinding snow,
and memory leads me to the dead.

My thoughts go wandering to and fro,
vibrating 'twixt the Now and Then;
I see the low-browed home again,
the old hall wreathed in mistletoe.

And sweetly from the far off years
comes borne the laughter faint and low,
the voices of the Long Ago!
My eyes are wet with tender tears.

I feel again the mother kiss,
I see again the glad surprise
That lighted up the tranquil eyes
And brimmed them o'er with tears of bliss

As, rushing from the old hall-door,
She fondly clasped her wayward boy -
Her face all radiant with they joy
She felt to see him home once more.

My saber swinging on the bough
Gleams in the watch-fire's fitful glow,
while fiercely drives the blinding snow
aslant upon my saddened brow.

Those cherished faces are all gone!
Asleep within the quiet graves
where lies the snow in drifting waves, -
And I am sitting here alone.

There's not a comrade here tonight
but knows that loved ones far away
on bended knees this night will pray:
"God bring our darling from the fight."

But there are none to wish me back,
for me no yearning prayers arise
the lips are mute and closed the eyes -
My home is in the bivouac.

Christmas Devotional from SCV Camp 1524 Chaplain

 Christianity was born in one big heavenly interruption. Just ask the Bethlehem shepherds! They had no expectations of excitement. These are sheep they’re watching. We count sheep to go to sleep!

   Shepherds, however, treasured the predictable. This was the night shift. Any excitement was bad excitement—wolves, lions, poachers. Just because they wanted a calm night, didn’t mean they would get it. Luke  says, “Then an angel of the Lord stood before them. The glory of the Lord shining around them, and they became very frightened.” We always assume the worst before we look for the best. Good thing the shepherds lingered. Otherwise they might have missed the second verse. “On a day we celebrate as Christmas, your Savior was born in the town of David. He is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:9-11).

   I hope you’ll do what the shepherds did—linger near the manger!

John 1:14 says, “The Word became human and made His home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness.” He lived among us. He donned the costliest of robes, a human body. He became a friend of the sinner and a brother of the poor. He touched their sores and felt their tears and paid for their mistakes. And to all of us frightened ones, He shared the same message, “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me…I will come again and receive you to Myself” (John 14:1).

And how do we respond? Some pretend He doesn’t exist. Others hear Him, but don’t believe Him. But then, a few decide to give it a try. And when He calls your name, be ready. Look up. He will reach down and take you home…when Christ comes!

I wanted to take this time to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.  

Tom Snowden, Chaplain

Christmas Season's Greetings from the Prattville Dragoons Sons of Confederate Veterans Camp 1524

Two of the three billboards local to Prattville on which the Dragoons placed community Christmas greeting advertisements.

SCV Camp 1524 Dragoons Participate in Vida Alabama Christmas Parade

Camp 1524 was represented in the Vida Christmas parade Saturday December 16th by a two vehicle entry including five Dragoons with flags flying. The five members were Larry Miller, Bill Myrick, Tyrone Crowley, Bill Gill and James Spears. Two other Dragoons, Al Booth and Don Drasheff, were obligated to participate in other entries but spent time with the Dragoons. A number of other camp members were unable to participate due to travel to out of town Christmas activities, medical issues and other unavoidable factors. However, the Dragoons who were there had fun and greeted an enthusiastic crowd with Confederate flags waving proudly and by sharing Christmas treats with them. 

Vida is a small community in Autauga county which draws a tremendous crowd of participants and spectators every year for this event. Autauga county Sheriff Joe Sedinger led the parade, closely followed by the Shriners in their go carts with the third entry the Dragoons! When the parade was over, the ladies at the Vida Community Center greeted everyone with a full hot meal and plenty of homemade desserts, all for a contribution to the maintenance of the community center. 

It was a very special day for all involved and another great opportunity to show our Confederate colors to a welcoming public. The first photo below shows Larry Miller leaning on his truck with Tyrone Crowley and Bill Myrick in the truck  bed with Battle Flags ready to wave as the parade progressed. Second photo is Don Drasheff, Larry Miller, Bill Gill and James Spears telling tall tales before the parade began. The third photo shows the two vehicles in the Dragoons entry; Larry’s truck and Bill Gill’s SUV. 

SCV Camp 1524 Prattville Dragioons Christmas Social

A winter storm which dropped over 2" of snow on Prattville forced the postponement of the Dragoons Christmas social scheduled for Friday night December 8th to the following evening. The road conditions were much improved but the backyard and porch stairs at Buena Vista were still covered with snow and ice.  Only a few could not attend that had made reservations  and the pianist was among those absent as he had sustained a fall earlier in the week.  It was a most wonderful time with Christmas music, a superb catered meal from Smokin S in Wetumpka, a visit from Santa, Christmas carol singing and much more.  The antebellum home was decorated with Christmas greenery including wreaths across the front windows and everyone enjoyed touring the home with the second floor period furnishings.  A large Battle Flag was hung from the upstairs balcony to welcome everyone. 

Chaplain Snowden opened the program with an invocation and blessed the food.  Everyone then made their way thru the buffet line where smoked turkey with dressing, green bean casserole, sweet potato casserole and desserts were enjoyed.  A welcome to all the guests was then extended by Commander Waldo along with the reading of the SCV Charge.  Cynthia Campyssi then provided a history of the historic antebellum home.  The commander's wife then read "Twas the Night Before Christmas" with terrific animation.  Chaplain Snowden then led everyone in a number of Christmas carols and then sang solo for "Mary Did You Know" and "O, Holy Night".  Twenty doorprizes were then awarded from a random draw so almost everyone received a little Christmas gift.  Chaplain Snowden then closed with a Benediction and led everyone in a rousing singing of "Dixie".  

Buena Vista Decorated with Christmas Greenery and the Battle Flag

Crowd Enjoys the Reception upon Arrival

Tyrone and Carol Crowley Serving the General Lee Eggnog

Butch and Pat Godwin and Todd Kiscaden

Comms Officer Larry Spears with Compatriot Bill Gill

Kathy Leverette with past Commander Wyatt Willis

Period Dress

Enjoying the Supper in the Parlor

1st Lt Harold Grooms, 2nd Lt Karl Wade and Compatriot Will Dismukes

Mr and Mrs George Jenks

Chaplain Snowden Singing

Santa Presents Adjutant Sutherland with a Candy Cane