It was a memorable camp meeting on Thursday night for the 30+ members and guests who attended at a new meeting place which was changed on short notice when Shoney's in Prattville closed for good. The facilities at this temporary
meeting place, the Prattville Masonic Lodge, were excellent and the meal
provided by member Greg Swanner, wife Felicia and daughter Rachel was
outstanding. Compatriot Will Dismukes made the arrangements to
meet at the Lodge so many thanks to him and the officers of the
Lodge for the accommodations.
1st Lt Harold Grooms led the meeting in the absence of camp Commander Waldo and provided the reading of the SCV Charge as well as announcements of upcoming events and items of note for the camp including the Dragoons' EC decision to donate a life size bronze bust of Nathan Bedford Forrest to the new SCV National Confederate Museum in Elm Springs. The Dixie Butt fund raiser was kicked off by distributing tickets to many members
present. The butts remain $29 this year and tickets need to be distributed so the camp can sell as many tickets as possible before our distribution date of 11 August.
The speaker for the evening was Compatriot Shannon Fontaine who spoke in first
person as Confederate Navy Lt. Sardine Granham Stone from Mobile who told
stories of his time on the CSS Florida and some of his colorful shipmates. As
always, Shannon had a well researched topic and delivered it in factual and
humorous style.
Past
Brigade Commander Butch Godwin was present to give out Brigade and Division
awards that were presented at the recent Alabama Division Reunion. The Dragoons
received the Brigade Camp of the Year award and as Butch said, narrowly
missed receiving the state Camp of the Year award. Many individual awards were
presented to deserving camp members. Butch has been an excellent Brigade
Commander for the last 2 years helping the camp much during his term but will still participate in meetings and events with the Dragoons.
His
replacement as Brigade Commander is Dragoon Josh Stover who is “hitting the
ground running” as the old saying goes. Josh spoke about the goals and
objectives for the Brigade and the Division for the next 2 years. These goals
include placing more Confederate monuments in the state and increasing training
and communication at all levels in the Division.
There
was a significant and touching presentation by 14 year old Dragoon member Tate
Swanner. Tate is pursuing his Eagle Scout designation with the Boy Scouts and
explained his Eagle Scout project. He is gathering funds and material to build
and provide bookcases, tables, and chairs to the Blanket Fort Hope project; a
non-profit organization to help victims of child human trafficking in the
United States. This is a sad commentary on our society but it is happening.
More details at this website: https://blanketforthope.org
Tate
needs funds and material to build and provide the aforementioned items to
Blanket Fort Hope for these children to have a place to gather in peace, talk
and read books as they are provided education. If you would like to donate to
Tate’s project, make checks payable to BLANKET FORT HOPE with TATE SWANNER
EAGLE PROJECT in the subject line. All donations are tax deductible. Checks can
be mailed to
TATE
SWANNER
1494
COUNTY ROAD 79
BILLINGSLEY,
AL 36006
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| Thee Swanners Catered a Meal for the Camp Meeting |
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| Camp Meeting Attendees |
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| Shannon Fontaine as Confederate Navy Lt. Sardine Granham Stone |
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| Bill Gill and Harold Grooms Working Dixie Butt Tickets |
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| Commander Waldo Receives Brigade Camp of the Year Award for the Dragoons |
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| Brigade Commander Josh Stover |
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| Greg and Tate Swanner Present Eagle Scout Project to Benefit Blanket Fort Hope |
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