Prattville Dragoons Sons of Confederate Veterans Camp 1524 Christmas Social

Members of SCV Camp 1524, their significant others and friends gathered on Friday evening December  13th at the historic Buena Vista mansion in Prattville to enjoy their annual Christmas Social.  A huge Battle Flag was hung from the front porch which, with the Christmas greenery, really made the approach to the house beautiful.  The night began with a social hour where a pianist played on the piano in the parlor and everyone enjoyed General Lee eggnog which was prepared by Tyrone and Carol Crowley.  Some muscadine wine was also furbished by Commander Grooms.  At 7pm, Grooms welcomed everyone and recognized the officers present and special guests and recited the SCV Charge before Chaplain Brantley blessed the food.  Everyone then made their way thru the line to get their plates, a catered meal of smoked turkey, dressing, sweet potato casserole, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole with desserts including peach cobbler and banana pudding.  After everyone enjoyed their supper, a program was started which included the singing of a number of old and seasonal songs by Commander Grooms and his quartet.  Compatriot Rob Schwartz led everyone with his guitar in singing three Christmas carols.  The daughter of the new Buena Vista administrator then provided a short history of the property which of course predates the War for Southern Independence.  A doorprize drawing was then conducted with everyone receiving something including the wonderful table centerpieces which were provided by Bill and Peggy Myrick as well as books, a Confederate folding knife, Confederate dollar bills, candles, Christmas plush ducks, hand towels, a puzzle, and all sorts of seasonal gifts.  It was a horoughly enjoyable Christmas party and time of fellowship with Confederate compatriots at a beautiful venue. 

Prattville Dragoons Sons of Confederate Veterans Camp 1524 Salvation Army Red Kettle Bell RInging

Members of SCV Camp 1524 manned a Salvation Army red kettle in front of the Winn Dixie on Saturday December 14th as part of their annual holiday and community service activities.  The first shift that morning had to improvise a bit as the kettle was late being delivered so Brigade Commander Waldo, Treasurer Leverette and Adjutant Sutherland positioned a little box for donations in front of the tripod holding the Salvation Army signage.  A continuous loop of hand bell ringing was played by smartphone thru a portable bluetooth speaker to provide the requisite bell ringing sound to alert shoppers that Salvation Army donations were being accepted.  The kettle was delivered before the end of this shift and the e-bell ringing and cardboard box were retired. The second shift was comprised of Scott Roberson, Lee James, Todd Rogers and his son.  The third shift saw Chaplain Brantley, Tyrone Crowley, Sam Reed and Rob Schwartz man the kettle and  for the last shift that evening Dale Boyles, Thomas Griffith, Quartermaster Bill Myrick and 2nd Lt  Karl Wade, who coordinated the camp's effort, closed the donations receipts.  A lot of money was received to support the good work the Salvation Army does and it was another example of the positive work the Dragoons do for their neighbors and community.  

Dragoons of Sons of Confederate Veterans Camp 1524 in the Prattville Christmas Parade

Members of the Prattville Dragoons braves temperatures in the 30s on Friday night to man the SCV Camp 1524 float for the Prattville city Christmas parade.  Members gathered on Friday morning in similarly chilly temperatures to decorate the float which consisted of a tree with lights and tinsel garland wrapped around it.  A garland of greenery and lights with big red bows was attached to the outside frame of the trailer.  And at the front was a display of historic flags including the Bonnie Blue, the Dragoons regimental flag, the Alabama Secession flag and the Alabama state flag.  The theme of the parade was Stars on Prattville so the stars on the flags as well as a string of star lights for the tree helped keep the float in concert with the motif.  Candy was tossed to the children spectating all along the parade route which started on Court Street and then circled about on numerous streets downtown before returning to Main Street and back to Court Street to finish. Members helping with the decorating included Quartermaster Bill Myrick, Comms Officer Doug Butler, Adjutant Wayne Sutherland, Color Sgt John Dennis, Brigade Commander Waldo, and compatriot Rob Schwartz.  For the parade, the camp's Christmas banner was affixed to the flagpoles for everyone to see the season's greeting.  Members participating in the parade Friday night  included Commander Grooms, Comms Ofc Butler, Quartermaster Myrick and compatriot Schwartz.  

Sons of Confederate Veterans Camp 1524 Chaplain’s Column for December 2024- Gift of the Season for Everyone

December. It's here once more. The days are shorter. The nights are colder. I get a year older, LOL!

This time of year, at times, can seem dreary, cold, and heartless. We are consumed by buying presents and getting the "perfect gift."

It can be overwhelming. Statistics show this time of year is when folks are depressed the most.

But I have some good news. I already have received the perfect gift. And so have you. In the darkness, out in the cold, a light appears in the sky. It is the brightest star in the sky. It announces hope to all.

But the hope of the chorus of Angels announcing the birth of Christ came to shepherds first. Why is that significant? Shepherds were considered the lowliest of the low. You were considered "garbage" in society to be a shepherd. God tells them first that He has sent His Son to claim us and redeem us. Those who are considered last in our society are first to God and His Son, Jesus Christ.

Our Savior comes in the most vulnerable form. A baby. Defenseless. In a manger. In a barn. That child born that night would change the world! He changes it still today for those who see the Star and walk to its light. Will you look up in the sky for the light this Christmas? Will you look in the Manger for God's perfect gift? Will you receive it? You cannot buy it. For you see Jesus has already purchased us with His blood on the cross.

I will close with this. One Christmas season when I was working retail I was visited by a woman who was pushing her husband, who was in a wheelchair. He was dying of cancer. He looked at me and told me it was his last Christmas. She said they were blessed because they knew it was and could celebrate it and appreciate it for everything it is. She said it was God's final gift to him. Needless to say, I went from attitude to gratitude from that day on.

What if this is your last Christmas? Or mine? Let's celebrate every Christmas as if it is so!

The Birth of Jesus   Luke 2

1In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2(This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3And everyone went to their own town to register.

4So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in clothes and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

8And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in clothes and lying in a manger.”

13Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

14“Glory to God in the highest heaven,

and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

15When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

16So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told to them about this child, 18and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19But Mary treasured all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

 

- Christ the newborn King is born on Christmas day! Hallelujah! Praise God!

Upcoming Events for Confederate Compatriots

Prattville Christmas Parade – Friday December 6^th starting on Court St, downtown Prattville

 

Christmas Social – by reservation, Friday Dec 13^th starting at 6pm at Buena Vista, 641 County Rd 4 E, Prattville

 

Salvation Army Bell Ringing – Saturday December 14^th at the Winn Dixie on Main St in Prattville 8am-6pm

 

Vida Christmas Parade – Saturday Dec 21^st starting at the Community Center – lineup starting at 11am

 

Robert E Lee Day – Saturday January 18th at the Archives in Montgomery

 

Division EC (including Camp Commanders and Adjutants) - Saturday February 8^th at the Southern Cultural Center.

 

Millbrook Revelers Mardi Gras Parade and Festival – Saturday February 15^th, Main Street and Village Green, 9am-noon

Prattville Dragoons SCV Camp 1524 Meeting for November 2024 - Causes of Secession

Members and friends of the Dragoons of Sons of Confederate Veterans Campo 1524 met at the Masonic Lodge in Prattville on Thursday evening November 14th.  Over two dozen people were in attendance.  Compatriot Rob Schwartz played his guitar and sang for everyone in the social hour before the camp meeting including leading everyone in Dixie.  Commander Grooms welcomed everyone and then Chaplain Brantley led everyone in an Invocation followed by Color Sgt Dennis leading everyone in the pledges and salutes to the flags.  Harold discussed all the upcoming events including the canned food drive, parades, Salvation Army bell ringing and Christmas Social and then introduced our guest speaker, our camp's own compatriot Davis.  He presented an in depth discussion of the causes of the Secession of the Southern States.  Events leading to secession highlighted included the Missouri Compromise, the Tariff of Abominations as well as the later Morrill Tariff, the Nullification Crisis, the Compromise of 1850, the Kansas-Nebraska Act which led to Bleeding Kansas essentially the first shots of Lincoln's War, the Dred-Scott SCOTUS decision, John Brown's terrorist raid at Harper's Ferry VA, as well as publications such as Uncle Tom's Cabin which stoked emancipation embers for some but at the same time caused the South to ratchet down on their defense of slavery in part to prevent slave uprisings and uncompensated loss or confiscation of property.  Direct causes of secession some cited by the documents created by the states in their exodus from the Union included abolitionists calling for immediate uncompensated emancipation without any consideration as to the welfare and issue of the freedmen, the abolitionists promoting domestic terrorism including slave revolts and harboring criminals implicit in these activities, the North seeking to restrict property rights in the commonly held territories in the west, the northern states ignoring the Fugitive Slave Clause in the US Constitution and, the tariffs and inequitable distribution of monies for federal expenditures.  On the question as to whether secession was constitutional, the argument rested on the 10th Amendment which states, "The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, not prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people."  William Rawle in his "A View of the Constitution" (a part of the curriculum at West Point Military Academy) argued that the states had a legal right to secede from the US and it was a "fundamental right of a people to choose their own form of government".  The states went about secession the right way calling conventions and drafting articles of secession.  It is argued that the issue of slavery was the sole issue driving the Southern state's secession but VA, TN, AR, and KY all initially declined secession but after Lincoln called up troops to invade the Southern states and by necessity these border states, they too left the Union. The SCOTUS case Texas vs. White in 1869 became the precedent on the question of secession's constitutional standing when Chief Justice Chase used the preamble to explain the "more perfect union" described there inferred an "indestructible Union composed of indestructible states" but in Jacobson vs. Massachusetts in 1905, the very first sentence overruled Texas vs. White in saying the US doesn't derive any of it's powers from the preamble unless such powers are expressly delegated in the instrument of the Constitution proper.  A very informative discussion of this topic critical to the actions of our forebears and their states in 1860.  

Prattville Dragoons Sons of Confederate Veterans Camp 1524 Make Donation to Autauga Interfaith Care Center Food Pantry

Members of the Prattville Dragoons SCV Camp 1524 have worked thru this month of November gathering donations of canned and non-perishable food items as well as monetary donations to make their annual gift to the Autauga Interfaith Care Center which runs a food pantry and clothing shop for needy families in the Autauga county (AL) area.  This year, about 250 pounds of food were gathered and hundreds of dollars in cash raised by members and friends of the camp.  The Dragoons matched these monetary gifts rounding up the total to $1000 and presented the food and a check for that total to the AICC Executive Director Denise Brown on Thursday morning November 21st.  This is another example of the community outreach and service work performed by SCV Camp 1524.

Sons of Confederate Veterans Camp 1524 Chaplain's Column for November 2024 - Spirit of Confidence in These Tumultuous Election Times

2 Timothy 1:7

"For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of loveof love and of a sound mind." (NKJV)

 

By the time you read this column, we will either be getting ready to vote or have voted already. Every two or four years we hear that this is the most important election cycle ever. Unfortunately, I believe that is true this time. We are all concerned and anxious about the future of this country.  And it is stressing out a lot of people.

But God does not call us to be stressed out, anxious, or fearful people. He wants us to remember that He knows what the future holds, and He is in control.

In this world full of uncertainty and doubt, where fear and anxiety can easily take hold, it is essential to anchor ourselves in the unchanging truth of God's word. The Bible is there to help you walk through challenging times with the confidence that only our Lord can give. Scripture will show you how to overcome these overwhelming times and emotions, finding peace in God's word.

I often think about our Southern Ancestors. They came home to houses destroyed and communities ruined. They were occupied by a foreign government, many of whom forbid them from even voting. What was their answer to all of that? God. Many returned home having found or reaffirmed their faith in the Great Awakening in the Confederate Armies. Hundreds of thousands of men found God, and were baptized. They went home, built or rebuilt the Churches, and spread their faith in their communities. Some became Pastors, some became laymen leaders in the church. All helped rebuild Southern civilization centered on the word and power of Jesus Christ. We are their ancestors. We have the same blood, the same scripture, and the same God, who is everlasting. Can we do any less than them?

Finally, as we see in the above reading from 2 Timothy, God has not given us a spirit of fear but a spirit of power, love, and a sound mind. Let us remember that as we go to the polls this month, and let us always stand firm in our faith, knowing that God is in control, no matter what happens in the world around us.

 

Deo Vindice!

Upcoming Events for Confederate Compatriots

Dragoons’ Camp Meeting – Thursday November 14^th, 6pm social hour, 6:45pm camp meeting, Prattville Masonic Lodge

 

Prattville Christmas Parade – Friday December 6^th starting on Court St, downtown Prattville

 

Christmas Social – by reservation, Friday Dec 13^th starting at 6pm at Buena Vista, 641 County Rd 4 E, Prattville

 

Salvation Army Bell Ringing – Saturday December 14^th at the Winn Dixie on Main St in Prattville 8am-6pm

 

Vida Christmas Parade – Saturday Dec 21^st starting at the Community Center – lineup starting at 11am

Prattville Dragoons Sons of Confederate Veterans Camp 1524 Fall Muster

Members and friends of the Prattville Dragoons SCV Camp 1524 enjoyed a warm fall day at their fall muster on Saturday October 26th.  Compatriot Philip Edwards and his wife Terri hosted the muster at their beautiful home in Poseys Crossroads.  A couple of canopies were set up just outside their back patio under which tables were assembled to serve the picnic lunch which included smoked pork butts, camp stew, Conecuh sausage, jambalaya, fried chicken, corn casserole, potato salad, baked beans, chips with 5-layer dip, drinks and desserts including pecan pie, hummingbird cake, cheesecake and cookies - an amazing and delicious picnic spread.  Earl Edmundson even brought and expertly grilled some bacon wrapped duck and dove breasts.  Philip also showed off his new Vizsla puppies who were super cute but will grow to be terrific bird dogs.  Attendees included camp Commander Harold Grooms who brought his wife who tried her marksmanship shooting clays for her first time ever.  Also present were 2nd Lt Karl Wade, Treasurer Billy Leverette, Adjutant Wayne Sutherland, Brigade Commander Waldo, Color Sgt John Dennis and his wife, and compatriots Bill Hamner, Tyrone Crowley, Bill Branch and his girlfriend, Todd Rogers and his son, Dale Boyles and, Darrell Haywood.  Todd and Philip set up a couple of electric clay throwers to send targets out over the back acreage of their homesite so everyone who wanted to practice their shooting had ample opportunity and challenge.  Philip and Todd were members of the camp's clay shooting team which participated in the Division clay skeet and trap competition last year so they along with Earl showed everyone how it was supposed to be done.  But it was a thoroughly enjoyable event with many thanks to all who attended and our wonderful hosts for a successful fall muster.  

Prattville Dragoons Sons of Confederate Veterans Camp 1524 Meeting for October 2024

Members and friends of SCV Camp 1524 met on Thursday evening October  10th at the Prattville Masonic Lodge for their regularly scheduled monthly meeting.  Despite a few members absent to man the camp's booth at the Autauga County Fair, there were over thirty present at the camp meeting.  Rob Schwartz sang a song in honor of his brother who recently passed away.   Camp Chaplain Brantley gave a  presentation of his trip to the SCV National Chaplains' Conference which was held at the SCV HQ at Elm Springs in Columbia TN.  While there, Chaplain Brantley stopped by the SCV Museum.  Commander Grooms presented him with a check to help cover his travel expenses to the convention.  Scott Roberson was presented the 16 gauge single shot shotgun he won as part of the charity auction by Comms Officer Doug Butler.   Paul Brueske was the guest speaker who presented on "The Last Siege: The Mobile Campaign, Alabama 1865".  He was  very well educated and very thorough on the subject, speaking on the importance of Mobile to the Confederacy for trade as a major port for food and ammunition. 

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

The 2024 Autauga County Fair was a great success for the community and for the Prattville Dragoons. The fair ran Tuesday thru Saturday October 8-12th.  Thousands of fair attendees passed by the SCV Camp 1524 booth, and Dragoons were able to talk with a number of people who stopped by, a number who are potential new members for the  camp.   SCV and Confederate heritage literature was distributed and, as always, the mini-Battle Flags, coins, stickers, and posters were a big hit with the youngsters, along with the free candy. A good many flags, caps, car tags, and other merchandise were sold from the camp stores which gets Confederate memorabilia out in the public and also raises funds for the camp.  Most importantly though, the positive image that all of the Dragoons presented was the one thing that made this event such a success, changing incorrect negative opinion in the woke public.   A number of  Dragoons took time out of their schedules to work the booth, some worked multiple days and multiple shifts and their hard work made the camp's participation in this year’s fair the best one yet:

Chaplain David Brantley, Comms Officer Doug Butler, Tyrone Crowley, Color Sgt John Dennis, Thomas Griffith, Commander Harold Grooms, Lee James, Stuart Knight, Treasurer Billy Leverett, Quartermaster Bill Myrick, Scott Roberson, Todd Rogers and his grandson Carson, Rob Schwartz, Larry Spears, Adjutant Wayne Sutherland, Mike Thomas, Louis Turner, 1st Lt Karl Wade and Brigade Commander Waldo and his daughter.

Sons of Confederate Veterans Camp 1524 Chaplain's Column for October 2024 - Identifying as Sons and Daughters of God

 

"And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” (NKJV)

Matthew 3:17

 

   It seems like everywhere we go nowadays, everything we do and buy, someone is asking for our identification. They are trying to identify who we are or who we say we are. Scammers are always trying to steal our identity. But, who are we? Who are you?

   Recently we saw that famous actor James Earl Jones died. Jones was known for many famous roles, but was prominently known as the voice of Darth Vader from the "Stars Wars" franchise. He was also the voice of Mufasa, in the animated Disney movie, "The Lion King." In the movie, Mufasa, the King, has been betrayed and killed by his brother, Scar. Mufasa's son, Simba, has run away and become a coward, hiding away in the backlands. Mufasa visits Simba in a dream and yells at him, "You have forgotten me!" Simba denies this, of course, to which Mufasa says, "You have forgotten who you are, so you have forgotten me." Mufasa reminds Simba, "You are my Son!"

   In Matthew 3, God declares to all assembled that Jesus is His Son, in whom He is well pleased. In some translations God speaks directly to Jesus saying, "You are my Son, in whom I am well pleased." Jesus is the Son of God. And the Son of Man.

   We are also the children of God. We are His Sons. But when the world overwhelms us, our problems crash down on us, or if people ask if we are followers of God, His children, do we go silent when it is inconvenient? Do we, like Peter, deny it? Do we forget to go to God when we feel like we can handle it better ourselves? How often we have felt alone, abandoned, but God was there waiting for us to seek him out in prayer. How He waits for us to worship Him and praise Him for all our many blessings He has given us. And yet, like a petulant child, we go and complain of the things we don't have or didn't get and ask for more. We sometimes forget He is our Father, but we certainly treat God like a parent when we want or need something, don't we?

   But here is the good news! 1 John 4:4 reminds us that, "But you belong to God, my dear children. You have already won a victory over those people, because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world." God, our Father, has conquered the world for us. We need to remember our identification next time someone asks us for it, or the world throws troubles our way. We are the Sons and Daughters of God! Let us never forget who we are and let us declare it to the world!

Amen!

 

One thing to remember though: "You can speak of God and not mention the Sons of Confederate Veterans, but you cannot speak of the Sons of Confederate Veterans and not mention God!"

Upcoming Events for Confederate Compatriots

 Don't forget to vote on November 5th!

Upcoming Events for Confederate Compatriots

 

Autauga County Fair – Dragoons booth, Autauga County Fairground, Tuesday- Saturday, Oct  8-12^th

 

Dragoons’ Camp Meeting – Thursday October 10^th, 6pm social hour, 6:45pm camp meeting, Prattville Masonic Lodge

 

Dragoons Fall Muster – Oct 26^th 10am-til at Philip Edward’s home, 2104 CR 59, Prattville, Posey’s Crossroads

 

Battle for the Armory – Nov 9-10, Tallassee, AL

 

Prattville Christmas Parade – Friday December 6^th starting on Court St, downtown Prattville

 

Christmas Social – by reservation, Friday Dec 13^th starting at 6pm at Buena Vista, 641 County Rd 4 E, Prattville

Battle Flags Set on Confederate Veterans Graves at Historic Cemetery

Following a tour on Saturday September 28th of the 1848 Rockford Jailhouse Museum, Dragoon Tyrone Crowley and his wife Carol replaced 8 weather-worn Confederate flags on graves at Sears Chapel Methodist Church, just north of of Rockford in Coosa County on Highway 231.  Flags used were provided by SCV Camp 1524 Adjutant Wayne Sutherland.