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.
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