Seven compatriots from SCV Camp 1524 made the drive up from Prattville to Oxford the morning of Saturday January 23rd to attend the Alabama Division SCV Robert E. Lee birthday celebration. Camp Commander Waldo, Adjutant Sutherland, Quartermaster Myrick, Larry Spears as well as the Chaplain carpooled up that morning for the special event; Brigade Commander Stover was also in attendance driving separately as did compatriot Dave Thompson. The men manned a table outside the conference room to provide information and take registrations for the Division Reunion which the Dragoons are hosting in June. At 9am Division Commander Mike McMurry opened the program and introduced past Division Commander Gary Carlyle who gave a personal memorial for Division Chaplain and SCV Chaplain-in-Chief Charles Baker recounting stories of his strength and intelligence likening him to similar qualities of Robert E. Lee. String music was played in the intermission. At 10am the Lee Birthday program began with Commander McMurry introducing the Division Chaplain who provided an Invocation followed by greetings from representatives of a number of heritage organizations in attendance including the Order of the Stars and Bars, the Mechanized Cavalry, the Order of Confederate Rose and the SCV Army of Tennessee. SCV Commander-in-Chief Larry McCluney Jr then provided a brilliant tribute to Lee acting as Confederate General P.G.T. Beauregard and citing the professional military background and experiences the two men shared and the history of his service under Lee culminating with the defense of Petersburg at the end of the War. It was a wonderful day spending time with compatriots from Camp 1524 and across the Division and paying tribute with a memorial for one of our nation's most beloved and honorable leaders Robert E. Lee who President Eisenhower called, "One of the supremely gifted men produced by our nation, selfless, noble, unsullied."
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