Prattville Dragoons Sons of Confederate Veterans Wish Everyone a Very Merry Christmas

SCV Camp 1524 electronic billboard Christmas greetings in downtown Prattville AL December 2021.

Sons of Confederate Veterans Camp 1524 Christmas Social for 2021

The Dragoons of Camp 1524 held their annual Christmas Social on Friday evening December 10th at the historic Buena Vista antebellum mansion in Prattville.  Members and guests enjoyed a social hour with piano music starting at 6pm enjoying some General Lee eggnog and apple pie moonshine provided by Comms Officer Doug Butler and his wife.  A delicious meal was catered by Smokin S BBQ out of Wetumpka including smoked turkey, dressing, green bean casserole, and sweet potato casserole along with peach cobbler and banana pudding for desserts.   After everyone enjoyed their supper a program was conducted starting with Commander Waldo introducing the camp officers in attendance and reciting the Charge to the Sons of Confederate Veterans.  A history presentation of Buena Vista was made by Darlene Leistner of the Autauga County Heritage Association which owns and manages the property.  Compatriot Rob Schwartz played his guitar and sand a selection of three Confederate songs including “The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down”.  Commander Waldo’s wife read an historic accounting of Christmas in Atlanta in 1863 which was a somber time for the residents and the Confederacy with Sherman’s Union forces bearing down on Georgia.   Mrs. Waldo and Adjutant Sutherland then conducted the doorprize drawing which included the wonderful table centerpieces provided by Quartermaster Myrick and his wife.  1st Lt Grooms led a quartet including himself, Commander Waldo, Quartermaster Myrick and Mr. Schwartz in a Christmas football musical amalgam.   Lt. Grooms then led everyone in the singing of a number of classic Christmas carols to conclude the program proper.  Then for the closing, pianist and 1^st Lt. Grooms led everyone in a rousing Dixie and Chaplain Brantley reminded everyone of the true meaning of and reason for Christmas and sent everyone off with a benediction to close the evening.  It was a very enjoyable evening to spend with Confederate compatriots to bring another eventful and tumultuous year to a close with some cheerful holiday fellowship.

Prattville Dragoons SCV Camp 1524 Chaplain’s Column for December 2021 - Finding Christmas

 

"Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."    Romans 15:13

 

Christmas is so exciting when you are a kid. Santa Claus, the lights, the food, and, of course, the presents.

 

Sometimes, as we get older, we lose some or all of that joy. This may just be one year or several strung together. We have presents to buy, bills to pay and very little time to catch our breath. We might get a brief respite when we have kids watching them enjoy the holiday as we once did, but that fades as they get older and cynical.

 

For others, even still, there may be darker things afoot. Depression, loss of a loved one, financial trouble, medical issues and so forth. One church in Montgomery is even having a "blue Christmas" service as there is such a strong need for help. And as I work retail each year, I sadly see the worst in folks this time of year when we should be at our best.

 

Why? What happened? To borrow the phrase, we have simply forgotten "the reason for the season." We are a world shrouded in darkness that seems to worsen every day.

 

But there is a light that no darkness can overcome. The light of Jesus Christ. We celebrate this time of the year because He came in to this world so that our sins would be forgiven. Luke 2 is my favorite rendition of the birth of Jesus Christ. One of my favorite memories of Christmas past was my father reading from the book of Luke at Christmas dinner. After everything we had done that day, it was a reminder of what the day really was about. I continue that tradition today and hope my stepdaughter does as well one day.

 

Clear the mental and spiritual clutter. Supply shortages? COVID concerns? Government strife? All distractions. Keep your eyes on the throne and on the real reason for Christmas, the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!

 

Hallelujah! He is born!

SCV Camp 1524 Prattville Dragoons Ring the Bell for the Salvation Army Red Kettle Christmas Charity Fundraising

Saturday December 11th, members of the Sons of Confederate Veterans Camp 1524 manned the Salvation Army red kettle in front of the Prattville Winn Dixie to ring the bell and take donations for this worthy charitable organization.  The Dragoons have turned this into an annual community service event for the camp to raise money for the needy serviced by the Salvation Army mission.  A severe line of storms moved thru midday but didn’t deter the men from manning the kettle from 9am til 7pm on Saturday.  Dragoons 2^nd Lt Karl Wade helps coordinate the effort communicating and scheduling with the local Salvation Army office.  Quartermaster Myrick, Color Sgt Dennis, 1^st Lt Grooms, Commander Waldo and compatriots Bill Branch, Tyrone Crowley, Rob Schwartz, Thomas Griffith, Terry Fitzpatrick, and Larry Spears took shifts throughout the day.  The Dragoons always take in very good receipts at the kettle they are assigned, wishing all passers-by a Merry Christmas and thanking them for their generosity supporting the Salvation Army.  A terrific way for SCV Camp 1524 to bring the spirit of Christmas giving to our community of Prattville.

Dragoons of SCV Camp 1524 Participate in Prattville 2021 Christmas Parade

The first event of the Christmas season was the ever enjoyable Prattville Christmas parade Friday evening December 3rd.  In preparation members of Camp 1524 decorated a trailer as the camp's parade entry float including string lights and a tree with tinsel and a display of flags including historic WBTS banners - the original Prattville Dragoons banner which resembles a swallowtail First National Flag was in the center with the current Alabama state flag on one side and the SCV national banner on the other.  The Alabama secession flag was on the outside on one side flanked by the Bonnie Blue on the other.  Camp Commander Waldo along with Color Sgt Dennis and Quartermaster Myrick and compatriot Doug Smith helped decorate the float Friday morning at a spot downtown near the parade starting point.  At dusk, the trailer was pulled around to queue for the parade start at 7pm.  There eventually were around 100 floats and entries for the parade so it took over a half hour for the last of the parade to finally start down Court St.  The crowds were enormous 10 and 15 people deep all along Court and Main St and stretched all the way down along Northington and Doster Rd to the stadium which marked the end point for the parade.  Commander Waldo drove the truck pulling the float while Tyrone Crowley dressed as President Jefferson Davis rode on the float waving to the spectators lining the parade route and wishing all a Merry Christmas; Mrs. Waldo and their son and Mrs. Crowley also rode in the truck and tossed hundreds of candy canes and other candy to the children watching the parade.  Compatriots Darrell Haywood and Doug Smith carried the camp's Christmas banner leading the truck and 1st Lt Grooms along with Rob Schwartz, Color Sgt Dennis, and Quartermaster Myrick flanked the truck and trailer to prevent the spectators from encroaching on the vehicle and gave out candy to everyone with holiday greetings.  It was a very enjoyable event to ring in the Christmas season and a great opportunity for the camp to show the colors to thousands of Prattville and area neighbors.

Commander's Column - Disproving the Perpetual Myth of Union Abolition for Lincoln’s War

When reviewing tweets recently one caught my attention as it directly and resolutely substantiated the cause of Lincoln’s War as documented legislation.  It is known by most Confederate compatriots that in Lincoln’s first inaugural address he stated he had “no purpose, directly or indirectly, to interfere with the institution of slavery in the States where it exists. I believe I have no lawful right to do so, and I have no inclination to do so.”  “Lincoln explicitly stated that he had no objection to the proposed Corwin Amendment to the Constitution (which protected slavery in perpetuity in the Union), which had already been approved by both houses of the United States Congress.  Lincoln promised that there would be no use of force against the South, unless it proved necessary for him to fulfill his obligation to "hold, occupy, and possess the property and places" belonging to the federal government, and to collect legal duties and imposts.” (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abraham_Lincoln%27s_first_inaugural_address) 

This recent tweet cited the Crittenden-Johnson Resolution of July 1861:

“Resolved by the House of Representatives of the Congress of the United States, That the present deplorable civil war has    been forced upon the country by the disunionists of the southern States now in revolt against the constitutional government, and in arms around the capital.” Members approved this branch by a vote of 121-2. The dissenters, Henry C. Burnett of Kentucky and John W. Reid of Missouri, later joined the Confederacy.  The second branch declared that the Federal war effort should not disrupt the southern way of life: “That in this national emergency, Congress, banishing all feelings of mere passion or resentment, will recollect only its duty to the whole country; that this war is not waged on their part in any spirit of oppression, or for any purpose of conquest or subjugation, or purpose of overthrowing or interfering with the rights or established institutions of those (Confederate) States, but to defend and maintain the supremacy of the Constitution, and to preserve the Union with all the dignity, equality, and rights of the several States unimpaired; and that as soon as these objects are accomplished the war ought to cease.”  This was consistent with President Abraham Lincoln’s pledge in his inaugural address to preserve the Union but not to interfere with slavery where it already existed. Members approved this branch by a vote of 119-2.”

(https://civilwarmonths.com/2021/07/25/the-crittenden-johnson-resolution-2/)

These factual records including the inaugural address and the Resolution which passed in the US legislative bodies is absolute proof of the cause of the War.  It was Lincoln’s War to “preserve the Union” and to maintain control of the ports and associated tariff income for the US treasury.  The abolitionists only subsequently gained a foothold to push political language to substantiate emancipation as a goal of the war to subjugate the South and this was met with resistance by Union leaders including Grant who “was never an abolitionist (and only came to realize as the War dragged on and in lockstep with the Emancipation Proclamation) that the end of slavery was necessary for Union victory.” (Journal of the Civil War Era Vol. 9, No. 3 (SEPTEMBER 2019), Nicholas Sacco)  A war measure.   So it was subsequent to that when Union military leaders saw the benefit to draft thousands of blacks to use as cannon fodder and to incite a slave insurrection/revolt. 

It is so important to know the historical record which substantiates the true Cause for which our ancestors fought and died.  This is a season which we should reflect on the severe deprivations the Confederate soldiers endured in their fight for independence and to protect their homes and families from the invading Union armies.  The Confederate soldiers were away from their families suffering through severe winter conditions and food and material shortages far away from their homes.  We owe them the honor of a remembrance of their heroic struggle, a rich heritage and our Southern culture.  It was these times and circumstances too which resulted in a Christian revival where thousands came to know Christ as the “reason for the season”.  I want to personally thank all the members of the Prattville Dragoons Camp 1524 for an outstanding year as we returned to a relative sense of normalcy from the covid pandemic shutdown and carried forward the Charge hosting the annual Division Reunion and with community projects and events which raise awareness of the Cause and the good work of the SCV.   Looking forward to the holiday events including our worthwhile Salvation Army red kettle bell ringing for charity as well as festive community parades and our always enjoyable Christmas Social.   Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas, continued health and safety and, a prosperous and Happy New Year. 

Upcoming Events for Confederate Compatriots

 

Upcoming Events for Confederate Compatriots

Prattville Christmas Parade – Friday, December 3, at 7:00 pm starting from Court St, downtown Prattville

Battle of Bibb Furnace Reenactment – Friday thru Sunday, December 3rd-5th, Brierfield Iron Works Park AL

Dragoons’ Christmas Social – 6-9pm, Friday Dec. 10th at Buena Vista, CR 4, Prattville

Salvation Army Bell Ringing – 9am – 8pm, Saturday Dec. 11^th at Winn Dixie, Prattville

Vida Christmas Parade – Saturday, December 18th, Vida Community Center, Vida AL; noon lineup for 2:30 pm parade

Millbrook Revelers Mardi Gras Parade and Festival – Saturday Feb 19^th, 9am festival, noon parade, Millbrook AL

Prattville Dragoons Sons of Confederate Veterans Camp 1524 Annual Thanksgiving Canned Food Drive Benefitting the Autauga Interfaith Care Center

Throughout the past month, members of SCV Camp 1524 have accumulated canned and dry goods and contributed donations as part of the camp's annual Thanksgiving drive to benefit the food pantry at the Autauga Interfaith Care Center in Prattville AL.  Communication Officer Doug Butler and his garage acted as the repository for all the foodstuffs.   Over 300 pounds of canned and dry food goods were donated and many members also contributed cash which the AICC can use to purchase food wholesale.  On Tuesday morning November 16th, 2nd Lt Karl Wade, Doug, and compatriots Rob Schwartz and Tyrone Crowley took the food by the AICC pantry where they met Josette Dudle and presented her the load of food and a check for $500 which rolled up the camp members donations and camp matching funds.  This food is invaluable to provide to needy families in the Autauga county area and Prattville community especially as the Thanksgiving holiday approaches.  This is a terrific community service project which the Dragoons perform annually.  

Prattville Dragoons Sons of Confederate Veterans Camp 1524 Meeting for November 2021 - Vexillology of Confederate Flags

 A great number of members and friends of SCV Camp 1524 gathered on Thursday evening November 11th at the Prattville Masonic Lodge for the monthly meeting despite the stormy conditions and road construction approaching the Lodge.  Rob Schwartz volunteered to play his guitar and sing "The Ballad of the Rebel Soldier" to open the meeting in superb fashion.  1st Lt Harold Grooms led everyone in an Invocation in the absence of the chaplain.  Color Sgt John Dennis led everyone in the pledge to the US Flag and salutes to the Alabama State Flag and Confederate Battle Flag; Commander Stuart Waldo then recited the SCV Charge.  As the camp meeting night coincided with Veterans Day, Harold then provided a special recognition of all the many Army, Navy and Air Force veterans in the camp, playing the service song for each of the branches of the Armed Forces while he gave a rousing brief history of the song and the respective branch.  Stuart then highlighted the upcoming events including the wrap-up of the camp's canned food drive, the Tallassee Battles for the Amory reenactment the coming weekend and the Christmas season activities.  It was just learned of the passing of former Commander Wyatt Willis' wife Betty and so he and I-65 Flag Chair David Smith (in the passing of his father) were mentioned as special prayer requests.  Final thoughts regarding the recent successful Fall Muster and Autauga County Fair booth were expressed as fantastic events.    

Col. Jayson Altieri provided the presentation on the Vexillology (Study) of the Confederate and (period) Alabama State Flags.  The Confederate flags expressed and reflected the prevailing attitude of states rights and varied greatly across the Confederacy initially.  The First National Flag, the Stars and Bars was first flown on March 4, 1861 in Montgomery and was inspired by the Austrian National Flag, designed by Prussian Nicola Marschall.  One of the first acts of the Provisional Confederate Congress was to create a national flag and seal.  This committee was chaired by William Porcher Miles.  The sentiment for many was that they wanted to retain the design elements of Old Glory which reflected the values of the founding fathers to which the Cause ascribed.  

The First National Flag actually went thru four iterations as starts were added for additional states admitted to the Confederacy, first seven (in Montgomery), then nine (from May 21-July 2, 1861) then eleven (from July 2 - Nov 28, 1861), and finally thirteen (from Nov 28, 1861 - May 1, 1863).  The Stars and Bars led the Confederate troops into the early battles of the War for Southern Independence but it was soon realized that in the "Fog and Friction" of war, such as at the Battle of Manassas that the First National was difficult o differentiate from Old Glory especially when laying limp.  The soldiers wearing similar uniforms further confused the issue of identification of the troops; Home Guards across the US and Confederacy wore grey cloth for instance.  Following Manassas, Gen. P.G.T. Beauregard commissioned a new Battle Flag with the saltire cross of St. Andrews on a red background representing the good Christian fight.  

The Battle Flag was eventually incorporated into the Second National Flag or Stainless Banner.  The problem again with the Stainless Banner in battle was that when limp, the white cloth symbolizing purity could be mistaken for a flag of surrender. The Stainless Banner was that laid on the casket of Gen. Stonewall Jackson.  Even with these standardized National Flags, there were many others used by Confederate units with interesting symbolism.  The Bonnie Blue flag has a single white star on a blue background; the star represented the state seceding from the Union.  Van Dorn's flag from Missouri incorporated a crescent moon which symbolized a new birth and beginning.  The crescent moon on the South Carolina flag represented medieval armor, a gorget worn around the neck to protect that vital area.  Native Americans were an integral part of the Confederate fighting force and Gen. Stan Waite who led the Cherokee Braves was the last Confederate General to surrender; the flag of the Cherokee Braves incorporated five red stars which represented the five civilized tribes.  The Choctaw Brigade from Northern Mississippi had their unique flag.  Polk's flag incorporating the St. George's cross conveyed his strong Christian faith as bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Louisiana before the War and founder of the Episcopal Church in the Confederacy.  Confederate units would often paint the names of the battles in which they fought on their banners, the precursor of the later streamers. Yankee forced largely fought under the U.S. flag. The Prattville Dragoons flag which is of a swallowtail design was also highlighted as of a Prussian cavalry design.  The infantry used a larger square Battle Flag and the artillery generally used a smaller square flag.  

It was another interesting educational presentation by Col. Altieri and a wonderful time of fellowship.  Commander Waldo recited the SCV Closing to wrap up the meeting and Lt. Grooms sent everyone off with a Benediction and safe passage. 

SCV Camp 1524 Prattville Dragoons Commander's Column for Nov 2021 - Critical Race Theory Slanders the Memory of Even Preeminent Ornithologist

Surfing the web recently and found some more clickbait.  The Audubon Society will change its name because their namesake was, brace yourself, a racist, an enslaver and anti-abolitionist.  I guess that would put him on a par with Ulysses S. Grant.   https://www.washingtonian.com/2021/10/25/audubon-naturalist-society-will-change-its-name-citing-racist-namesake/  Well, winds up it isn’t the Audubon Society but the Audubon Naturalist Society.  Whatever that is.  Well, supposedly it is a “leading environmental organization”.  In Washington DC.  Do they even have any wildlife in Washington DC?   Apparently more of a social justice organization than a conservation group despite that “leading” position.  “As we began to dig into serving all people in the DC region, we also started to get a fair amount of publicity about who Audubon was—an enslaver of Black people, a published white supremacist. He just didn’t seem like a suitable namesake for us.”  Are they “serving” people or environmentalism?  Apparently, the birds and wildlife in that wild untamed frontier called Washington DC need a more diverse representation in those who support the environmentalism efforts there.   “In the past decade, the nonprofit has updated its strategic plan to include a focus on inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility for the first time in over a century.  The group also created two annual conferences to highlight environmentalists of color, Taking Nature Black and Naturally Latinos.”   What this amounts to is virtue signaling without regards to the fact that, yes, wait for it, John James Audubon was a “person of color”.  

Audubon was one of history’s great naturalist and ornithologists, cataloging tens of thousands of species of fowl and producing beautiful paintings showing the birds’ amazing plumage for millions of naturalists and bird watchers who might otherwise never see these  creatures.   He also was the son of a Haitian Creole.  That would make Audubon as black as the 44th President of the United States.  But apparently, because he owned a number of slaves 200 years ago, he is now condemned as an obvious racist.  Not one of the foremost scientists/naturalists of his era.   Simply a “confused despicable racist birder”.  (https://www.audubon.org/magazine/spring-2021/what-do-we-do-about-john-james-audubon)   I thought that was impossible but it opens up the entire plausibility of all the black plantation slave owners and black Confederate soldiers being actual racists against…themselves.    Apparently, the actual Audubon Society felt they needed to provide a soapbox for this “Black American ornithologist” to write a 4641-word diatribe on his feelings about the cruel racist ornithologist dead for 160 years.  I wonder if the “Black American ornithologist” cashed his check from the Audubon (The Racist) Society for this post (and his other contributions to the Audubon (The Racist) Society)?   He and the Society apparently believe his woke Critical Race Theory (CRT) opinion piece “belongs” on the Audubon Society website.   Yes, “The litany of North American bird noticers/naturalists/conservationists have all belonged to the same storied club—Wilson, Bartram, Grinnell, Roosevelt, Pinchot, Thoreau, Muir, Darling, Leopold, Peterson, etcetera ad infinitum. It is a pantheon that speaks to the white patriarchy that drives nature study in the Western world.  In my life as a conservation professional, I’ve been steeped in this white history, told from a white perspective. And I’ve seen firsthand how the organizations that grew from this foundation are likewise predominantly white, with a homogenized point of view. I was a board member of many, including the National Audubon Society (but) resigned in 2020 because the essential work of diversity and inclusion remained siloed from priorities like climate change, habitat conservation, and community science...of connecting conservation and culture. Yes, environmentalism and conservation are inarguably worthy causes. But without consideration for human injustices, they are wildly unbalanced.”  I guess all these white men are condemned for their white supremacy despite studying and not simply eating the birds.  Of course, we already know Teddy Roosevelt was a flaming racist particularly against the American indigenous Indians and not deserving of credit for being “one of the most powerful voices in the history of American conservation…(using) his (Presidential) authority to establish 150 national forests, 51 federal bird reserves, four national game preserves, five national parks and 18 national monuments on over 230 million acres of public land.” (https://www.doi.gov/blog/conservation-legacy-theodore-roosevelt)

“Audubon) was really just good at “passing”—being a Black man of passable whiteness such that he was able to travel around 1800s America without pause or fear (with) an aquiline nose and sun-flushed face. Audubon was a master at marketing his own image and by all accounts sought to distance himself from any ideas about his background that would taint his privileged skin.”  As that bile rises in your throat, don’t forget that blacks can’t be called racist for categorizing whites (or apparently mulattos) based on racial features.  Nor apparently for a superficial racial identification of the black Audubon.   So, this “Audubon columnist” promotes George Washington Carver as a more worthy hero, former slave and scientist himself.  But, Carver had an interracial affair and “travelled the south to promote racial harmony” (https://www.history.com/topics/black-history/george-washington-carver) which sounds like the makings of another racist.  This CRT garbage does about as much to promote “racial harmony” as the Marxist BLM militant agenda and affirmative/preferential actions.  If you can stomach reading all 4641 words, this is a great example of how CRT can contaminate and attempts to indoctrinate even in the sciences and mathematics.  Oh yes, “Critical Race Theory in Mathematics Education (Julius Davis, Christopher C. Jett) brings together scholarship that uses critical race theory (CRT) to provide a comprehensive understanding of race, racism, social justice, and experiential knowledge of African Americans’ mathematics education.”  How valuable to the betterment of our nation that these group identity politics and (social) sciences can help identify and slander a 19th-century oppressive ornithologist.

SCV Camp 1524 Prattville Dragoons Chaplain's Column for November 2021 - Let Persecution Deepen Your Conviction and Resistance

         "Blessed are they who are persecuted because of righteousness for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven.  Matthew 5:10 NIV

 

In today's society, we can definitely feel like the persecuted. Our heritage is mocked and derided, our statues defiled and torn down and ancestor's graves desecrated.

 

We can sometimes feel like the first and only ones attacked, but a careful examination of the book of Daniel shows just one example of our biblical ancestors being persecuted.

 

Of course Jesus was mocked, beaten, and ultimately crucified. He was doing it for us and to free of us from the punishment of sin.

 

We are also on a mission to protect our heritage and our Christian way of life. We do this in the remembrance of our ancestors. We also do it to preserve our legacy to our children and grandchildren. It can feel overwhelming at times.

 

Some things to remember: first, let persecution deepen your conviction. Every time our heritage is attacked, the more members the SCV recruits. Second, the more we resist, the more desperate our enemies become. Look at how they are now digging up graves. They know that our Confederate ancestors stood up to tyranny and they want that memory destroyed.

 

The devil works the same way. Every time we get closer to God and His word, the more the evil one will attack us and try to separate us from our Heavenly Father.

 

Be of glad heart. Every time Satan and his earthly minion attack us, it means we are on the right path. Jesus reminded us that we would be persecuted like He was and to be glad for it!  Amen!

 

Remember those on our prayer list.  

Upcoming Events for Confederate Compatriots

Dragoons Thanksgiving Canned Food Drive – October thru November 13th to benefit the Autauga Interfaith Care Center

Dragoons November Camp Meeting – Thursday, Nov 11th, 6:45pm, Prattville Masonic Lodge

Battles for the Armory Reenactment and Living History – Friday thru Sunday, Nov 12-14th, Tallassee AL

Prattville Christmas Parade – Friday, December 3, at 7:00 p.m starting from Court St, downtown Prattville

Battle of Bibb Furnace Reenactment – Friday thru Sunday, December 3rd-5th, Brierfield Iron Works Park AL

Dragoons’ Christmas Social and Salvation Army Bell Ringing – Friday Dec. 10th at Buena Vista, Saturday at Winn Dixie

Prattville Dragoons SCV Camp 1524 Fall Muster

 A good crowd of thirty members, friends and significant others of Sons of Confederate Veterans Camp 1524 enjoyed a sunny beautiful Saturday October 23rd at the camp's annual fall muster on property just off Peninsula Lane and I-65 in Millbrook AL.  Bill, whose property was used for the muster graciously prepared a large pot of camp stew for everyone to enjoy.  That was prepared in a cast iron pot placed directly on a wood fire and close nearby 1st Lt Grooms cooked Conecuh sausage provided by 2nd Lt Karl Wade on a charcoal grill.  So it smelled delicious as everyone arrived for the annual muster.  Most enjoyed shooting a few clay targets in the field before and after dinner was served.  Men brought some of their best shotguns including 12 gauge semi-automatics and pump actions shooting hand thrown clay pigeons.  The camp provided three smoked butts and everyone in attendance brought additional covered dishes including potato salad, cole slaw, Quartermaster Myrick's "world famous" baked beans, corn casserole, beets as well as desserts including cookies, pound cake, cupcakes and a hummingbird cake prepared by Mrs. Myrick.  Additional attendees included Camp 1524 Commander Waldo and his two children (who demonstrated great marksmanship with a bolt action 410 shotgun), Adjutant Sutherland, Color Sgt Dennis, Treasurer Leverette, and compatriots Terry Fitzpatrick, Tyrone Crowley, Larry Spears, Mike Thomas, Thomas Griffith, Jayson Altieri, Dale Boyles, Bill Branch, Alex Hollon, Tyler Suttle (and his father), Edward Norman, Wyatt Willis, and friends and significant others (lady friends).  A couple canopies were set up which provided some shade from the bright sun but it was otherwise a beautiful mild October in central Alabama.  Three tables were set up under the canopies and folks set up chairs all around to sit and fellowship and enjoy the event.  It was another great opportunity for compatriots to gather and enjoy this time of fellowship and a great meal.  

Prattville Dragoons Sons of Confederate Veterans Camp 1524 at the 2021 Autauga County Fair

Members of the Prattville Dragoons SCV Camp 1524 set up and manned a booth at the Autauga County Fair the week of October 11th, setting up the tables and banners on Monday and manning the booth throughout the week as the fair started on Tuesday October 12th and ran thru Saturday October 16th.  2nd Lt Karl Wade served as the coordinator reserving our spot in the hall at the Autauga County Fairgrounds and enlisting members to work the fair on shifts.  Karl subsequently worked every single shift throughout the week, really going above and beyond in taking ownership of this community outreach effort.  Commander Waldo and Quartermaster Myrick assisted Karl in setting up the booth on Monday.  Then Color Sgt Dennis, Adjutant Sutherland, 1st Lt Grooms, Comms Ofc Butler, and compatriots Rob Schwartz, Mike Thomas and Darrell Haywood, along with Commander Waldo and Quartermaster Myrick worked the booth throughout each evening and all day Saturday that the fair was open.  Based on admissions, it was estimated that over ten thousand fair goers passed by the Dragoons booth and many stopped to converse and get a free mini-Battle flag, educational poster, Confederate sticker or SCV coin.  We ran out of posters and coins they were so popular.  The camp had 3x5ft historic flags and license plates and ballcaps, totes and new design coffee mugs emblazoned with the Confederate Battle Flag all for sale and many folks purchased these items from the camp stores.  A dozen prospective member contacts were made.  It was a very successful enjoyable event and opportunity for Camp 1524 to get in front of the public in a positive way to communicate the Cause and advance the Charge.