Prattville Dragoons Sons of Confederate Veterans Camp 1524 Compete in Alabama Division SCV Clays Skeet and Trap Tournament

Members and friends of SCV Camp 1524 formed a team to compete in the first annual Alabama Division Sons of Confederate Veterans clays tournament at Barrett Field in Cullman AL on Saturday morning January 13th.  It was a cold morning but everyone had fun at the range.  There were about twenty five shooters and entry fees paid helped sponsor a youth team at the state championships.  The Dragoons went by the camp name for their team name as that was appropriate.  Member Philip Edwards was the team captain and recruited for the team which consisted also of member Todd Rogers and friends/compatriots Buddy Hoff, Lee James and  Scott Thibodeaux.  The Dragoons came in second place among the four teams which also consisted of a number of professional shooters to round out each team to six members.  Thibodeaux also won a trophy for his great shooting.  

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

Friends and members of the SCV Camp 1524 Dragoons met on Thursday evening January 11th for their regularly scheduled camp meeting.  It was a light turnout as a number of folks were dealing with the flu in their households and others were traveling or otherwise had conflicts. But, it was a great meeting as the Dragoons welcomed and swore in a new member Chad Vaith.  Brigade Commander Harold Grooms stood in for camp Commander Waldo in his absence and worked with Chaplain Brantley to perform the swearing in.  Prior to the meeting, Rob again entertained everyone there with some music on his guitar.  Harold also recited the SCV Charge and provided updates on upcoming events and news.  Color Sgt Dennis led everyone in the pledges and salutes to the US, Alabama state and Confederate Battle flags.   Division Lt Commander John Land was the guest speaker and he presented on various Confederate flags and the history and meaning behind them.  

Sons of Confederate Veterans Camp 1524 Prattville Dragoons Commander's Column for January 2024 - Opportunities for Students of Southern History

I have painstakingly worked to get my son and daughter enrolled in the Children of the Confederacy which, as a part of the United Daughters of the Confederacy has a very high bar for providing proof of eligibility.  But, hallelujah, we were finally able to assemble all of the requisite paperwork and they will be members shortly.  They have attended a number of events and all have been educational and worthwhile to help instill in them an appreciation of their heritage, period history, and the honor due to the heroes who fought for Southern independence.  As the CofC creed states, they “desire to perpetuate, in love and honor, the heroic deeds of those who enlisted in the Confederate Army, and upheld its flag through four years of War, to preserve pure ideals, to honor our veterans, to study and teach the truths of history and to always act in a manner that will reflect honor upon our noble and patriotic ancestors.”  What an admirable recitation.  With obvious parallels to the SCV Charge - “perpetuate”…“ideals”...”truth in history”.  It also states that the War was not a rebellion and the underlying cause was not the sustenance of slavery – real truths that enrage the politically correct mainstream, indoctrinated by state educational systems which perpetuate simpleton explanations to the real impetus behind the Southern states’ secession and the onslaught of Lincoln’s War and, who have attacked Southern history and heritage over the past few years, even now reflected in the despicable razing of monuments at Arlington for the Reconciliation of the states following the War and to the Women of the Confederate home-front in Jacksonville FL. 

Upon completion of the application process for the Children of the Confederacy, my daughter was invited subsequently to provide the welcome greetings and remarks at the upcoming SCV AL Division Robert E. Lee Birthday Celebration.  This represents another opportunity for her to make a public presentation in front of a large group, a skill many of us shudder at the thought of performing.  But it is something that we should be comfortable in doing especially as pertains to presenting and defending our Southern history and heritage.  And easier still to introduce a man so universally recognized by U.S. Presidents and esteemed historians throughout the world for his leadership, courage, and duty and as a Christian man of integrity, humility, and faith.  As we continue through these dark days of continuing attacks on our Southern heritage and Christian values, it is reaffirming to be able to pay homage to one of history’s great figures, Robert E. Lee, as representative of the Confederate Cause.  As President Eisenhower said, “General Robert E. Lee was one of the supremely gifted men produced by our Nation. He believed unswervingly in the Constitutional validity of his cause which until 1865 was still an arguable question in America; he was a poised and inspiring leader, true to the high trust reposed in him by millions of his fellow citizens; he was thoughtful yet demanding of his officers and men, ingenious, unrelenting and personally courageous in battle. Through all his many trials, he remained selfless almost to a fault and unfailing in his faith in God. Taken altogether, he was noble as a leader and as a man.  A nation of men of Lee’s calibre would be unconquerable in spirit and soul.  Indeed, to the degree that present-day American youth will strive to emulate his rare qualities, including his devotion to this land as revealed in his painstaking efforts to help heal the Nation’s wounds once the bitter struggle was over, we, in our own time of danger in a divided world, will be strengthened and our love of freedom sustained.” 

One of many Confederate men worthy of the Children of the Confederacy and the Sons of Confederate veterans today to pay respect, honor and admiration of their devotion to duty and their faith.  As we enter January, a time where we specifically celebrate the birthdays of Robert E. Lee and Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson, make it a priority to study the history of these great men and share with friends and family and neighbors.  Take advantage of the resources which abound for becoming a student of Southern and Confederate history including the SCV quarterly publications, websites like the Abbeville Institute and, events including our own camp meetings and the upcoming Division Education Conference and annual Reunion. 

Sons of Confederate Veterans Camp 1524 Prattville Dragoons Chaplain's Column for January 2024 - Praise God Continuously as Your New Year's Resolution

 

"I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall ever be in my mouth."

Psalm 34:1

 

   Happy New Year! I hope you had a wonderful holiday season and are ready to face 2024.

Many people make resolutions at the beginning of the year. A new slate, a new commitment, lose fifty pounds. A recent poll said that 79% of resolutions are jettisoned by the end of January. Most blame unrealistic goals, etc.

Do you keep your resolutions? What resolutions do we make each year in regard to our worship and relationship with God?

In the above Psalm, David is saying he praises God no matter what. Do we do that?

At the start of the year we may pray for new beginnings and new opportunities and the strength to fulfill our goals. But Psalm 34 begins with praise for God. No requests and no demands. Just praise. Even in times of doubt, fear, anger, and loss. All the time. We don't only praise God when things go our way or when we get what we want. We praise because God's being draws praise from us.

   Let's try something new this new year! Let us praise God for all that we encounter. Let's praise Him for the breath we draw each morning which means we live another day. Let's praise Him as we look in the mirror and head to the job we may struggle to love. Let's praise God when darkness enters our life and blocks the horizon until the light breaks through the night!  As the Psalm says, let us magnify the Lord continually in our mouths and see what happens in 2024.

   In the month of January start your prayer time by praising God. How does this shape the rest of your conversation with Him? Let me know next time you see me or shoot me an email.

   God Bless!

Upcoming Events for Confederate Compatriots

Dragoons Camp Meeting – Thursday Jan 11^th at 6:45 pm at the Prattville Masonic Lodge  

 

AL Division Skeet and Trap Tournament – Dragoons’ team, Saturday Jan 13, 8:30am, Barrett Field, Cullman AL  

 

AL Division Robert E. Lee Birthday Celebration – Saturday Jan 20^th at 9am at the AL State Archives 

 

Winter Quarters Reenactment – Saturday Jan 27^th, 8am at Confederate Memorial Park, Marbury AL  

 

Millbrook Mardi Gras Festival and Parade – Saturday Jan 27^th, 8am festival and noon parade, Main St, Millbrook AL  

 

Tannehill Reenactment – March1-3 at the Tannehill Ironworks Historical State Park, McCalla AL

 

AL Division Education Conference – Saturday Mar 16^th, 9:30-3:30pm, Southern Cultural Center, Wetumpka AL 

 

AL Division Confederate Memorial Day – Saturday Apr 20^th, 9am Alabama State Capitol grounds

 

AL Division Reunion – Friday May 31^st (Commander’s reception, Gift Horse) and Saturday June 1^st (Graham Creek, Foley)