Southern Antebellum History Presentation by Southern Belle at Alabama Christian Academy

On May 17th, Kerri Waldo, wife of SCV Camp 1524 Commander Stuart Waldo, visited Alabama Christian Academy's 4th grade class. During her visit, Mrs. Waldo shared with the 40 fourth graders what life was like during the Confederate years in Alabama. Topics of conversation included specifics as to how it was to be a child during the antebellum and War eras.

Many topics were covered including transportation, illnesses, the war, and more. The kids particularly enjoyed the topic of the types of food that were consumed during those years as Mrs Waldo brought with her some foods that replicated those from the 19th century. The favorites were beef jerky to represent the dried meats and sliced apples to represent the crops that the families had to grow themselves.

It was important for the kids to understand that life for them now compared to life for kids during that period 155 years ago was much different. Children during the 19th century in the South would only go to school for part of the day and would likely spend the rest of the day working on their family's farms or plantations from a very young age. Some of the kids indicated that they would rather have that life instead of going to school all day every day. The teachers disagreed with this and believed that these kids would likely not have survived life in that era--especially since there was no access to air conditioning nor video games!

Popular games of the time were also presented including some of the games that are still popular today such as marbles, dominoes, jump ropes, and hopscotch, etc. One of the fun facts that was discussed were the most popular names of the era for boys and girls. And there were even three children in the class who shared names that were still popular today (Elizabeth and James). 

Fun was had by all during the visit and the children asked a lot of really important questions about what it meant to be a child during the Confederate years and what it means to appreciate the lives that they have today. 

At the end of the visit, the children came up and observed Mrs. Waldo's period correct gown. Of particular interest was the type of fabric and the hoop skirt. The girls in the class agreed that it was unfair  that girls and women had to wear such uncomfortable clothing while boys and men were allowed to wear shorts and pants.

One of the girls asked Mrs. Waldo,  "Are you supposed to be a Southern Belle?" Mrs. Waldo told her that she is still a southern belle and that many important traditions in the South still live on today.

Prattville Dragoons Camp 1524 Represent SCV in Trinity Presbyterian Remembrance Service for our Nation's Fallen

Members of the Prattville Dragoons represented the Sons of Confederate Veterans at the Remembrance Service for our Nation's Fallen in All Wars on Sunday May 26th as part of Memorial Day observances.  Camp 1524 1st Lt Harold Grooms placed the wreath as part of the service and Quartermaster Bill Myrick and compatriot Tyrone Crowley were also in attendance representing the camp and the SCV.  The SCV wreath was of magnolia leaves and included a Confederate ribbon bow.  Bill reported that the wreaths placed from the Confederate related heritage organizations including the SCV, UDC and others were more numerous than all the other wreaths placed at the service.  Retired Col. John Eidsmoe was the guest speaker and his presentation touched on many subjects facing the nation today including political correctness and the rewriting of history.  Col. Eidsmoe retired from the USAF as a Lt. Col. and from the Alabama State Defense Force as a Colonel and from the Mississippi State Guard as a Chaplain (Colonel).  He attended the Air Command and Staff College and Air War College at Maxwell AFB and is a Professor of Law at Oak Brook College of Law and Government Policy.  A very learned man, he holds seven degrees in law, theology, history and political science and has published sixteen books including Historical and Theological Foundations of Law and Christianity and the Constitution and is an ordained Lutheran pastor.

Prattville Dragoons Perform Maintenance Workday at Robinson Springs Cemetery

Friday May 17th members of SCV camp 1524 worked at Millbrook's Robinson Springs to keep this historic cemetery looking good in honor of those who are laid to rest there, including a number of Confederate veterans and earlier 19th century founders of the Robinson Springs community.  The Dragoons showed up early on Friday morning to beat the heat and used mowers and weed eaters to trim all the grass on the grounds around all the graves.  The cemetery is located on busy Hwy 14 in Millbrook and the Dragoons maintain the grounds as part of the SCV Guardians program and place Battle flags on all the Confederate's graves there.  Connor Lee brought his zero turn mower to make quicker work of the job and he was joined by Larry Spears, Color Sgt John Dennis, Beir Butler, Tyrone Crowley and Quartermaster Bill Myrick.

Sons of Confederate Veterans Camp 1524 Provide Pizzas to Prattville Police and Autauga Sheriffs Offices for Police Memorial Day

The Prattville Dragoons provided Papa Johns pizzas (and to also celebrate National chocolate chip cookie day, some Chips Ahoy) to the Prattville Police station and Autauga County Sheriffs office for Police Memorial Day on Wednesday May 15th.  Dragoons 2nd Lt Karl Wade, a former Alabama state trooper wounded/blinded in the line of duty and, compatriot Don Owens took ten pizzas and a couple bags of cookies to each of the police offices to provide lunch for these law enforcement officers as part of the camp's observation of the National Police Memorial Day.  The Dragoons also placed an ad on two of the electronic billboards in Prattville for two weeks commemorating that period of time as National Police Week, observed nation wide.  The pizzas and cookies were a big hit with our men and women in blue and the Dragoons were pleased to do so to emphasize the Sons of Confederate Veterans and Camp 1524 support for their service and sacrifice in the line of duty. 

SCV Camp 1524 Booth at the Prattville Cityfest

The Dragoons registered and manned a booth at the 33rd annual Cityfest along Main Street in downtown Prattville on Saturday May 11th.  The day started overcast and rainy but four camp members including Commander Waldo, 1st Lt Grooms, Adjutant Sutherland and compatriot Larry Spears showed up at 7am to set up the canopy (and attach an extra outer plastic sheet layer) and tables and get the camp stores and informational posters and give-away merchandise ready for the festival spectators.  Cityfest has over a hundred vendors with booths set up all along Main and Court Streets as well as food vendors set up in a court and bands providing live entertainment.   The gates opened at 9am and the crowd was light for a while but the weather improved and the clouds broke with even some sun peaking thru and warming things up in the later afternoon so the crowds really picked up.  There was a steady stream of folks stopping by the Dragoons' booth to get free SCV recruiting coins, mini Battle flags, Alabama Division educational posters and other SCV literature.  Spectators young and old enjoyed the beautiful Battle flags given away and at some points the crowd was two and three deep waiting to get to the booth and tables.  The camp stores being sold included 3x5 foot flags like the Confederate national and Battle flags as well as state and Bonnie Blue flags.  Auto license plates were also available and a number of women purchased lined zippered tote bags emblazoned with the Battle flag.  Three copies of "Understanding the War Between the States" were also sold to folks interested in learning more about the truth in the struggle for Southern Independence.  Three gentlemen provided contact information, interested in membership in the SCV and joining Camp 1524.  A very successful day in terms of reaching potential members as well as selling Confederate merchandise.  There were at least three or four Dragoons manning the booth throughout the day til the booth was dismantled at 4pm.  In addition to those early arrivals, other Dragoons helping in this community outreach initiative included Color Sgt John  Dennis and compatriots Frank Pelt, Dale Boyles, Quartermaster Bill Myrick (who stayed all day also), Larry Miller, Treasurer Billy Leverette, and Tyrone Crowley.

Prattville Dragoons Camp Meeting for May 2019

Camp 1524 held their monthly meeting on Thursday May 9th at the Masonic Lodge in downtown Prattville.   A number of members gathered before the meeting to enjoy refreshments provided by 1st Lt Harold Grooms and 2nd Lt Karl Wade.  In the absence of the camp commander, 1st Lt Grooms led the meeting including reciting the SCV Charge and providing the announcements and upcoming events.  New member Jayson Altieri was the guest speaker and he provided a very professional presentation on "Washington at War 1861-1865".  The strategies of the U.S. and Confederate armies including nearby battles and other significant events which occurred during the War in and around Washington DC were discussed.  Over twenty compatriots were in attendance including a number of guests and men who are pursuing membership and reinstatement.

Prattville Dragoons Camp 1524 Chaplain's Column for May 2019

Chaplain’s Column 

     To begin my first column as Chaplain, I would just like to say how honored I am to have this position. I feel at home in helping lead our camp in prayer and devotion to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

This month is Confederate History Month. Each day I hope we will all reflect on the sacrifice our ancestors made to defend our freedoms granted in the Constitution.

To often in today's times we hear nothing but negativity. Many of our ancestors left home for lands far away to fight and defend our home land.

There are times that we must stand and defend our country and our heritage.

Today, we must defend our heritage and cause for which our ancestors stood.

As Christians we can be steady in our faith, knowing the Lord is with us.

I pray for each of you, your families and I pray for this country.  May we wake up and turn back to the Lord which brought this country into life.