Alabama Division Sons of Confederate Veterans 2023 Reunion

The 2023 edition of the Alabama Division SCV Reunion was held at the Alabama Veterans Museum in Athens AL.  SCV CiC Jason Boshers was in attendance.  The Reunion began with an Invocation followed by the pledges and salutes to the flags.   Lt John Land then recited the SCV Charge.  Special Awards were presented including Charles Kilpatrick of the host Hobbs camp, recipient of the Jefferson  Davis lifetime achievement award.  Awards were made to Alabama Division and AOT Chief of Heritage Defense Cherokee Brasher who announced his retirement.  The Treasurer's report was then discussed. Committee Report for Heritage Defense was presented by Cherokee Brasher who implored everyone to get engaged in contacting their state representatives for heritage defense legislation.  AL Confederate magazine editor Jimmy Hill provided a report on the publication and explanation as to the expansion of the size of the periodical.  A presentation by Tallassee Armory Guards Commander Randall Hughey of slave artifacts (chain and badge (to allow team driver to be off plantation)) were made to the National SCV Museum representatives.  Carl Jones proposed a motion for the AL Div to make an additional donation toward principal on National Museum loan and it passed.   The2024 Reunion hosted by the Foley camp was announced by Cmdr Tommy Rhodes.  Brigade workshops were encouraged by Cmdr McMurry and an AOT workshop was announced by Jimmy Hill.  Carl also announced the restarting of the education workshops in  Feb/Mar 2024.  The Yellow hammer Jammer fall muster/music festival for Sept announced by Jimmy Hill including details for the celebration.  Commander Stuart Waldo, Brigade Commander Harold Grooms and compatriot Tyrone Crowley were in attendance representing the Prattville Dragoons and Commander Waldo received a special check from the Division to help with the camp's local radio and billboard advertising campaigns.   The night prior to the Reunion a Commander's reception was held and the evening following the Reunion an award's banquet was held honoring the recipients of Division awards and scholarships.

 

Historic Sites at a Wedding Occassion

Enjoyed a wedding recently at a historic venue in Florence Alabama.  Pickett Place, as the historic marker indicated, was built in 1833 by Thomas Crowe.  "It later became the home of Richard Pickett who arrived in 1843 to become one of the town's leading attorneys.  Pickett was Colonel of the 10th Alabama Infantry under General Philip Roddey, called the "Defender of North Alabama" during the Civil War." The interior of the house had many period furnishings.  Some rooms had beautiful stained glass.  Across the street is Pope's Tavern, the Lambeth Home, another antebellum house.  This building was used by both the Confederate and Union troops as a hospital at different times during the WBTS.  

Sons of Confederate Veterans Camp 1524 Dragoons Meeting for June 2023

Members, friends and compatriots of SCV Camp 1524 met on Thursday evening June 8th at the Prattville Masonic Lodge for their monthly meeting.  Approximately 18 folks were in attendance.  1st Lt Tyler Suttle stood in for Commander Waldo in his absence.  Rob Schwartz again entertained everyone with some guitar playing and singing before the meeting time.  The meeting began with an Invocation, the pledges and salutes to the flags and, the reading of the SCV Charge.  Upcoming events and announcements were presented.  Dana Casey Jones was the guest speaker.   Dana is a warrior for the Cause and can be found at many Confederate heritage and memorial events.  Dana spoke on the spiritual revival in the Confederate forces during the War for Southern Independence.  It was another enjoyable evening of fellowship and education for all those present.  

Prattville Dragoons SCV Camp 1524 Chaplain's Column for June 2023 - The Storms of Life

 Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will hold on to you with my righteous right hand.”    -Isaiah 41:10

 

All the way back in 1999, in another life, I was working on a Gubernatorial campaign in Mississippi. Yes, they have odd- year elections, which is kind of appropriate for our neighbors to the West, bud I kid. We were stationed in Flowood, a suburb of Jackson. However, my job was driving all over the state delivering signs and campaign materials. I can honestly say I drove every inch of that state in six months.

One Friday, they sent me down to deliver materials to a town near Biloxi. Of course I was 26 and was going to spend the weekend in Biloxi. But that’s a story for some other day. As I approached the area, the heavens darkened and opened with rain, lightning, wind, and light hail. I had forgotten about the pop-up storms in the gulf area. This was bad. I didn’t have the internet to help. I had a first-generation flip phone the campaign had given me to use. Of course, I had no bars (coverage). I was on my own. Or was I?

As I sat in my brand new car in the parking lot, I prayed to God for protection. Soon, the storm passed and I was greeted in Biloxi with warm sunshine.

I had nobody and nothing to rely on but God. Today I could check the internet on my phone, call somebody if the car was damaged. But back then? Nope. I was reminded to count on God.

How many times have you been in a storm in your life? It can be a literal storm or something in your life bearing down on you. If you have not had a storm in your life, you will. It will either hit you or a loved one or friend! Who will you count on when you have no where else to go?

Our passage above from Isaiah provides us hope and encouragement to weather the storms of life. God speaks to us in this verse in a tender way to let them know that He is there and we need not fear. What a comfort in knowing that the God of the universe is with us in our trials.

Let us remember always that He saw our Southern ancestors through the trials and subjugation of the War and “Reconstruction.” Today, the midst of our storm, either our personal one(s) or the attack on our heritage, He provides us with the comforting presence that we need to still our hearts and minds. What an incredible promise that is for you and me.

Amen.

Prattville Dragoons SCV Camp 1524 Maintenance of Historic Robinson Springs Cemetery in Millbrook

 Members of the Prattville Dragoons again held a workday to cut and clean the historic Robinson Springs Cemetery in Millbrook Al.  The cemetery is the final resting place of many of the area's founding families and includes Confederate veterans and US veterans of other of our nation's wars.  Dragoons' Comms Officer Doug Butler, Quartermaster Bill Myrick and compatriot Thomas Griffith worked on this important community service project on Friday June 2nd.  This is part of the camp's participation in the Sons of Confederate Veterans Guardian Program to care for cemeteries which contain graves of Confederate veterans.  

Upcoming Events for Confederate Compatriots from the Prattville (AL) Dragoons Camp Dispatch Newsletter

 

Upcoming Events for Confederate Compatriots

 

Dragoons May Camp Meeting – June 8^th  6pm, Masonic Lodge, Prattville AL  

 

Alabama Division Reunion – June 9-11^th, Athens AL

 

160^th Battle of Gettysburg Reenactment – June 23-25, PCWA

 

160^th Battle of Gettysburg Reenactment – June 30-July 1^st, Historic Daniel Lady Farm

 

Ole Bedford’s 24^th Annual Birthday Celebration - July 29^th, 3pm with catfish supper at 6pm at Fort Dixie, Selma AL