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.
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