Sons of Confederate Veterans Camp 1524 at the Prattville Independence Day Parade

Members, friends, and family of the Dragoons of SCV Camp 1524 participated in the Prattville Independence Day parade on Saturday July 4th.  The parade lineup was at 8am and the parade rolled at 9am, starting in front of the courthouse before making a left onto 4th Street, a right onto Washington and a left back onto Main Street before the final leg down Northington to the park and stadium.  It was very warm even that early in the morning but crowds gathered all along the parade route to catch candy tossed their way - the spots with tree shade were particularly popular.  Former camp and brigade commander Bill Myrick accompanied by his wife drove his truck which had a nice display of flags including the Bonnie Blue, Alabama Secession, Dragoon banner, and Alabama State flags standing in the bed of the truck.  Camp Commander Waldo and Comms Officer Davis carried the camp's Independence Day banner to lead the group.  Corporal represented the Mechanized Cavalry on his Harley Davidson while Camp 1524 Adjutant Butler drove his golf cart festooned with flags and red-white-and-blue bunting.  Doug also had music playing through a large speaker as well as a bubble maker with which he lined the streets with soapy bubbles.  Commander Waldo's family rode in the purple Charger, including his wife and son and daughter and another local member of the Children of the Confederacy.  It was an enjoyable start to the festivities for Independence Day in Prattville culminating with fireworks at dusk at the clock tower. 

Sons of Confederate Veterans Camp 1524 Chaplain's Column for July 2026 - Blessed is the Nation Whose God is the LORD

 

 "Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance." Psalm 33:12 (KJV)

As we gather to celebrate Independence Day this weekend, the pomp and pageantry (not to mention the rousing noise of fireworks and general gaiety) rightly remind us of our nation's founding. Yet for Christians, the greater reminder is that no nation is truly blessed because of its military strength, economic prosperity, or political institutions. According to the Scriptures, a nation's greatest blessing is found in acknowledging the sovereign Lord.

Psalm 33:12 is more than a patriotic verse; it is a timeless Biblical principle. Both in Scripture and in History, we see that Nations flourish when they seek God's righteousness and decline when they forget Him. This truth was well understood by many of the men who signed the Declaration of Independence. They spoke openly of Divine Providence, appealed to the Creator as the source of human rights, and called upon the people to seek God's favor through prayer and repentance. They recognized that liberty was not merely a political achievement but a sacred trust, to be exercised under the authority of Almighty God.

That same conviction was carried into later generations, including to our Confederate forefathers. Throughout the War Between the States, Confederate camps frequently held worship services, prayer meetings, and revivals. General Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson was an Elder in the Presbyterian Church. General Robert E. Lee was a devout Anglican layman who regularly attended Divine Service, even while beleaguered by Grant’s armies at Petersburg. And the Constitution of the Confederate States of America, unlike the Constitution of the United States, invoked “the favor and guidance of Almighty God” in its Preamble.

The true history of the new Nation brought forth on this Continent by the men who signed the Declaration of Independence in 1776 and the men who fought for its principles in 1861-1865 is that this was, from the beginning, a Christian Nation.     

That Nation today stands in great need of spiritual renewal. By the blessing of God, our Nation remains to us, and our land has been blessed with peace and prosperity. But in the midst of that peace and prosperity, our people have forgotten Him. It is for us, whose mission is to pass down the lessons of the true history of our Country to future generations, to remind our children and grandchildren of this lesson: Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord.”

The answer to our nation's deepest problems will not be found in elections alone, nor in wealth or power, but in humble hearts turning once again to the Lord. The promise of Psalm 33 remains as true today as when David first penned it: "Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD." For it is in the Kingdom of God, and in His righteousness, that our Republic found its first strength, and will find its long endurance.

May this Independence Day find us grateful for the blessings of liberty, mindful of the sacrifices of those who came before us, and above all, committed to seeking first the Kingdom of God.

            Deo Vindice!

SCV Camp 1524 Commander's Column - Shine Like Stars as Members of the Sons of Confederate Veterans

 

A recent sermon at my church reminded me of the challenges we face collaborating with other compatriots as members of the Sons of Confederate Veterans.  One of the frequent issues cited among camps is the interpersonal conflicts that often disrupt the good work we are trying to accomplish to further the Cause.  We sometimes lose site of the entire premise for being a part of the SCV as embodied in the Charge.  The sermon message pertained to Philippians 2:12-18 and instructed believers and their faith to “shine like stars” and similarly, when we gather with compatriots for SCV events and perform community service and outreach or recruiting events within our communities, we should strive to shine as positive lighthouses.  The core takeaway from Philippians 2:12-13 is to “let God’s work become visible in your life.”   Especially when we project to our friends and neighbors in our community, we need this to be in a positive light and highlight the great things the SCV does and what we are doing for the community in the way of service projects and donations and preserving historical vestiges including cemeteries and monuments.  We have used a poster exhibited in our recruiting booths to illustrate photos from school living history presentations and JROTC Hunley awards as well as cemetery maintenance and food drives and these have elicited statements of surprise from passers-by and potential detractors.   Put a spotlight on the positive things the SCV and your camp is doing. 

Those verses in Philippians also instruct believers to “refuse what dims the light.”   My takeaways from the sermon along these lines applicable to the SCV and camps is to curtail the complaining.  Minimize the grumbling and arguing – keep your eyes fixed on the Charge and why we are attempting to advance to Cause to honor our Confederate ancestors.  We are all volunteers in this organization and should respect the efforts of all compatriots and show humility in our interactions.  It is human nature to think our ideas, our way is best but we must strive to respect other perspectives and experiences and work together in a spirit of cooperation to further the Cause.  “Shine like stars, don’t whine like stars.”

The final message from the sermon pertained to Philippians 2:15-16 and the takeaway was to “live differently in a dark world.”  We are living in a dark and twisted generation.  Isiah 5:20 states, “Woe to those who call evil good and good evil.”  Today evil is framed as good and this is defined as “moral inversion or ethical deception”.  LGBQTXYZ is embraced as a normal alternative lifestyle.  Abortion is framed as personal choice and empowering women to have ultimate control of their body; they have lost sight of their bodies as a temple to the Lord and that another God-given human life is growing within them. Replacement of western cultures with third world migrants is presented as diversity, equity and inclusion.  Our vestiges to our Southern history and our noble honorable Confederate heroes are being desecrated, removed and destroyed.  Some of these are beautiful priceless works of art like the monuments which have graced the boulevards and parks in Richmond and Atlanta and other Southern towns.  We are attacked and denigrated as Lost Causers and slavery apologists.  But we know the truth of our Confederate ancestors’ struggle for independence and their brave defense of their homes and families in the face of insurmountable odds.  As SCV compatriots we should shine like stars, as examples of Southern gentlemen.  We must hold firmly to the Cause and be enthusiastic in advancing the Charge to a community which may be surprisingly unreceptive to the true history of the South, prepared to defend our ancestors virtues and the ideals which motivated them to secede from the Union and resist the tyrannical invading federal forces for four arduous years.

Upcoming Events for Confederate Compatriots

Upcoming Events for Confederate Compatriots  

 

Prattville Independence Day Parade – Saturday, July 4^th, 9am, Court and main St, downtown Prattville AL 

 

Prattville Dragoons July Camp Meeting – Thursday, July 9^th, 6pm Masonic Lodge, Prattville AL

 

SCV National Reunion – July 15-19, Griffin Gate Resort and Conference Center, Lexington KY

 

Dixie Butt Fundraiser/Distribution – Sat August 15^th, 8-10am, Herrod’s Chevron, Prattville AL

Prattville Dragoons Sons of Confederate Veterans Camp 1524 at the Clanton Peach Jam Festival

Members of the Prattville Dragoons SCV Camp 1524 sponsored a recruiting booth at the Peach Jam Festival in Clanton on Saturday June 27th.  It was a warm summer day but the Dragoons had a successful event providing a few SCV membership applications and chatting with men who expressed interest with the goal to start a new SCV camp in Clanton.  Items from the camp stores were also sold including flags, car tags, caps and shotglasses emblazoned with the Confederate Battle Flag.  Members of Camp 1524 at the Peach Jam Festival included Adjutant Butler who led the effort, Quartermaster Delegar, 2nd Lt Wade and 1st Lt Grooms. 

Prattville Dragoons Sons of Confederate Veterans Camp 1524 Meeting for June 2026 - The Defense Works of Atlanta

SCV Camp 1524 held their June meeting at the Smokehouse Pit BBQ, in Millbrook and it was very enjoyable with great service from the staff, a nice room to hold our meeting and delicious BBQ and drinks. Of course, fellowship with compatriots was best including Brother Schwartz who kept everyone entertained prior to the start of the meeting with traditional songs on his trusty guitar. Chaplain Johnson opened the meeting with a benediction after which Color Sgt Leverette led everyone in the pledge to the US falg and salutes to the Alabama state and Confederate flags. Commander Waldo then read the SCV Charge to those gathered. 1st Lt Grooms presented Bill Myrick with an appreciation award for his many years of faithful service as the camp Quartermaster stating that brother Myrick had been the camp quartermaster since Appomattox!

Next Commander Waldo awarded Camp Treasurer John Dennis the Alabama Division Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest award for his outstanding service of going above and beyond his camp duties as Color Sgt, Treasurer, participation in all the camp activities and leading the care of Indian Hill cemetery. Commander Waldo discussed camp business and upcoming events and then turned the floor over to our guest speaker, Dr. Lawrence Krumenaker. Dr. Krumenaker holds a Doctor of Philosophy from the University of Georgia and attended Michigan State and Case Western. He is a professional astronomer, science educator, and writer. He gave a compelling presentation on the defense of Atlanta and the specific battle lines including the Outer Lines, the Inner ring defenses designed by Lenuel Grant and anchored by triangular forts called shoupades which were assembled to withstand the advance of Sherman's armies in 1864 to protect the city and citizens in and surrounding Atlanta. His presentation also showed remanants of these lines and forts and oftentimes the modern buildings and roadways constructed atop these obscuring any resemblance to those historic fortifications. It was a good comprehensive overview presentation of the defense of this key Confederate rail hub and city of Atlanta. Commander Waldo closed the meeting with the SCV Closing and Chaplain Johnson saw everyone off with an Invocation. Another enjoyable gathering of Camp 1524.

Prattville Dragoons Sons of Confederate Veterans Camp 1524 Members at the 103rd Alabama Division Children of the Confederacy Convention

Members of the Prattville Dragoons Sons of Confederate Veterans Camp 1524 Members attended the 103rd Alabama Division Children of the Confederacy Convention held at the Confederate Memorial Park in Marbury AL on Saturday June 13th.  Camp 1524 Adjutant Butler was on the reenactment color guard led by Brigade Commander Jeremy Boothe and they posted colors to open the Comvention.  Additionally, from Camp 1524, Commander Waldo, compatriot Crowley and his wife and compatriot Schwartz were also in attendance.  Following posting of the colors, the CofC Creed was recited and pledges and salutes made to the Christian, Alabama State, and Confederate flags.  A welcome to guests including UDC officers was made by President Waldo presiding over the Convention.  She also provided a President's report for activities completed in her chapter furthering the Cause undertaken during her tenure.  The Tuscaloosa chapter also provided a report for activities of that chapter from the last year.  Elections were then held and Camp 1524 Commander Waldo's son was announced as the new President for the coming year.  A wreath was laid at the cemetery there at Confederate Memorial Park and two volley salutes were provided by the reenactors as part of an honor guard for that ceremony.  Following, a luncheon was served with chicken nuggets, chili sauced meatballs, pasta salad, chips, brownies, cookies, fruit and a celebratory cake along with beverages for everyone in attendance.  The UDC Division President then presented a General Robert E Lee award to Ms. Bearden for her tremendous work with the UDC and the CofC and also presented the two graduating CofC members aging out with checks for their college checking accounts. It was a great 103rd annual Children of the Confederacy convention.