Nathan Bedford Forrest Birthday Remembered Despite Statue Vandalization in Memphis

The evening of Friday July 8th the N.B.Forrest statue in Forrest Park in Memphis TN was vandalized with "Black Lives Matter" spray painted on the front of the granite base just above the General's and his wife's headstones.  Undetered and with around the clock police protection in the park, the Sons of Confederate Veterans and hundreds of friends observed Forrest's birthday on Sunday July 10th with a celebration in the park at 2pm which included free ice cold watermelon following the program. Nathan Bedford Forrest was born on July 13, 1821 and was one of the most brilliant and successful battlefield generals of the War for Southern Independence.  His monument in the park is threatened by the City of Memphis who wish to dishonor this hero and defender of Memphis and disinter his remains and move them and the statue elsewhere.  The SCV and like minded compatriots are fighting this short sighted bigoted attempt by the city of Memphis to diminish this important historical figure and remain steadfast in efforts to protect this majestic monument as well as the sacred burial site of Forrest and his wife.