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PoP's Southern American: May 2013

5/26/2013

MEMORIAL DAY (2013) AT GREEN HILL (Elizabethton,TN) & MISUSE OF THE U.S. FLAG


 
Another Memorial Day has arrived and the Watauga Historical Association has used the occasion to misuse the U.S. Flag to make their political point:  “No flag should fly higher than the U.S. Flag.”  Although the U.S. Flag code states this, there must be some common sense and dignity used here.  The childish and crass placing of U.S. flags in the manner depicted in the accompanying photos is a demonstration of the lack of decorum used by this organization.  They have used a sacred holiday to make a burial ground a tacky show of their hatred for the Confederate flag.  This is a common thing for them to do.  Knowing we have an event scheduled there next Saturday (Confederate Decoration Day in Tennessee), they have “set the table” for us.  Never mind the Betsy Ross flag is flying through Memorial Day on the S.C.V. flag pole, they must make sure the small stick flags on the Confederate graves are “countered” by their little game of one-ups-man ship.  This organization had an offer, in 2009 from the V.F.W., to set a high end flag pole for them.  The offer was declined.

Some will say the South did not want to give up the Stars and Stripes and were so reluctant to give it up, that the First National was designed in similar appearance.  Confusion on the field of battle led to more recognizable flags.  Therefore, it is appropriate to place either or both flags on a Confederate grave.  Others say it is inappropriate due to the soldier (being honored as a Confederate soldier), should only have the flag he fought under on the grave. 

In any event the use of the U.S. flag to politicize a burial ground is tacky, crass and subject to scrutiny.  Patriotism has room for both the Union and Confederate dead, as was observed in a ceremony at East Hill Cemetery in Bristol, VA.  The Confederate soldiers had their flag and veterans of other wars had a U.S. flag.  Note both are American flags.  A Confederate flag is, as H.K. Edgerton stated, “as American as hot dogs, apple pie and Chevrolet.”  The Sons of Confederate Veterans leave stick flags on the Confederate veterans year round and maintain them.  W.H.A. only places flags on Memorial Day and what a spectacle they have again made.
Observe these photos and draw your own conclusions. You may contact the officers of W.H.A. at these addresses: 

 
Cheryl Smith, President
Watauga Historical Association
P.O. Box 1776
Elizabethton, TN 37644-1776

 
Dawn Peters, President
Green Hill Cemetery Preservation Committee
168 Laurel Ridge Road
Jonesborough, TN 37659

 








5/23/2013

Va Flaggers Update: Robert E. Lee Memorial Bridge Signs

Va Flaggers Update:  Robert E. Lee Memorial Bridge Signs
It is often misunderstood that all we do as Flaggers is stand out in public “waving” a Confederate Battle Flag.  Although there are many times that we do forward the colors (whether it be in protest of a heritage violation, or in honor of our ancestors at a Memorial Service or event), a large part of the work we do is behind the scenes.  The story of the Robert E. Lee Memorial Bridge signs here in Richmond is one example of such work.
Several months ago, Va Flagger Grayson Jennings noticed that the signs designating the memorial were missing from the bridge.  He recalled that during construction 5-6 years ago, the signs had disappeared, and then re appeared after some inquiry, only to (apparently) disappear again.
His first request to VDOT was answered with the information that “The Lee Bridge across the James River in Richmond, while constructed by VDOT in the late 1980’s, was turned over to the City of Richmond for operation and maintenance upon completion. Any signing for that bridge is the responsibility of the City to keep up. VDOT would have no involvement in the replacement of signs designating  the Lee Bridge.”  It was suggested we contact the City Public Works Department.
The Richmond Public Works Department responded that they did not realize the signs were missing and would check into it.  After many follow up communications, we received word on March 26th that new signs had been fabricated, and that we should look for them to be installed in approx. 2 weeks.  
This was followed with a few more follow up emails and periodic drive-by sign checks.  Finally, on Tuesday, May 21st, we were THRILLED to drive up to the bridge and find that the SIGNS HAD BEEN INSTALLED!!!   Four signs now mark the bridge and are a visible reminder each day, to thousands of motorists, of the man for whom the bridge is named.
 
We share this story to encourage everyone to keep your eyes and ears open for these kinds of “quiet” heritage violations, which happen every day across the United States.  Take time to find the appropriate people to contact and “keep the skeer on” (in this case, weekly, polite email inquiries) until they follow through, and the honor due our Confederate heroes is restored! 
In this case, victory was won without a single flag being waved, and we never even got to try out our new slogan… “RETURN the signs!  RESTORE the honor!”  J
Special thanks to Grayson for his diligence, and to the folks at the Richmond Public Works for stepping up and making this right.
 
Susan Hathaway
Va Flaggers
*Check out our new blog and follow us here:  http://vaflaggers.blogspot.com/

UPCOMING EVENTS:
 
Friday, May 24th:  6:30 p.m. - Evensong & Blessing of the Flags.  This year the service will be at the Anglican Catholic Church of St. Andrew & St. Margaret of Scotland, 402 E. Monroe Avenue, Alexandria, VA,m 22301. The rector, Rev. LTC John Lewis Roddy USAR (Ret) is a member of the SCV and strongly encourages us to display our Confederate flags, uniforms, and regalia. Of course we will have our usual Southron BBQ feed after the service in the undercroft. The cost of the BBQ will be $25.00. However, one does not need to attend the supper. If you plan to attend, please contact Richard Abell directly:  richard_bender_abell@yahoo.com
 
Saturday, May 25th: 11:00 a.m. – Confederate Memorial Day Service, Greenlawn Memorial Park, 1700 Parrish Ave., Newport News, VA, Sponsored by the Magruder-Ewell Camp #99, SCV
 
Saturday, May 27th:  10:00 a.m.  The Lee-Jackson Camp #1 will hold their Annual Memorial Day Service at the Confederate War Memorial Chapel at 2900 Grove Avenue @ Boulevard in Richmond. This year's speaker is Col. Eric Buckland,USA (ret) author of Mosby's Keydet Rangers and other books on Col John S. Mosby and the men who served with him.  For more information, contact the Lee-Jackson Camp #1, SCV, Friends of the Confederate war Memorial Chapel, PO Box 71256, Richmond, VA 23255-1256.
 
Monday, May 27th 2:00 p.m.  Thirty-Third Annual Huguenot Springs Cemetery Memorial Day Service, Co-sponsored by the J. E. B. Stuart Camp #1343 of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, Huguenot Springs Cemetery Foundation and Knibb’s Battery. Includes bagpipe music by Virginia Scots Guards and address by Ronnie S. Roach, who will speak about the Confederate Memorial Day for each of the Southern states. There will be a Presentation of Wreaths, followed by an artillery salute and refreshments. Huguenot Springs Road south of Robious Road and west of State Route 288 in Powhatan County. Free. 804-356-8868 or 804-740-1405.
 
Monday, May 27th:  3:00 p.m. The Dearing - Beauregard Camp # 1813 will be presenting the 15th Annual Memorial Day Service at historic Blandford Cemetery on Memorial Hill in Petersburg, VA. Special guest speaker is award winning writer and historian Michael C. Hardy. Music will be provided by noted Southern singer, songwriter and actor Stan Clardy. The service is dedicated to Sgt. Daniel A. McIntosh, CO I, 26th NC Regiment and Pvt William A. Vickers, CO H, 49th NC Regiment.
 
Sunday, June 2nd:  11:00 a.m. – Memorial Service in honor of Confederate President Jefferson Davis and the Confederate Soldiers & Sailors buried in Arlington National Cemetery.  The Confederate Memorial, Jackson Circle, Arlington National Cemetery*.  Sponsored by the District of Columbia Div. of UDC.

Saturday, June 8th:  9:00 a.m. Annual birthday ceremony for Jefferson F. Davis, at Hollywood Cemetery, Richmond, Virginia.  Keynote speaker will be Mr. Bert Hayes-Davis, great great grandson of Jeff Davis.
 
Saturday, June 22nd:    Two Confederate grave marker ceremonies. 3495 Davis Mill Road, Thurston Family Cemetery, Goochland, VA. Contact is James Waldrop, cell 804-513-9747. Honor Guard will be provided by Mr Frank Yates, and the William Latane SCV camp. Many relatives expected, should be a nice turnout. Plenty of parking.

Monday, June 24th:  6:30 p.m. - Susan and Barry will be traveling to Va Beach to speak to the Princess Anne Camp #484, Sons of Confederate Veterans, Gus and George's Spaghetti and Steakhouse, 4312 Virginia Beach, VA

Saturday, June 29th:  10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. 22nd Annual Point Lookout Pilgrimage, Confederate Memorial Park, Point Lookout, MD.

Saturday, August 17th:  Susan will travel to Tampa, FL to speak to the August meeting of the Gen. Jubal A. Early SCV Camp #556, Sons of Confederate Veterans.

5/21/2013

Are You Poor in Spirit or Overflowing with Pride? by Eileen Parker Zoellner

Are you poor in spirit or over flowing with pride?

After a whirlwind trip up to Tennessee and back....I spent A LOT of hours and miles in my car. Seldom do I get to sit that still at any given time, so I always use those opportunities to think about things that are near and dear to my heart. Thoughts of my absolutely two favorite men of all time, Robert E. Lee and "Stonewall" Jackson, continually came to mind. Both men were stalwarths of their Christian faith and defenders of their land, country, fellow man and the Constitution. The caliber of these men has not been seen since they took their last breaths.

In 1853, Robert E. Lee joined the Episcopal Church and remained there the rest of his life. He lived his entire life as a humble and devoted Christian and stated: "My chief concern is to try to be an humble, earnest Christian." This motive was at the bottom of all that Lee did in his life. In response to a pastor he once talked to, General Lee said "..I can only say that I am a poor sinner, trusting in Christ alone for salvation and that I need all the prayers you can offer for me." With Lee, this was genuine, heartfelt concern, and not political verbiage.

"Stonewall" Jackson was from what is now West Virginia. He was not born into wealth by any stretch of the imagination and his early years were extremely difficult. He first served in the Mexican War and was later sent home and stationed at Fort Hamilton, about 7 miles from New York City. Author Mary Williamson wrote of him: "While there, he was baptized and began to live his life for the glory of Christ. God had changed the heart of this brave soldier and gave him wisdom to see that life should be lived for the glory of God--not for the glory of self."

The Beatitudes come to mind when I think of these men and how we must follow their example. The Beatitudes come from the opening verses of the famous "Sermon on the Mount" delivered by Jesus and recorded in Matthew 5:2-12. Here Jesus states several blessings, each beginning with the phrase, "Blessed are ..." Each saying speaks of a blessing or "divine favor" bestowed upon a person resulting from the possession of a certain character quality.

Jesus said:
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you."

The first Beatitude, "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven," is one in particular that I feel we all need to improve on. While we all should be proud of our Southron Heritage and Culture, it is also pride that causes us to fail. Pride, when extreme, causes us to become egotistical, unforgiving, arrogant, feeling of superiority, destructive, antagonistic, scornful and sometimes, downright dangerous to our cause. To be "poor in spirit" means to look at another's excellencies and at your own infirmities. The more grace we have, the more humble we are, because we now see ourselves as a greater debtor to God. If we can do any duty, we acknowledge that it is Christ's strength more than our own. In all things that Lee and Jackson did, they gave God all the glory and remained humble.

How often do we see the words, "Deo Vindice?" It translates to simply "God will vindicate." I understand that not all Southroners are Christian and perhaps will find fault with what I am saying, but I ask each of you to read my words, step back and think about them before making a comment. How are each of us failing the Southron cause? How many times are we not following Lee and Jackson's example by living for the glory of God? Maybe it's at differing degrees, but we all fail and fall short. Because of that, we are disorganized, argumentative, and without common ground. We don't need to worry about the obvious 'enemy.' We are our own worst enemy and will self destruct if we don't stop immediately and pull together as one people. Like Lee and Jackson, we need to be humble. That doesn't mean we shouldn't protect what is rightfully ours, our Southron Heritage and Culture. We do need to remember that while ours is the most important to us, there are others who have heritage and culture equally important to them. If we want others to respect ours, we should show respect for theirs too. It's taken 150 years to get where we are today, and positive change will not happen overnight. BUT, we must not ever give up or give in. We can't change the past, but together, we can be more than we ever dreamed of or thought possible. United together, along with God's help, we can do and accomplish anything. When our emotions get the better of us, we must not cave in to those emotions. If you feel like throwing the towel in, DON'T!! If you feel like you are going to lose your temper, DON'T!! If you feel you aren't making a difference and want to stop, DON'T!! If you get invited to an argument and really want to fall into their trap, DON'T!! Whatever it is that causes your emotions to get the upper hand, outlast your emotions and do not cave into them. Like Lee and Jackson, in the face of adversity, overcome, perservere and speak the truth. We have more impact united together, then alone and scattered in different directions. We all have different abilities and need each of your talents. The greatest asset each of us can give, is our time.

Almighty God, You have given us such rich grounds for our Southern heritage. We humbly ask You that we may always prove ourselves a people mindful of Your favor and glad to do Your will. Bless our magnificent southern land with honorable ministry, sound learning, and pure manners.

Save us from violence, discord, and confusion, from pride and arrogance, and from every evil way. Defend our liberties, and configure into one united people the assemblage brought here out of many lineages and languages. Endow with Your spirit of wisdom those to whom in Your Name we entrust the authority of government, that there may be justice and peace at home, and that through obedience to Your law, we may show forth Your praise among the nations of the earth. In time of prosperity fill our hearts with thankfulness, and in the day of trouble, our trust in You will not fail.

Our Confederate ancestors leave us a strong and great heritage. They had an abundance of things that really count in life, things such as character, integrity, honesty, honor, courage, and a great love for God, family, and country. Their memory is cherished and is a blessing to us. May we, with your help, teach our children and those who follow to draw inspiration from their lives, and keep the sacred memory of our Southern ancestors who faithfully fought for a just cause. General Robert E. Lee said, "Let prayer be our passion, let prayer be our practice."

Lord, we give you praise for allowing us to have such a rich Southern heritage! Thank you for those that have gone before us that have preserved the truth for us! Encourage us as we face the lies and mistruths set forth by the father of lies and those afraid of the truth! Enable us to stand firm in you. May our actions give glory to you and honour to our our Southern ancestors. It's in the holy name of Jesus Christ that we pray these things ~ Amen ~

One lesson we can take from the dead, is if we don't come together and become united as one , we too will soon die.

Deo Vindice ~ Eileen Parker Zoellner ~
Are you poor in spirit or over flowing with pride?
 
After a whirlwind trip up to Tennessee and back....I spent A LOT of hours and miles in my car.  Seldom do I get to sit that still at any given time, so I always use those opportunities to think about things that are near and dear to my heart.  Thoughts of my absolutely two favorite men of all time, Robert E. Lee and "Stonewall" Jackson, continually came to mind.  Both men were stalwarths of their Christian faith and defenders of their land, country, fellow man and the Constitution.  The caliber of these men has not been seen since they took their last breaths.
 
In 1853, Robert E. Lee joined the Episcopal Church and remained there the rest of his life. He lived his entire life as a humble and devoted Christian and stated: "My chief concern is to try to be an humble, earnest Christian." This motive was at the bottom of all that Lee did in his life. In response to a pastor he once talked to, General Lee said "..I can only say that I am a poor sinner, trusting in Christ alone for salvation and that I need all the prayers you can offer for me." With Lee, this was genuine, heartfelt concern, and not political verbiage.
 
"Stonewall" Jackson was from what is now West Virginia. He was not born into wealth by any stretch of the imagination and his early years were extremely difficult. He first served in the Mexican War and was later sent home and stationed at Fort Hamilton, about 7 miles from New York City.  Author Mary Williamson wrote of him: "While there, he was baptized and began to live his life for the glory of Christ. God had changed the heart of this brave soldier and gave him wisdom to see that life should be lived for the glory of God--not for the glory of self."
 
The Beatitudes come to mind when I think of these men and how we must follow their example. The Beatitudes come from the opening verses of the famous "Sermon on the Mount" delivered by Jesus and recorded in Matthew 5:2-12.  Here Jesus states several blessings, each beginning with the phrase, "Blessed are ..."  Each saying speaks of a blessing or "divine favor" bestowed upon a person resulting from the possession of a certain character quality.
 
Jesus said:
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you."
 
The first Beatitude, "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven," is one in particular that I feel we all need to improve on.  While we all should be proud of our Southron Heritage and Culture, it is also pride that causes us to fail.  Pride, when extreme, causes us to become egotistical, unforgiving, arrogant, feeling of superiority, destructive, antagonistic, scornful and sometimes, downright dangerous to our cause.  To be "poor in spirit" means to look at another's excellencies and at your own infirmities. The more grace we have, the more humble we are, because we now see ourselves as a greater debtor to God. If we can do any duty, we acknowledge that it is Christ's strength more than our own.  In all things that Lee and Jackson did, they gave God all the glory and remained humble.
 
How often do we see the words, "Deo Vindice?"  It translates to simply "God will vindicate."  I understand that not all Southroners are Christian and perhaps will find fault with what I am saying, but I ask each of you to read my words, step back and think about them before making a comment.  How are each of us failing the Southron cause?   How many times are we not following Lee and Jackson's example by living for the glory of God?  Maybe it's at differing degrees, but we all fail and fall short. Because of that, we are disorganized, argumentative, and without common ground. We don't need to worry about the obvious 'enemy.'  We are our own worst enemy and will self destruct if we don't stop immediately and pull together as one people.  Like Lee and Jackson, we need to be humble.  That doesn't mean we shouldn't protect what is rightfully ours, our Southron Heritage and Culture. We do need to remember that while ours is the most important to us, there are others who have heritage and culture equally important to them.  If we want others to respect ours, we should show respect for theirs too.  It's taken 150 years to get where we are today, and positive change will not happen overnight.  BUT, we must not ever give up or give in.  We can't change the past, but together, we can be more than we ever dreamed of or thought possible.  United together, along with God's help, we can do and accomplish anything.  When our emotions get the better of us, we must not cave in to those emotions.  If you feel like throwing the towel in, DON'T!!  If you feel like you are going to lose your temper, DON'T!!  If you feel you aren't making a difference and want to stop, DON'T!!  If you get invited to an argument and really want to fall into their trap, DON'T!!  Whatever it is that causes your emotions to get the upper hand, outlast your emotions and do not cave into them.  Like Lee and Jackson, in the face of adversity, overcome, perservere and speak the truth.  We have more impact united together, then alone and scattered in different directions.  We all have different abilities and need each of your talents. The greatest asset each of us can give, is our time.
 
Almighty God, You have given us such rich grounds for our Southern heritage.  We humbly ask You that we may always prove ourselves a people mindful of Your favor and glad to do Your will.  Bless our magnificent southern land with honorable ministry, sound learning, and pure manners.
 
Save us from violence, discord, and confusion, from pride and arrogance, and from every evil way. Defend our liberties, and configure into one united people the assemblage brought here out of many lineages and languages. Endow with Your spirit of wisdom those to whom in Your Name we entrust the authority of government, that there may be justice and peace at home, and that through obedience to Your law, we may show forth Your praise among the nations of the earth. In time of prosperity fill our hearts with thankfulness, and in the day of trouble, our trust in You will not fail. 
 
Our Confederate ancestors leave us a strong and great heritage. They had an abundance of things that really count in life, things such as character, integrity, honesty, honor, courage, and a great love for God, family, and country. Their memory is cherished and is a blessing to us. May we, with your help, teach our children and those who follow to draw inspiration from their lives, and keep the sacred memory of our Southern ancestors who faithfully fought for a just cause. General Robert E. Lee said, "Let prayer be our passion, let prayer be our practice." 
 
Lord, we give you praise for allowing us to have such a rich Southern heritage! Thank you for those that have gone before us that have preserved the truth for us! Encourage us as we face the lies and mistruths set forth by the father of lies and those afraid of the truth! Enable us to stand firm in you. May our actions give glory to you and honour to our our Southern ancestors. It's in the holy name of Jesus Christ that we pray these things ~ Amen ~
 
One lesson we can take from the dead, is if we don't come together and become united as one , we too will soon die. 
 
Deo Vindice ~ Eileen Parker Zoellner ~


 
     

5/16/2013

Va Flaggers Update 5-16-2013-Stonewall Jackson Vigil

On Thursday, May 9th, 7 Va Flaggers attended the Candlelight Vigil held at the Stonewall Jackson Shrine, at Guinea Station, in Spotsylvania County, VA to commemorate the Sesquicentennial of Gen. Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson’s last night on earth.

The event was sponsored by the National Park Service, and for a Thursday evening, I thought the crowd of about 100 or so was respectable. I had the genuine pleasure of meeting Jim Harley, a Va Flagger supporter from South Carolina, who traveled with his parents from South Carolina to attend the Sesquicentennial events.




A Confederate color guard presented the colors before the outdoor service started. I honestly did not know what to expect. I had in mind that participants would have candles or possibly light candles to mark the night.  

Instead, Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania Park Historian Frank O’Reilly gave a very moving lecture, which chronicled the events leading up to and the details of Gen. Jackson’s last hours. The crowd was very attentive and Mr. O’Reilly gave an excellent presentation. He did a terrific job of describing that fateful night, and describing the character and faith of Jackson, and I found myself with goose bumps on several occasions, even though the night air was warm.



After the lecture, we filed through the Shrine, which the NPS had lit with candles. It was near dusk and the glow from the candles gave the cottage an appearance which would have been close to what it was like that fateful night in 1863. We walked through in reverent silence, each pausing at the room where Jackson died, to remember and honor one who sacrificed all in service to his God and his Country.

Kudos to the National Park Service for a wonderful and fitting tribute to Stonewall Jackson! If you have never visited the Stonewall Jackson Shrine, I highly recommend making the trip. The staff there is excellent, and each time I go, I am still moved when I step into the room and hear the account of his last hours.

Now, if we could just get them to fly a 2nd National on that big ole' pole out front... ;)


More info on the Shrine here:  http://www.nps.gov/frsp/js.htm

Details of the event and more photos here:  http://news.fredericksburg.com/newsdesk/2013/05/10/jacksons-last-night-remembered/



Susan Hathaway
Va Flaggers



UPCOMING EVENTS: 

Friday, May 24th:  6:30 p.m. - Evensong & Blessing of the Flags.  This year the service will be at the Anglican Catholic Church of St. Andrew & St. Margaret of Scotland, 402 E. Monroe Avenue, Alexandria, VA,m 22301. The rector, Rev. LTC John Lewis Roddy USAR (Ret) is a member of the SCV and strongly encourages us to display our Confederate flags, uniforms, and regalia. Of course we will have our usual Southron BBQ feed after the service in the undercroft. The cost of the BBQ will be $25.00. However, one does not need to attend the supper. If you plan to attend, please contact Richard Abell directly:  richard_bender_abell@yahoo.com

 
Saturday, May 25th: 11:00 a.m. – Confederate Memorial Day Service, Greenlawn Memorial Park, 1700 Parrish Ave., Newport News, VA, Sponsored by the Magruder-Ewell Camp #99, SCV

Monday, May 27th:  3:00 p.m. The Dearing - Beauregard Camp # 1813 will be presenting the 15th Annual Memorial Day Service at historic Blandford Cemetery on Memorial Hill in Petersburg, VA. Special guest speaker is award winning writer and historian Michael C. Hardy. Music will be provided by noted Southern singer, songwriter and actor Stan Clardy. The service is dedicated to Sgt. Daniel A. McIntosh, CO I, 26th NC Regiment and Pvt William A. Vickers, CO H, 49th NC Regiment.

Sunday, June 2nd:  11:00 a.m. – Memorial Service in honor  of Confederate President Jefferson Davis and the Confederate Soldiers & Sailors buried in Arlington National Cemetery.  The Confederate Memorial, Jackson Circle, Arlington National Cemetery*.  Sponsored by the District of Columbia Div. of UDC.

Saturday, June 8th:  Annual birthday ceremony for Jefferson F. Davis, at Hollywood Cemetery, Richmond, Virginia.  Keynote speaker will be Mr. Bert Hayes-Davis, great great grandson of Jeff Davis.

Monday, June 24th:  6:30 p.m. - Susan and Barry will be traveling to Va Beach to speak to the Princess Anne Camp #484 of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, Gus and George's Spaghetti and Steakhouse, 4312 Virginia Beach, VA

Saturday, June 29th:  10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. 22nd Annual Point Lookout Pilgrimage, Confederate Memorial Park, Point Lookout, MD.

Saturday, August 17th:  Susan will travel to Tampa, FL to speak to the August meeting of the Gen. Jubal A. Early SCV Camp #556.

5/14/2013

Va Flaggers Update 5-14-2013: Retraction/Jeff Davis Monument Incident

“Vulneratus Non Victus”

On Thursday, May 9th, I was on my way back from the Stonewall Jackson Shrine at Guinea Station when I received a message from Va Flagger and friend, TriPp Lewis.  He stated that Rob Walker, the VCU student who had been following the Va Flaggers for the past 6 months and filming our efforts for a documentary, had just called him to report that he had thwarted an attempted vandalism at the Jefferson Davis Statue on Monument Ave., on his way home from his final exam at VCU.

Shortly thereafter, I was phoned into a three way call, and Rob repeated the description of his story.  As you can imagine, we were taken in by his dramatic and breathless account of the events.   He even sent us these photos of the taser/club that was used at the scene. 



At the end of the phone call, I asked Rob for permission to post the account, and he gave me permission to do so.

My intention in sharing the post was twofold:  1) I wanted Rob to get recognition for his efforts…and 2) I hoped it would serve as a deterrent for others who might attempt the same.  As you might know, our monuments have been the subject of several attacks over the past months.

Our first indications that there may be a problem came in the form of an email from Navy Personnel who had seen the report and questioned Mr. Walker’s claim of Military Service on the USS Cole.  At this point, we had no reason to doubt Mr. Walker, and simply asked him to provide the necessary proof to the gentlemen who had made the request.  When Mr. Walker was not forthcoming with documents that could prove his service, we felt that while we considered it a private matter, it did create some doubt in our minds as to whether he was being truthful.

At this point, we decided we needed to further investigate the claims he had made regarding the incident at the monument, but it was Saturday…I was out of town for my son’s college graduation from Liberty University, and our Flaggers were all very busy, attending no less than three Confederate events in the Richmond area that day. 

Sunday was Mother’s Day, so Sunday evening was the first chance we had to meet and we began researching his claims.  We could find no mention of the event on the Richmond Police Department’s incident report and contacted Mr. Walker to question this.  He insisted that he WAS telling the truth and promised to produce the police report on the next day, Monday, May 13th

At noon Monday, we contacted Mr. Walker again, and he told us that they would not give him the report over the phone and that he would not be able to pick it up in person as he was out of town for the summer.

Assuming by now that we had been royally duped, we decided to make absolutely sure of the facts before we made any further statements.  At 8:45 a.m. this morning, Tuesday, May 14th, I went to Richmond Police Headquarters at 200 N. Grace Street and inquired as to whether there were any incidents reported at the monument location, during the time frame Mr. Walker had told us it happened.  RPD officials searched and found no record of any report filed. 

As I put pen to hand, we still have no idea why Mr. Walker went to such lengths to create such an elaborate story, or what his intentions were.  He will still not admit that the account was false and we are left with the task of cleaning up the mess he has created with his fabrication and (apparent) outright lies.
 
I cannot properly express my sincere apologies for having released this story without first getting police corroboration.  I honestly can say that I never imagined anyone would go to all the trouble of fabricating such a tale, and am sad to have learned another hard lesson in having to question everyone’s motives, and trusting no one.

We are officially retracting our statements in the release of May 10th, and respectfully request that if you forwarded that email, that you do the same with this one so that we might reach everyone who received the false report.

I hope and pray that you will not consider this misplaced trust a reflection on any of the men and women who make up the Va Flaggers.  Although the Anti-Confederate Bloggers (affectionately referred to as “Floggers”) are attempting to suggest otherwise, Mr. Walker was not a Va Flagger.  He had chosen us as the subject of his documentary work and we had allowed him the freedom to travel with us and film our activities.  Up until the evening of May 10th, we never had any reason to believe that he was anything other than honest with us, and are still shocked at this turn of events.

As of today, we are severing all ties with Mr. Walker, as we have no desire to be even associated with anyone who does not know the value of honesty and truth, something that we work hard every day to promote, in our defense of the Confederate Soldier.

This revelation, and the personal attacks which have ensued, were a punch in the gut to me, and it is obvious that our enemies intend to attempt to use the incident to continue their quest to silence us and squelch the Flagging movement...  a movement that, despite their best efforts, has taken a foothold among Southerners who are fed up with the constant attacks on our heritage,  and is growing in numbers and support every day.  Please know, that while we take away a valuable lesson in this, it will in no way deter us from continuing the work that we have begun… protecting the honor of the Confederate Soldier and the flags under which he fought and died…and defending the heritage.

Finally, I can't end this narrative without thanking the Anti-Confederate “Floggers” referred to earlier. Although their motive in covering this incident on their blogs was obviously to cast negative attention on the Virginia Flaggers, which is their habit and history, their posting about it has nevertheless helped to bring awareness of the incident to a wider audience, which will now also be aware of this clarification.



Susan Hathaway
Va Flaggers

5/10/2013

Va Flaggers: Citizens Arrest of Vandals in RVA by Susan Hathaway

VA FLAGGER DOCUMENTARY PRODUCER MAKES CITIZENS ARREST OF VANDALS ATTEMPTING TO DEFACE THE JEFFERSON DAVIS MONUMENT ON MONUMENT AVE. IN RICHMOND.



On Thursday evening, May 9th, VCU Film student Rob Walker left class after turning in his short film, “Va Flaggers at Oakwood” for his final exam.  

At approximately 9:00 p.m, he drove past the Jefferson Davis Monument on Monument Avenue and observed two young white males at the monument.   Suspicious, he circled the monument to try and find out what they were up to.  On first glance, it appeared they were doing something to the iron fencing. 

When Rob pulled up in front of them, he saw that they had a screwdriver, and were attempting to scrape or carve something into the stone of the monument.  He immediately called 911 and dropped the phone in the car seat so that emergency personnel would be alerted and be able to record the confrontation.
From the car, Rob yelled at the men to stop what they were doing and drop the screwdriver.  They refused, and began swearing and shouting at him. 

I should mention that Rob is a US Veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom.  He was injured in, but survived the attack on the USS Cole. 

Rob also used to drive a Taxi, and carries with him at all times, from his days as a driver, a cattle prod/club, with a taser on one end.

Armed with the club, he approached the men and again, told them to drop the screwdriver.  The man with the screwdriver refused, and waved it at him in a threatening manner.  When the man came closer, Rob punched the club into his chest and tasered him, at which time the man was rendered helpless and Rob was able to subdue him.  At this point, the other vandal ran off, skeered. 

As the subdued vandal came to, Rob (who, by the way, is 6’ plus a bunch)  was able to keep him on the ground by resting his knee on his back, and applying his body weight with his knee.  Meanwhile, the vandal who ran away had returned, and taken position across the street.  After a few minutes, the punk must have decided the police weren’t coming, most likely because they had not seen Rob call them.   He then picked up a stick and came back over to the monument, apparently to attempt to free his partner in crime. BIG mistake.

When the man swung the stick at Rob, Rob blocked it with the club, broke the stick in two, and tagged the vandal with the taser.  Down went the second vandal... lying helpless on the ground beside his friend. 

Until the police arrived, Rob held the screwdriver wielding vandal down,  and, as necessary, reached over to give the other punk a gentle tag of voltage each time he recovered enough and attempted to escape. 

When the police arrived, they handcuffed the vandals and proceeded to give Rob a lecture about how risky it is to make a citizen’s arrest, especially over an offense so “trivial” as misdemeanor vandalism.  Rob told them that he does not consider vandalism of a Confederate monument “trivial”.   He said that if he attempted to spray paint graffiti on the White House, snipers would take him out with one bullet to the head, so what he did was quite gentle in comparison.

On Veterans’ Day, 2012, Rob happened upon the Va Flaggers as we were out bringing awareness to the vandalism to the RE Lee Monument the night before.  He stopped to interview us, was intrigued by what we were all about, and has been following us ever since, documenting our efforts, and along the way, gaining a whole new respect for the Confederate Veterans we honor.



https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151315522159274.526020.698334273&type=3

We do not believe there are ANY coincidences or happenstance in what has transpired since we began our work 20 months ago.  There is no denying God’s hand in this… in bringing Rob to Monument Ave. last November, and then, miraculously again last night at the exact moment and time to prevent what could have been irreparable damage to one of our most treasured monuments AND facilitating the first arrest (that we are aware of) of these punk vandals that have no regard for the rule of law:  neither God’s nor man’s.

We encourage each of you to send a note of thanks to Rob Walker, for his bravery and courage in protecting the Jefferson Davis Monument, a NATIONAL treasure, and his help in apprehending the worthless individuals who sought to desecrate it.
 
Email:  Rob P. Walker, Jr.:  walkerrp@vcu.edu



Susan Hathaway
Va Flaggers

5/09/2013

Va Flaggers Update 5-9-2013-Chancellorsville by Susan Hathaway

The Sesquicentennial of the Battle of Chancellorsville brought huge crowds (and the “Custermobile”!) to Spotsylvania, VA.  The Va Flaggers had representation on Saturday and Sunday…forwarding the colors, educating attendees, and having a REALLY good time!  

On Saturday, May 4th, Va  Flagger  John Grigsby  attended with his wife, daughters, and parents.  He filed the following report: 

“First let me say that this event was apparently planned by a Yankee transplant.  There were more Yankee re-enactors, Yankee music, Yankee camps, and Yankee propaganda on the “official” agenda.

We flagged the “Custermobile” and handed out stick Confederate Battle Flags.  I asked the Custermobile attendants if Custer was really on the outside of the trailer.  They denied it.  I told them that I thought he was and offered to find it.  Found it.  Pointed it out to them and then one of the attendants pointed out the deserted Richmond picture (see photo) and blamed it on the CSA as an atrocity.  I suggested that he might not want to debate me about atrocities.  I asked him about Sherman’s March to the Sea and the plunder of Stafford County and the Shenandoah.  He asked me if I was born in Virginia.  I said no, South Carolina but that I was a Commonwealth taxpayer and I did not appreciate this portrayal of my history---it is historically inaccurate and politically correct.  He engaged my wife and told her that if I did not leave he was going to have me moved by the Sheriff.  I invited him to do so if he thought I was disturbing anyone other than the fact that he came over and attacked me.





I took the above picture right after this.  During the taking, he threatened to be in the photo.  I invited him to join me.  His bosses came over and corralled him back to the tent.  That was the end there.”

**********

On Sunday, I would attend solo...

I arrived at approx.. 11:30 a.m. and rigged my 2nd National.  I thought it appropriate, since it was just a few days after the Sesquicentennial of its official adoption, and since it was considered Jackson’s flag.  Turned out to be a great choice!  I first toured the vendor area and Sutlers’ tents.  Along the way, I was asked to pose for some photos and received many inquiries about the flag.  My favorite question was “Which state flag is that you are carrying?”.  ;) These kinds of questions gave me a great opportunity to explain the history of our flags, and the honor of the men who fought and died under them.

As I made my way to the afternoon re-enactment (the battle of Salem Church) I ran into friends in the 10th VA and got this nice photo of their flag.




Along the way, I was greeted by many cheers for the flag and greetings from old and new friends.  A group of Yankee re-enactors gave me a bit of a hard time, but when I gave it back to them, they laughed and asked me to pose with them for a photo. 

At the re-enactment, I was joined in the stands by several friends from the Mechanized Cavalry.  We had a BLAST, cheering on our boys and enjoying the battle sights and sounds. At one point, we sang a chorus of the Bonnie Blue Flag as a unit marched by, and the crowd cheered when we were done.  A young black kid was sitting right in front of me and he turned around when we finished, gave me a thumbs up, and said “nice song!”.  I waved the flag and we cheered as our boys filed by.  I love the photo below of one young Confederate, giving the boys a little help from the stands.  ;)





I have the highest respect for the men and women who spend so much time and money preparing for and participating in these re-enactments and living history encampments. It was a great honor to be a spectator at this event and I am personally very thankful for all of the preparation and hard work that made it possible. 




After the re-enactment, I visited the Confederate Cemetery on the recommendation of Tracy Wright and I was not disappointed.  It is one of the most beautiful and well- kept Confederate cemeteries I have ever visited, and as you approach the center and monument, a beautiful Confederate Battle Flag can be seen flying in honor and memory of the dead who rest there.  It is truly a glorious sight.  I learned from Greg Randall that his SCV camp is responsible for getting that flag put up, and also for the upkeep and maintenance of the cemetery.  VERY well done, gentlemen!




After visiting the cemetery, I made my way back over to the Courthouse (thanks , Jimmy Cochrane of Knibb’s  Battery for the lift!) and spent some time flagging the “Custermobile”.  For those of you who are unaware, what we call the Custermobile is the Virginia Sesquicentennial Commission’s “Civil War Historymobile”, which, I  am sorry to say, contains hardly anything Confederate, at all.  

I talked with some of the visitors and was able to share with them some information about our Confederate history in Virginia, and about our flags.  I shared literature and posed for photos.  My time was limited, as the event closed down shortly thereafter, but I was able to spend some time engaging folks as they left.





Overall, it was a BEAUTIFUL day and a great opportunity to forward the colors.  Interaction was 100% positive and there were many opportunities to share truth and tell of the honor and glory of our Confederate ancestors. 





Susan Hathaway
Va Flaggers



UPCOMING EVENTS:


Thursday, May 9th:  7:30 p.m. Last Night: A Candlelight Tour at Jackson Shrine. Join park historians for an hour-long program marking the 150th anniversary of Jackson's last night. At Jackson Shrine, 12019 Stonewall Jackson Road, 22580.

Friday, May 10th:  7:00 p.m.  SPOTLIGHT: This Friday 5/10/13, join camp members as we remember the 149th Anniversary of the Battle of Chester Station @ 7pm at the monument (next to the YMCA on West Hundred Rd.) as we remember the dead of the Bermuda Hundred Campaign. This battle is our camp namesake so please join us as we expect a 30 minute service in remembrance of this occasion. SCV - Chester Station Camp #1503 

Saturday, May 11th:  11:00 a.m. - Annual J.E.B. Stuart Memorial Service at the Yellow Tavern Monument in Glen Allen, VA, sponsored by the Richmond-Stonewall Jackson Chapter #1705, UDC.

Saturday, May 11th: 11:00 a.m. - General J.E.B. Stuart Life Celebration.  The Stuart-Mosby Historical Society will gather at Hollywood Cemetery (directions below) at 11:00 a.m. for a service at the grave of General James Ewell Brown Stuart commemorating the General’s life.

Saturday, May 11th:  4:00 p.m. - Confederate Medal of Honor Memorial Service, Blanford Church on the grounds of Blanford Cemetery in Petersburg.

Monday, May 27th:  3:00 p.m. The Dearing - Beauregard Camp # 1813 will be presenting the 15th Annual Memorial Day Service at historic Blandford Cemetery on Memorial Hill in Petersburg, VA. Special guest speaker is award winning writer and historian Michael C. Hardy. Music will be provided by noted Southern singer, songwriter and actor Stan Clardy. The service is dedicated to Sgt. Daniel A. McIntosh, CO I, 26th NC Regiment and Pvt William A. Vickers, CO H, 49th NC Regiment.

Saturday, June 8th:  Annual birthday ceremony for Jefferson F. Davis, at Hollywood Cemetery, Richmond, Virginia.  Keynote speaker will be Mr. Bert Hayes-Davis, great great grandson of Jeff Davis.

Monday, June 24th:  6:30 p.m. - Susan and Barry will be traveling to Va Beach to speak to the Princess Anne Camp #484 of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, Gus and George's Spaghetti and Steakhouse, 4312 Virginia Beach, VA

Saturday, June 29th:  10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. 22nd Annual Point Lookout Pilgrimage, Confederate Memorial Park, Point Lookout, MD.

Saturday, August 17th:  Susan will travel to Tampa, FL to speak to the August meeting of the Gen. Jubal A. Early SCV Camp #556.
 

5/04/2013

End White Folk Guilt / Marion, Alabama / Speech Delivered by HK Edgerton/April 28, 2013

Under the mellowing influence of time and occasional demonstrations at the North of a desire for the restoration of peace and good will, the
Southern people have forgotten much--- have forgiven much of the
wrongs they and their ancestors bore. If it be less so ( and it is )
among their invader and their siblings , it is but another example of
the rule that the wrong doer is less able to forgive than he who has
suffered causeless wrong.

There was no surrender at Appomattox, and no withdrawal from the
theater of war which committed our people and their children to a
heritage of shame and dishonor. No cowardice on any battlefield could
be as base and shameful as the silent acquiescence in the scheme which
continues relentlessly teaching our children in homes and schools that
the economic institution of slavery was the cause for the War for
Southern Independence, that the prisoners of war held in the South
were starved and treated with a barbarous inhumanity, that the
Honorable President Jefferson Davis and the Honorable General Robert
E. Lee were traitors to their country and false to their oaths , that
the young men who left everything to resist the illegal invasion of
their homeland, and climbed the slopes at Gettysburg and died
willingly on a hundred fields were rebels against a righteous
government.

Monstrous violations by the Union army were not attempted to be
palliated by them, or even covered by pretext. These were open, avowed
and notorious; the general sacking of private houses- the pillaging of
money, plate, jewels and other light articles of value, with the
destruction of books, works of art, paintings, pictures, private
manuscripts and family relics, the hostile acts directly against
property of all kinds, as well as outrages upon non- combatants (Black
 & White) to the laying waste of whole sections of country; the
attempted annihilation of all necessaries of life; to the wanton
killing of farm stock and domestic animals; the burning of mills,
factories, and barns, with their contents of grain and forage, not
sparing orchards or growing crops, or the implements of husbandry; the
mutilation of county and municipal records of great value, the
extraordinary efforts made to stir up servile insurrections, involving
the wide spread slaughter old men, women and children, the impious
profanation of temples of worship, and even the brutish desecration of
the sanctuaries of the dead.

All these enormities of a savage character against the very existence
of civilized society, and so revolting to the natural sentiments of
mankind, in open violation of modern usages of mankind in putting
down the so called rebellion ( Texas v. White ) , The War Between the
States.

The ancestors of those Northern invaders here in the 21st century just
as their kin, come South seeking injury to the peoples of the South
and their own profit, with a motivation to convince all man,
especially our Southern babies that the South was made up of tactless
people given to acting without deliberation or caution, and deluded by
bad men, who attempted in an illegal and wicked manner to overthrow
the Union. And that the Southern soldier however brave, was aroused
by no higher motive than the desire to retain the economic institution
of slavery. And truly believed that once the world was convinced of
this, they would hold the South degraded rather than worthy of honor,
and that our children instead of revering their ancestors, would be
openly ashamed.

They now seek to carry out this facade not by the aid of armed
soldiers, but through the active employ poverty pimps, public schools,
the judiciary, politicians, Southern scalawags and their
organizations. The whole force of journalists, poets, orators, and
writers of all sorts are employed in their unholy cause, especially
Northern history makers whose books are now in the hands of Southern
children.

The history of the human race furnishes no like example of men who by
their own action have so exposed their children; to men who
unconstrained have dishonored the graves and memories of their dead.
Our own people have aided and are still aiding with all the insistence
of damned and daily school-room iteration in the work of teaching
these malignant falsehoods to Southern children, in the work of so
representing a brave people to the world of today and the ages to
come.

The details of horror heaped upon the region of the South and its
civilian non-combatants by Sherman and Grant, and sanctioned by
Lincoln are so depraved and no less in weight than those of the day
that Jesus drug the Cross through the streets of Jerusalem to
Golgotha, and generally one is so apprehensive in accounting them for
fear of inciting sectional hostilities, the likes of not seen in
nearly 150 years.

A Northern soldier writing for the Detroit Frees Press gives the
following graphic account describing the burning of Marietta, Georgia:
"Soldiers rode from house to house, entered without ceremony, and
kindled fires in garrets and closets and stood by to see that they
were not extinguished. Had one been able to climb to such a height at
Atlanta as to enable him to see forty miles around the day Sherman
marched out, he would have appalled at the destruction. Hundreds of
houses had been burned, every rod of fence destroyed , with orders
from Sherman giving them to become vandals. No house escaped fire. And
on to Atlanta where he gave orders to burn it to the ground, driving
out from the city its whole population of all ages, sexes, and
conditions in the fields of a desolated country to starve and die.

On Page 108 Volume I, Colonel G.F.R. Hendersen of the British Staff
College, Camberley, England posted this letter written by the
Honorable General Robert E. Lee: " There are few, I believe, but will
acknowledge that slavery as an institution is a moral and political
evil. It is useless to talk at length on its disadvantages. I think its
a greater evil to the White man than to the Colored race, and while my
feelings are strongly interested in the latter, my sympathies are
deeply engaged for the former. The Blacks are immeasurably better off
here that in Africa-- morally, socially, and physically. The painful
discipline they are undergoing is necessary for their instruction as a
race, and I hope will prepare them for better things.

How long their subjection may be necessary is known and ordered by a
merciful Providence. Their emancipation will sooner result from the
mild and melting influence of Christianity than from the storms and
contest of fiery controversy. This influence, though slow is sure. The
doctrines and miracles of our Savior have required nearly two thousand
years to convert but a small part of the human race, and even among
Christians nations what gross errors still exist.

While we see the course of the final abolition of slavery still is
onward, and we give it the aid of our prayers and all justifiable
means in our power, we must leave the progress as well as the results
in his hands who sees the end and who chooses to work by slow things ,
and with whom a thousand years are but a single day.

The Abolitionist must know this, and must see that he has neither the
right nor the power of operating except by moral means an suasion; if
he means well to the slaves, he must not approve of the mode by which
it pleases Providence to accomplish its purposes, the results will
nevertheless be the same; and the reasons he gives for interference in
what he has no concern holds good for every kind of interference with
our neighbors when we disapprove of their conduct.

We of the South are today all that may be honorably meant by the
expression " loyal American citizens, But, we are also loyal to the
memory of our glorious dead, and we should defend them in our way from
false and foul aspersions of Northern historians and Southern
scalawags as long as brain can think or tongue and pen can do their
office. Mutual respect is needful for the common interest , is
essential to a friendly Union, and when slander is promulgated from
high places, the public welfare demands that truth should strip
falsehood of its power for evil. ( The Honorable President Jefferson
Davis )
_______________________________________________________________
Donations to Mr. Edgerton may be made at: www.southernheritage411.com

5/02/2013

A CHRISTIAN CONFEDERATE PRAYER

Brave Christian Confederate warriors,
should fate find us in battle,
May our cause be just!
May our leaders have clear vision!
May our courage not falter!
May we be triumphant and earn victory,
as we show mercy to our enemies.
May our efforts bring lasting peace!
May those we serve always appreciate our sacrifice.
May we return to our loved ones unharmed!
Should we be harmed, may our wounds heal!
Should we perish in the struggle,
may God embrace us and find for us
a place in His Kingdom.
In Jesus Holy and powerful Name. Amen!”

At a time when people are afraid of their own Heritge, it is time to pray!

Lest we forget!
Zak
Dixie's Living Historians


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