Monument Dedication At Confederate Park in Luverne

Compatriot David Coggins and his faithful group of men held a spectacular Confederate monument dedication in Luverne on Saturday 5 May. The new impressive Confederate soldier monument was placed atop a concrete base overlooking Hwy 331 among the numerous other monuments, flags and cannon.  A rifle and cannon salute was performed to help dedicate the monuments. The local Clanton’s Battery provided the cannon salute.  Most of the men who work on these projects and in the Battery are members of the Ben Bricken SCV Camp in Luverne.  There was live music from a Southern Rock band playing Sweet Home Alabama, The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down, Dixie and other favorites. David led the ceremony by explaining the purpose and history of the Park; he and his men have done an outstanding job of displaying our Confederate symbols in a most conspicuous place adjacent to US  Hwy 331 just south of Luverne.  Division Commander Jimmy Hill and Army of Tennessee Commander Larry McCluney were present and participated in the festivities. Commander Hill spoke of the flags and monuments that have recently been put up in Alabama and explained that more are planned.   The  Prattville Dragoons had a booth where we sold flags and other Quartermaster stores, snow cones, popcorn and cold bottled water. The proceeds go into our camp treasury. Bill Myrick, Commander Waldo, Josh Stover and the Stover and Waldo children manned the booth and did an exceptional job of hawking wares and serving the public.  Dragoons present included Commander Waldo, Josh Stover, Bill Myrick, Tyrone Crowley, Bill Gill, Don Owens, Rob Heyward and Larry Spears.   With our Confederate symbols under vicious attack, this is a great way to show the public that our Southern Heritage will not die; in fact we are seeing a renewed effort to promote our heritage.