Prattville Dragoons Sons of Confederate Veterans August 2020 Camp Meeting

 The Dragoons had an overflow crowd of over 36 people for their August 2020 camp meeting held at the Masonic Lodge in downtown Prattville.  The Chaplain started the meeting with an Invocation followed by Color Sgt Dennis leading everyone in the pledge to the US flag and salutes to the Alabama state flag and the Confederate Battle Flag.  Commander Waldo then recited Gen. Stephen D. Lee's Charge to the Sons of Confederate Veterans.  There were a number of special guests in attendance including Butch and Pat Godwin and a number of SCV members from Montgomery including Thomas Goode Jones Camp Commander Barry Leach Sr and his wife.  Upcoming events and announcements were then highlighted by Commander Waldo.  

Dragoons Comms Officer Doug Butler and Andy Bodenheimer presented the program on the planning required to host a reenactment event.  They are helping to start a new reenactment event near Gadsden later in 2020 and are in the midst of planning that event.  They stated that there are three entities which are required to come together for such an event, the landowner, the public and the reenactors.  The first requirement is to determine where to have the reenactment which involves coming together with a landowner.  Then, improvements will need to be made for the reenactors encampment and the battle staging area as well as to host the visitors.  Clearing trees and brush, cutting in access roads including perhaps a bridge over a creek or ditch, electrical, water, and sites for encampments and parking are some of the infrastructure improvements necessary.  The Dragoons are sponsoring one of the porta-toilets which will be named - The Camp 1524 "North of the Mason Dixon Teleporter".  Notifications to attract the 300+ reenactors but also to touch base with local police and fire departments as well as neighbors to notify them of the schedule and traffic and noise.  Advertisements including social media and flyers and programs are needed. 

Product to sell the public includes not just the events like the reenactment but also sutler wares, food and beverage as well as events and educational opportunities like ladies tea, cannon and musket salutes, dances, presentations on children's toys of the period, clothing, soldier's equipment, nursing in the War Between the States and any variety of things.  They are planning on also having Peter the Patriot to impersonate Major Pelham and another special guest is the daughter of one of the artisans/sculptors who helped with the Stone Mountain (GA) bas-relief sculpture.  A church service hosted by General Robert E. Lee is planned for Sunday.   

Reenactments have a lifespan of about 20-25 years and typically towards the end of that timeframe, the participants/planners get into what Doug and Andy called robot mode where the enthusiasm wanes, things go untended, innovation and new ideas stop flowing.  The now defunct Battle of Selma reenactment was cited as an example as it was once a prime attraction for the community bringing thousands of visitors.  The WBTS reenactment near Tampa FL was in the news as the organizers announced this would be the final year because of lower participation, spectators and revenue.  The organizers of this new event are keeping a running list of planning notes and potential improvements and additions/enhancements for future year's events. 

State House Representative Will Dismukes was offered the floor to make a statement as he and his family have been embroiled in controversy recently with Will's statements and actions in support of Confederate history and heritage including the protection of monuments.  Will is a member of Camp 1524.  He stated that the SCV can no longer be silent otherwise the militant progressives will dictate what we do and say and the SCV and those who cherish Southern heriatge will be "Gone With the Wind". Will made a powerful statement that he had done nothing to apologize for in his vocal support for Southern heritage on the record and in attending events like SCV Camp 1524 meetings where the history of the Confederacy and it's outstanding leaders and figures and the events which shaped the WBTS are presented and discussed.  Will was met with a number of rounds of applause and a a standing ovation at the conclusion of his statement.

  

Prattville Dragoons Dixie Butt Fundraiser

 Members of the Sons of Confederate Veterans Camp 1524 completed their annual Dixie butt fundraiser on Saturday August 15th, distributing the delicious Smokin S butts to those who had ordered them ahead.  This is the camp's sole fundraiser for which monies for the camp treasury are generated to help fun all the camp initiatives including donations to the Alabama State Archives for historic flag conservation, JROTC awards for local high schools, flags to set at veteran's graves, pizza lunches for local police departments as part of Law Enforcement Appreciation Week, entries to local parades and festivals for community outreach, and advertisements to highlight Confederate History and Heritage Month (April), Robert E Lee's birthday, and Christmas seasonal billboard ads and many other things throughout the year.  This Saturday was overcast which was nice to keep the temperature down on the pavement in the Chevron parking lot where a canopy with camp banner was set up.  This is always a very enjoyable time to fellowship as we waited for customers to pull thru and we could thank them for their patronage and contribution.  It was another very successful fundraiser with 100 butts sold plus additional donations.  Color Sgt John Dennis led the effort acting as the point person for keeping the tally of sales and receipts before and during the distribution.  1st Lt Harold Grooms, 2nd Lt Karl Wade, Adjutant Wayne Sutherland, Chaplain David B., and compatriot Darrell Haywood manned the tent to hand out the butts.  Many of the Dragoons' camp members came by including Rob Schwartz, Larry Spears, Comms Ofc Doug Butler, and compatriot Dale Boyles (all pictured below).  

Sons of Confederate Veterans Camp 1524 Prattville Dragoons August Cemetery Maintenance Workday at Robinson Springs Cemetery

The Dragoons of Camp 1524 conducted a maintenance workday at Robinson Springs cemetery in Millbrook AL on Saturday morning, August 8th.  Camp 1st Lt Harold Grooms, Quartermaster Bill Myrick, Color Sgt John Dennis, Adjutant Wayne Sutherland, new member Rob Schwartz, and compatriot Tyrone Crowley constituted the crew this morning.  John actually went back to his house to get his riding mower to help with the larger expanses of grass.  The men used push mowers, trimmers and leaf blowers to clean all around and between the grave sites. Robinson Springs Cemetery is an historic cemetery on Hwy 14 in Millbrook and is the final resting place of a number of the areas founders as well as a number of Confederate Veterans.  The Dragoons maintain this cemetery as part of the SCV's Guardian Program.  Following the work at Robinson Springs, Quartermaster Myrick stopped by the Dragoons monuments at the Primary school off Washington Street in downtown Prattville to clean up around those historic markers and spray weed killer.  That location was where, in 1861, Miss Abbie Holt the girls of the Male and Female Academy there presented a flag to the Lieutenant A.Y. Smith and Dragoons who were mustered there before they rode off to their encampment and to join the War effort.

Prattville Dragoons Chaplain Column for August 2020 - No Easy Passage in Tumultuous Times

 “My times are in thy hand: 

deliver me from the hand of mine enemies, and from them that persecute me.” Psalm 31:15

 

As I read the passage above from Psalms and I thought about what 2020 has wrought for us in the SCV and specifically a member of our own camp, I once again tried to pry into the mind of the Lord and ask “why?” 

As I delved further into scripture, I came upon Matthew 5:11, which reminded me that God promises no easy passage in this world. Quite the opposite, in fact, as it states,  “Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.”

 

Gentlemen, we are to be in this world, but not of this world. Remember the glorious reward that awaits us with the Almighty in paradise.

 

As I was reminded at the National Reunion earlier this month, there are still more for us than against us. Unfortunately, our enemies are louder than our friends. But, take heart, because, in the end, WE WIN! God has already won the battle for us. Blessed be His name!

 

May God continue to watch over you and your families and protect you all.

And may God save the South!

Remember those on our prayer list.

Prattville Dragoons Commander's Column for August 2020 - Fundraiser Contributions to Carry Forth the Charge with Camp Initiatives

 The Prattville Dragoons, Sons of Confederate Veterans Camp 1524 is concluding our annual fundraiser, selling delicious Smokin S smoked butts to be available for distribution or pickup on Saturday August 15th.  Today as much as ever, the SCV recognizes and appreciates those who wish to preserve their Southern history and heritage.  Our Confederate monuments as well as historical monuments for many of our nation’s founders and defenders are under attack in what can justly be described as a culture war.  The Sons of Confederate Veterans is the preeminent Confederate heritage organization and is dedicated to the preservation of Confederate history and the legacy of our Confederate soldier ancestors for future generations so all may understand the true history of that period and the ideals and motivations which defined the Southern Cause.  This annual fundraiser is our sole effort for the camp treasury to fund our activities and initiatives to carry forth the Charge, to defend “the Confederate soldier's good name, to guard his history, to perpetuate those principles he loved and which made him glorious.” 

Camp 1524 is a very active camp dedicated to the SCV Charge to guard our Southern history and heritage and perpetuate the ideals our ancestors cherished in the defense of their homeland.   The SCV and Camp 1524 are a 501.c.3. organization using funds generated thru membership dues and fundraisers in many ways as part of our outreach, community service and benevolent initiatives.  In the past year, our camp has continued to maintain a number of local historic cemeteries including Indian Hill and Robinson Springs, mowing and  trimming the grass throughout the growing season.   The camp places flags (Confederate and US) on veteran's graves at local cemeteries for Memorial Day(s).   Annually the camp makes a $500 donation to the Alabama State Archives for historic flag and artifacts preservation.  Camp members volunteer at a Salvation Army red kettle during the Christmas season for two days.  Two canned food drives were completed in the past year including our annual Thanksgiving food drive and another one for COVID19 relief for the Autauga Interfaith Care Center local food bank;  over $1200 and hundreds of pounds of food were donated to AICC to assist those in need.   As part of National Law Enforcement Appreciation Week, Camp 1524 provided a pizza lunch for the local law enforcement agencies (Prattville PD and Autauga Sheriff’s offices).   Members did living history presentations at a local school and for community historical organizations and events.  SCV Hunley awards were presented at two local high schools to recognize outstanding student JROTC cadets.  Members also helped with other initiatives including interstate mega-flag maintenance, and setting new memorial monuments across the state and region. The Dragoons have made a monetary and artwork donation to the new National Confederate Museum at the SCV Headquarters at Elm Springs in Tennessee.  The camp conducts monthly meetings with presenters who include university professors, authors and other experts in relevant historical events and topics.  The Dragoons also participate in a number of local fairs, festivals and parades as community outreach.  

We feel SCV Camp 1524 provides many worthwhile services and charitable initiatives in our community.  To enable the continuation of these activities, we need the participation and support of each member.  In addition to providing each participating person a delicious smoked butt from Smokin S of Wetumpka, proceeds from the sale provide funds for the camp to make these donations, purchase goods for the camp stores, place advertisements for special yearly holidays and events, and pay entry fees for city parades and festivals.  A portion of purchases may be tax deductible as SCV Camp 1524 is a 501.c.3. charitable organization.  Now more than ever we can see our enemies for what they are, opposing the very ideals of our founding fathers and their Confederate defenders, they are Marxist anarchists.   They seek the removal of the very foundations of our country and it’s constitution to be replaced with a globalist socialism.  They reject authority and Biblical moral principles for agnostic LGBQT mayhem.  Your continued support for the Sons of Confederate Veterans, for the Prattville Dragoons and those public defenders of our community, our Southern heritage and our constitutional republic is imperative today. 

Upcoming Events for Confederate Compatriots

 From the Camp 1524 Dispatch August 2020 newsletter.

Robinson Springs Cemetery Workday - Saturday August 8th, 8am at the cemetery, Hwy 14, Millbrook AL

Prattville Dragoons August Camp Meeting - Thursday August 13th, 6pm, Prattville Masonic Lodge

Dragoons Dixie Butt Distribution - Saturday, August 15th, 8-10 am, Herrod’s Chevron, Prattville

Dragoons Fall Muster – Clay shooting and picnic, October Saturday, Dismuke’s  Peninsula Ln, Millbrook

Prattville Dragoons SCV Camp 1524 Community Service Initiatives

Camp 1524 is a very active camp dedicated to the SCV charge to guard our Southern history and heritage and perpetuate the ideals our ancestors cherished in the defense of their homeland.   The SCV and Camp 1524 are a 501.c.3. organization using funds generated thru membership dues and fundraisers in many ways as part of our outreach, community service and benevolent initiatives.  In the past year, our camp has continued to maintain a number of local historic cemeteries including Indian Hill and Robinson Springs, mowing and  trimming the grass throughout the growing season.   The camp places flags (Confederate and US) on veteran's graves at local cemeteries for Memorial Day(s).   Annually the camp makes a $500 donation to the Alabama State Archives for historic flag and artifacts preservation.  Camp members volunteer at a Salvation Army red kettle during the Christmas season for two days.  Two canned food drives were completed in the past year including our annual Thanksgiving food drive and another one for COVID19 relief for the Autauga Interfaith Care Center local food bank;  over $1200 and hundreds of pounds of food were donated to AICC to assist those in need.   As part of National Law Enforcement Appreciation Week, Camp 1524 provided a pizza lunch for the local law enforcement agencies (Prattville PD and Autauga Sheriff’s offices).   Members did living history presentations at a local school and for community historical organizations and events.  SCV Hunley awards were presented at two local high schools to recognize outstanding student JROTC cadets.  Members also helped with other initiatives including interstate mega-flag maintenance, and setting new memorial monuments across the state and region. The Dragoons have made a monetary and artwork donation to the new National Confederate Museum at the SCV Headquarters at Elm Springs in Tennessee.  The camp conducts monthly meetings with presenters who include university professors, authors and other experts in relevant historical events and topics.  The Dragoons also participate in a number of local fairs, festivals and parades as community outreach.   

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