Southwest Central Brigade Alabama Division Sons of Confederate Veterans Flag Day

The day was uplifting and spirits were high as the Prattville Dragoons helped host the Southwest Central Brigade Confederate Flag Day on Saturday March 2nd. This year Confederate Memorial Park was chosen as the venue and many members of the public dropped in for free mini Battle Flags, Battle Flag stickers and free hot dogs with all the trimmings.  Camp stores were also sold to the visitors including ball caps, Confederate flags, Battle Flag tote bags, car tags, etc.  Dragoons' Quartermaster Bill Myrick even brought some of his world famous baked beans as a treat for lunch to compliment the dogs.  A bouncy house was available for the kids, plus free snow cones and other activities for the youngsters with reenactors set up nearby demonstrating reproduction period weapons and the Verbena fire department set up for a fundraiser next to their new fire truck. 

Brigade Commander Josh Stover set up a computer with internet access to  assist visitors in finding a Confederate ancestor and getting information for applications to join the SCV.  Josh stayed busy throughout the event and some visitors were surprised at what Josh was able to find for them using online genealogy research tools.   Division 2nd Lt. Commander Tim Steadman and Samual C. Kelly Camp Commander Zachery Grizzard joined us for a portion of our activities.  Dragoons present included Commander Waldo, Quartermaster Myrick with his wife Peggy, Adjutant Sutherland, Tom and Tyrone Crowley, Larry Spears, Harold Grooms, Beir Butler, Will Dismukes, and Josh Stover.

The SCV Library was open for the visitors and was manned by Librarians Tyrone Crowley and Vann Royal. Many visitors toured the Library with Tyrone and Vann helping some of them with research. The Reenactor living history area was set up adjacent to the library and manned by Beir Butler, Andy Bodenheimer.  They had weapons and military accoutrements on display for the visitors and presented very interesting details of how Confederate soldiers were armed and supplied.

Pictured below are 1) Commander Stuart Forrest Waldo with his new personal bust of General Nathan Bedford Forrest; 2) A portion of the visitors enjoying the refreshments we had to offer; 3) Brigade Commander Josh Stover helping some visitors locate their Confederate ancestor with an assist from Vann Royal; 4) Josh Stover, Zachery Grizzard and Division officer Tim Steadman showing the colors; 5) Dragoons' 1st Lt. Cmdr. Harold Grooms and Adjutant Wayne Sutherland preparing the refreshments; 6) Commander Waldo with his children Cooper and Julie; 7) visitors looking over the camp stores; 8) Visitors scrutinizing the reenactors' table; 9) CMP museum curator enjoying some of the refreshments; 10) Carol Crowley admiring the items being raffled by the Verbena Fire Department; 11) A beautiful camellia bush (the Alabama State Flower) in bloom at CMP; 12) Dragoon Will Dismukes with wife Amber and son Pratt. Pratt especially enjoyed the bouncy house!