Va Flaggers: Lee Chapel Desecration Update & Call to Action

Washington and Lee University Update:

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In response to the recent removal of Confederate Battle Flags from the Lee Chapel, The Va Flaggers have followed up with a letter to W&L President Kenneth Ruscio and other key W&L personnel.  In our communication, we make the following key points: 

*Experience has proven that compromise with those who make such demands is always fatal.  If these 6 students are “offended” by the presence of 8 historically significant Confederate Battle Flags, displayed for over 83 years in the sepulcher, who is to say they won’t be “offended” when they visit the museum in the basement, where the flags are to be displayed, or even by a portrait of Lee hanging in the Chapel?  What will be their next demand, now that they were able to easily manipulate the administration? 

*Even so, the removal of the flags and desecration of the Chapel was a direct violation of Virginia State Law, which states that it is “unlawful for the authorities of the locality, or any other person or persons, to disturb or interfere with any monuments or memorials so erected, or to prevent its citizens from taking proper measures and exercising proper means for the protection, preservation and care of same…”  We intend to pursue the prosecution of this violation to the fullest extent of the law.  https://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?000+cod+15.2-1812

*Further, from the W&L By-Laws. Section 2 designates the building as the “Lee Memorial Chapel”:  2. “The Lee Memorial Chapel. The chapel on the University grounds, erected during the presidency of General Robert E. Lee and under his direction, shall be known as "The Lee Memorial Chapel." This chapel may be used for the commencement and other University exercises and meetings, but it shall not be used for any meetings or purposes not in keeping with its consecrated character and the memorial and sacred purposes to which it is dedicated.”  We believe that displaying the honored battle flags of the men who fought and died under General Robert E. Lee is certainly “in keeping with its consecrated character and the memorial and sacred purposes to which it is dedicated”.  Removing them to appease a half dozen agitators, on the other hand, is not.  http://www2.wlu.edu/x35926.xml

We let them know, in no uncertain terms, that we expected the reproduction flags, originally donated by the SCV, to be returned to the sepulcher immediately, and that there would most certainly be demonstrations and protests if the flags are not returned.

Hundreds of you have contacted us about your desire to gather and protest at the University.  We are actively planning and coordinating these efforts, and will have all details in place and plans ready in the event that the flags are not returned.

At the same time, we are developing several other points of attack, including organizing alumni and student groups to have the flags returned and having those responsible for removing them removed from office, as well as several additional avenues that are currently in research.

CALL TO ACTION:

1)  We need to make sure the University hears from AS MANY PEOPLE as possible over the next few days and weeks.  PLEASE take the time to contact every person listed below.  Use telephone, email, and mail to convey to them your feelings about the desecration of Robert E. Lee's final resting place.  If you are an alumni or donor, make sure you let them know that your donations will cease until the flags are restored to their rightful place.

Light up the W&L switchboard...call early, and often!

2)  Please forward this email to EVERYONE on your email list, especially to and W&L alumni or students you may know.  It is imperative that we spread the word QUICKLY.

Washington & Lee University Contact Information:

President
Mr. Kenneth Ruscio
Washington and Lee University
204 West Washington Street
Lexington,Virginia 24450
(540) 458-8700
president@wlu.edu

Provost
Daniel Wubah
Washington and Lee University
Washington Hall 214
Lexington,Virginia 24450
(540)458-8418
dwubah@wlu.edu

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Secretary of the University:
James D. Farrar, Jr.
Washington & Lee University
203 Washington Hall
Lexington,VA 24450
(540)458-8465
jdfarrar@wlu.edu

Executive Assistant to the Board of Trustees:
Katherine Brinkley
Washington & Lee University
202 Washington Hall
Lexington,VA 24450
(540)458-8417
kbrinkley@wlu.edu

Thank you, in advance, for your diligence in this matter. 

Please watch for more emails, as we have much more information to share in the coming days.  

Sincerely,

Grayson Jennings

Va Flaggers

P.O. Box 547

Sandston, VA 23150

info@vaflaggers.com

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Remembering Tommy "PoP" Aaron

PoP Aaron departed this earth one year ago today. The work he began is still going forward with many successes realized in the past year. He is remembered by many. Salute.

Heritage Victory at the Citadel!--Contributed by Susan Hathaway

Confederate flag at Citadel protected under state law, AG says

The Post & Courier, Charleston Jun 10 2014

A Confederate naval jack hangs in the Summerall Chapel. Russell Pace/The Citadel

The Confederate Naval Jack flag in Summerall Chapel at The Citadel is allowed under state law, the Attorney General's Office announced today.
"In our opinion, this flag would be protected in its present location by the Heritage Act as a 'monument' or 'memorial' erected on public property of the state," Solicitor General Robert D. Cook states in a letter to the two senators requesting the ruling.
"The General Assembly has mandated, by virtue of the Heritage Act, that monuments and memorials honoring the gallantry and sacrifice of this state's various wars are protected," Cook says.
"It is thus our opinion that the Flag referenced in your letter, the Confederate Battle Flag, placed in Summerall Hall in 1939 is protected by the Heritage Act," Cook says.
Charleston County Council member Henry Darby raised questions about the appropriateness of the flag in a house of worship on The Citadel campus.
Last week, County Council voted to delay disbursement of $975,000 in funding for the debt on Johnson Hagood Stadium renovations pending the outcome of the AG's opinion.
"It's time for us to move on. It's not a battle between the county and The Citadel. It's not our fight," said County Council Chairman Teddie Pryor.
Darby raised the issue at the request of constituents, Pryor said. Darby was not immediately available for comment.
Pryor said the college will receive the check for stadium renovations in the new budget starting in July.


The Citadel Veterans will not be dishonored!  We join citizens across the country in thanking God for this key, decisive victory, but can't help but assume that the Confederate Battle flags at the Confederate Memorial Chapel in Richmond would have been protected, and the Battle Flags at General Lee's mausoleum at Washington & Lee University would not be in danger...if Virginia had a similar law...
Let's make a Virginia Heritage Act a priority for the next legislative session...and protect ALL of Virginia's history! 
Susan Hathaway

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Virginia Flaggers

P.O. Box 547

Sandston VA 23150

info@vaflaggers.com

Point Lookout 23rd Annual Pilgrimage--June 28, 2014 by Susan Hathaway

Descendants of Point Lookout Organization Annual Pilgrimage - Saturday, June 28th, 2014




2013:



When the Feds started trying to tell us how we would be allowed to honor those who lived and died at Point Lookout at the national monument/park, these folks bought land and built a CONFEDERATE memorial park where our flags are flown, the truth is told, and our ancestors are honored as they should be.
My Great-Great Grandfather was incarcerated at Point Lookout before being sent on to Elmira.  I am proud to be a member of the Descendants of Point Lookout Organization.  If you are a descendant of a Point Lookout prisoner, please consider joining now!
Make plans to be a part of the pilgrimage, and support this fine organization!
http://www.plpow.com/



Susan Hathaway
Va Flaggers
P.O. Box 547
Sandston VA 23150

Va Flaggers Upcoming Events:

Thursday, February 20th:  3:00 pm - Dusk, Flagging the VMFA, 200 N. Boulevard

Saturday, February 22nd:  Noon - 4:00 p.m., Flagging the VMFA, 200 N. Boulevard

Saturday, February 22nd:  Susan will be speaking at the February meeting of the Rev. Beverly Tucker Lacy Camp #2141, SCV, Fredericksburg, VA.  4:00 p.m., Perkins Restaurant, 10 Simpson Rd. 

Saturday, March 1st:  Clean-up at Hollywood Cemetery, 9 a.m. - 12 Noon.  Bring rakes, yard tools, and garbage bags and join us as we continue our work to reclaim Confederate graves from the brush and overgrowth. 

Tuesday, March 4th, 2014:  Susan will be speaking at the March meeting of the R.E Lee Camp #1589, SCV.   Dolce Vita Italian Restaurant, 2401 Colony Crossing Place, Midlothian, VA 23112. Dinner at 6:00 p.m. and meeting at 7:00 p.m.

Saturday, March 15th:  1:00 p.m. Tombstone Dedication Ceremony for Browns Island Explosion Victims, Shockoe Cemetery, Sally I Tompkins Chapter #2, Va OCR

Thursday, March 20th:  Susan will be traveling to Columbia, SC to speak at the March meeting of the Lt. Gen. Wade Hampton Camp #273, SCV, Columbia SC. Seawell’s Banquet Hall, 1125 Rosewood DR. Dinner at 6:00, Meeting at 7:00.

Tuesday, March 25th:  Susan will be speaking at the March meeting of the Stonewall Camp #380, SCV.  Lillian's Seafood Restaurant, 1312 Geo. Washington Hwy N., Chesapeake, Virginia, 6:30 p.m.  www.stonewallcamp380.com

Saturday, April 12th:  Susan and Karen will be traveling to Stone Mountain, Georgia to attend the Annual Confederate Day Memorial Service.

Monday, April 14th:  Susan will be the guest speaker at the April meeting of the Lt. James T. Woodward Camp #1399, Warner Robins, Georgia. Sonny's BBQ, 811 Russell Parkway, Warner Robins, GA.  Supper at 6:00, meeting at 7:00.

Tuesday, April 15th:  Susan will be speaking at the W. F. Jenkins Camp #690, Eatonton, Georgia.  Location:  Bledsoe-Greene House, located at 105 West Sumter St., Eatonton, Georgia.  Dinner at 6:30, meeting at 7:00 p.m.

Wednesday, April 16^th:  66^th Annual Shad Planking, Wakefield, VA.  The Va Flaggers will once again have a booth at the Shad Planking.  2:00 p.m. – 6:30, Rain or Shine.  More information: www.shadplanking.com

April 19, 2014, 2014:  Susan will be traveling to Quincy, FL to speak at the Confederate Memorial Day Service at the Soldier's Cemetery, sponsored by the Finley's Brigade, SCV.

Saturday, April 26th: Susan will be speaking at the Delaware Confederate Memorial Ceremony, Marvel Carriage Museum, 510 South Bedford Street, Georgetown, Delaware, Time: 11AM - 2PM

Saturday, June 28^th:  The Descendants of Point Lookout Annual Pilgrimage, 10:00 a.m. – Confederate Memorial Park, Point Lookout, MD.  Guest Speakers:  Rev. Fr. Alister Anderson and Susan Hathaway – More information here:  www.plpow.com

H2

 

 

 

 

 

Va Flaggers: Fly it high, "United RVA"!

The only "real" opposition to the I-95 Battle Flag came in the form of a group called "United RVA".  Although they could muster only a little over 200 members on their FaceBook group, nearly EVERY news story concerning the flag mentioned them, and the fact that they were able to get 20,000 + signatures on a MOVEON.ORG petition.  Most of the signers were not from the Richmond area, much less the South, and the wording of the petition was misleading and incendiary. One of their organizers, Richmond Attorney Brian Cannon, gave the following statement:
"The Confederate Flag is at best a symbol of four years of our 400 years of history in Virginia," said Cannon. "It doesn't represent us at all. At best, that flag is a divisive symbol in a community. At worst, it's a symbol of hatred, bigotry, slavery, and an unwelcome sign to Richmond."

Their grand protest on Saturday was...wait for it...to raise a huge U.S. Flag on a crane in downtown Richmond. I guess that since every local poll showed OVERWHELMING support for the I-95 Battle Flag the media had to find something to highlight to try and stir up trouble.  They have also reported recently that they will try and raise money to permanently erect the flag on I-95, as a "protest" to the Memorial Confederate Flag that was raised. 

For the life of me, I can't understand how flying a super sized U.S. Flag is supposed to somehow "bother" us?!?!?  While I am the proud descendant of 4 Confederate Soldiers, I am ALSO the proud descendant of men who fought for the United States in every war since and have no issue whatsoever with the proper display of a U.S. Flag.

In 1941, my four Great-Uncles all left their Mother's home on North Avenue in Richmond to serve honorably in WWII.  They were the Grandsons of a Confederate Veteran.

L-R, Granville David Jenkins, Wesley William Jenkins, John Sylvanius Jenkins, and Ryland Sylvester Jenkins.  Uncle Granville was with the 24th Infantry in the Pacific. He was awarded a medal for bravery and came home to be killed by a drunk driver.  Uncle Wesley was with the 2nd Marine Div. in the Pacific.  Uncle "Tootsie" was with the 90th Infantry in Europe. He was the last surviving brother and died last year, at 95.Uncle Ryland was with the 9th (Army) Air Force in Europe.

Since the American Revolution, the Southern Soldier has served with distinction and honor in EVERY war in which he was called. Duty and sacrifice are in our DNA. It would do these folks well to remember that the most decorated soldiers in both WWI and WWII were...that's right, Southerners...who served among thousands of other sons and grandsons...of Confederate Soldiers.




Southerners have always been among the most patriotic Americans. If we are to believe the media, it looks like that we now may have sparked a wave of patriotism in the Capital of the Confederacy. WHO'DA THUNK IT?
...kinda makes me REAL proud to be a Virginia Flagger. :)Fly it high, "United RVA"!  


Susan Hathaway
Va Flaggers

Va Flaggers: "Empire of the Owls" Book/Donation

Va Flagger/Author H. V. "Bo" Traywick, Jr. has generously donated a case of his book "Empire of the Owls - reflections on the North's war against Southern secession" to the Va Flaggers. We will be offering the books for $20 each and ALL proceeds will go toward the I-95 Battle Flag Projects. Please consider purchasing this excellent book and supporting the Va Flaggers.



"This book will change your mind about everything you thought you knew about the War between the States. A reasoned, scholarly work, it is also a readable, gripping account of the war told by those who lived it. The dignified behavior of the Southerners defending their families comes through time and again. Noble sentiments of honor, duty and care of the defenseless are not lost in the desperation of war but elevated.
The book will make you cry. It will make you proud. It will also make you mad about a senseless war that killed 612,000 young men and caused horrible suffering that lasted for generations. But it is an important addition to the Civil War dialogue now, during the Sesquicentennial, because it allows the long-suppressed voices of the South (Virginia, in particular) to speak for themselves and challenge the version of history written by the victors."  - Amazon Review

http://www.empireoftheowls.com/

To purchase, send $20 to:
Va Flaggers
P.O. Box 547
Sandston VA 23150

Please note "Empire of the Owls" and include return address for shipping.

Susan Hathaway
Va Flaggers

Va Flaggers: VMFA Update 10-3-2013

Check out this GREAT article by Jim Dean in Veterans Today! "Virginian Veterans Raise I-95 Battle Flag.  America's most discriminated Veterans have their day in the sun."  http://www.veteranstoday.com/2013/10/02/virginian-veterans-raise-i-95-battleflag/

Please help by sharing the link via email and social media.


Following the Raising/Dedication of the RVA I-95 Battle Flag, the Va Flaggers headed out to the Boulevard on Richmond, and many of our out of town guests took advantage of the opportunity to flag the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts for the first time!  35 FLAGGERS covered the sidewalk, and the display of flags was one of the largest in recent months! 



Flaggers from Missouri, Florida, and Texas joined the Va Flaggers in forwarding the colors, protesting the forced removal of Confederate Flags from the portico of the Confederate Memorial Chapel, and changing hearts and minds. 




It was an honor to have our friend Bob Harris join us again from Harrisonburg!  What a perfect way to top off a VERY Confederate day in the Capital of the Confederacy!





The media spotlight from the I-95 Battle Flag has also brought new attention to the desecration of the Confederate Memorial Chapel by the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts.  October 1st marked the 2nd Anniversary of the very first flagging at the VMFA... and what a difference two years makes...


2011...




2013...



The Virginia Flaggers are committed to staying the course and are asking for your help!

Our next flagging is TODAY, Thursday, October 3rd, 3:00 p.m. - dusk.  JOIN US if you are able, and be a part of those taking a stand FOR the honor and memory or our Confederate ancestors and AGAINST those who would dishonor them.  Can't make it out to the Boulevard?  You can give support to the troops on the ground by calling the VMFA at (804) 340-1506 and asking them to return the Confederate Battle Flags to the portico of the Confederate Memorial Chapel.

RETURN the flags!
RESTORE the honor!

Grayson Jennings
Va Flaggers



UPCOMING EVENTS:

Thursday, October 3rd:  3:00 p.m. - Dusk - Flagging the VMFA, 200 N. Boulevard

Saturday, October 5th:  12:00 Noon - 4:00 p.m. - Flagging the VMFA, 200 N. Boulevard
Thursday, November 7th:  Susan will be speaking at the November meeting of the Jackson Rangers, Camp #1917, SCV, Jackson County NC.  The meeting is at 6:00 p.m., and is held at the Barker's Creek Community Center. 
Saturday, November 9^th:  2:00 p.m. Flag rededication at the NC Museum of History, Raleigh, NC

Friday, January 18th - Saturday, January 19th:  Lee-Jackson State Holiday/Flagging/Memorial Events, Lexington, Va

Saturday, February 1st:  Susan will travel to Statesboro, GA to speak at the Lee-Jackson Banquet, held by the Ogeechee Rifles, Camp #941, SCV.  RJ's Restaurant, 454 South Main St. (US 301 S.) @ 6 pm for the meal, preliminaries @ 7 pm and the program immediately following.  Seating limited to 125.  Ticket information forthcoming at a later date.

Saturday, February 22nd:  Susan will be speaking at the February meeting of the Rev. Beverly Tucker Lacy Camp #2141, SCV, Fredericksburg, VA.  4:00 p.m., Perkins Restaurant, 10 Simpson Rd. 
April 19, 2014:  Susan will be traveling to Quincy, FL to speak at the Confederate Memorial Day Service at the Soldier's Cemetery, sponsored by the Finley's Brigade, SCV.

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Va Flaggers: Raising the RVA I-95 Battle Flag

In the days leading up to the September 28th RVA I-95 Confederate Battle Flag raising in Chester, VA, the media filed reports filled with fears and speculation of "trouble" that was sure to accompany the planned Memorial and Dedication service.  Planning for a crowd of approx. 150, we were warned that folks would likely stay away in fear.  Chesterfield County police officers visited with us in the days leading up to the service, to go over parking and traffic control plans, and to let us know that they would be on call should there be any disturbances.

As the Va Flaggers arrived to prepare for the event on Saturday morning, it soon became obvious that not only was the weather going to be perfect, but that all of those fears were completely unfounded.  Parking was plentiful, traffic was trouble free, and over 300 Southern Heritage Supporters made their way to the flag site, including visitors from as far away as North Carolina, Texas, Florida, Missouri, and Pennsylvania, as well as cities and towns from across the Commonwealth.  Throughout the entire course of the event, there was not one single protestor, dissenter, or even a disparaging remark from passers-by.




As the crowd gathered, excitement began to build.  What a privilege to meet so many new friends and fellowship with old ones at the base of the flag pole!




Promptly at 10:00 a.m., the ceremony began with an invocation and the colors were presented by the Color Guard of the Capt. Wm. Latane Camp, #1690, SCV.  Salutes to the Confederate and Virginia flags, and the singing of "Carry Me Back to Old Virginny" drowned out the din of passing cars and set the tone for the ceremony.  Va Flagger Luke M. shared a beautiful rendition of "Amazing Grace" on the bagpipes.



An informative talk about the Confederate history of the area was shared, and poetry read to honor the Confederates who fought and died near the location. 

When the time came for me to speak, I was overwhelmed as I looked around at those who had assembled for the service.  On the ridge behind me, I saw a large group of men of the Mechanized Cavalry, SCV, and I could not help but smiling, realizing that just a few hours before, we actually had concerns about safety and security.  Who needs security when the Mechanized Cavalry has your back?




I spoke for a few minutes and standing there, in that spot that day, I marveled at the fact that there was none of the usual nervousness...no jitters...no stress or concern.  About halfway through my prepared notes, a breeze lifted and took my notes with it.  I don't really know how to explain it, but there was a peace that washed over me and I found myself straying from my prepared notes a bit, and speaking from my heart, full of emotion from the weeks leading up to that point, the excitement of the moment, and the realization that there were more gathered in that place than just those standing at the site.  Thanks to Ira Meredith, there is a an excerpt here...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=mbrSgfSlr_w


Immediately afterwards, and accompanied by the "Bonnie Blue Flag" on bagpipe, Grayson Jennings led a group of Va Flaggers in raising the 15x15 ANV Battle Flag.  Watching it was an experience many of us will not soon forget.  As the flag rose, the air was still and the crowd quiet in anticipation.  The flag reached the top of the pole, and as if on cue, or some would say, spurred by the breath of the Old Soldiers watching us, and amidst shouts of joy, a breeze suddenly lifted the flag and stretched her out for all to see and admire.







http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=MNIdq_mlW0o
The Latane Color Guard offered a rifle salute, a final benediction was invoked, and the crowd was dismissed with a rousing rendition of "Dixie".
The extensive media coverage leading up to the event, while often negative, had quite the opposite intended effect, as we have received support and donations from across the country and around the globe.  The press immediately following the event has been surprisingly positive.  Those reporters who attended the ceremony provided many quotes from our program in their reports, and interviews following the service by guests and Flaggers helped to better show the true meaning of the Battle Flag memorial as it was publicly dedicated to the honor and memory of the Confederate Soldier.
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/south-risen-confederate-flag-lifted-i-95-central-virginia-article-1.1471516

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2013/09/29/hundreds-gather-to-fly-confederate-flag-high-above-5-amid-controversy/?fb_action_ids=10151944456244274&fb_action_types=og.likes&fb_source=aggregation&fb_aggregation_id=288381481237582

http://www.ketknbc.com/news/confederate-flag-raising-is-causing-controversy-in

http://mhconstitution.com/2013/10/01/victory-virginia-flaggers-raise-confederate-flag-outside-of-richmond/

There have been comments and concerns regarding the visibility of the flag from I-95.  Please be assured that while the foliage served us well as concealment during the site work and pole setting, plans are underway to clear additional trees and branches to improve visibility... and fencing, lighting, and security cameras will be installed soon.  For now, it is enough for us to know that the flag is flying high, and is attracting visitors from all across the country to stop and admire her.  Confederate-friendly neighbors who are helping to keep an eye on the site have reported that there is a constant stream of cars stopping by, with folks walking across the overpass for the best view and photo opportunities. We are content in the fact that even if the current visibility from I-95 is not ideal, we know the flag is there...hundreds of thousands of people know its there...and most importantly, the SOLDIERS know it is there, and know that they are not forgotten!

More photos here, from Judy Smith Photography...  https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.276808269111132.1073741942.186485551476738&type=1

A special thanks to each and every person who made the day possible, through your generous support and/or contributions, and those who took the time to come out and attend the ceremony.  We are truly blessed by all who have joined us in this endeavor. 

Finally, we encourage you to watch the horizon...in Virginia...and elsewhere, as the I-95 Battle Flag Projects are...to be continued...

Susan Hathaway
Va Flaggers


Contributions to the I-95 Battle Flag projects may be mailed to:
Va Flaggers
P.O. Box 547
Sandston VA 23150
Payable to Va Flaggers

or through PayPal:

http://www.vaflaggers.com/i95flagdonate.html

 

Mayor of Vicksburg Commended by Susan Hathaway

The Honorable Mayor George Flaggs, Jr.
City of Vicksburg
Mayor's Office
PO Box 150
Vicksburg, MS 39181
mayor@vicksburg.org

Dear Mayor Flaggs,

I recently attended the Sons of Confederate Veterans National Reunion in Vicksburg and felt compelled to take pen to hand (or fingers to keyboard, as the case may be) to let you know how pleasurable my visit was. So often as citizens, our only form of communication with municipalities is in the form of a complaint, and it gives me great pleasure to have the opportunity to do just the opposite.

I found it remarkable, and heard others comment likewise, that just about every person I came into contact with in your city was welcoming, polite, and eager to please. From the police officer who had to chase me out of the Confederate Cemetery when the gate was closing for the night, to the drive-thru window attendants, to the folks at the convention center, I was always greeted with a smile and a warm welcome.

My room at the Candlewood Suites was clean, comfortable, and reasonably priced, and the staff there was wonderful. I enjoyed several great meals in the downtown area and noted the clean, well-kept condition of the streets and sidewalks.

Kudos to you, Sir, and warmest wishes for continued success. I do hope the SCV plans a return visit, as my only regret was that I did not have time to see all that I had hoped. I will be sure and let all of my friends and many contacts know that Vicksburg, MS welcomes ALL Southerners, and has much to offer those of us who honor our Confederate heritage.

Sincerely,
Susan Hathaway
Richmond, Va




Susan Hathaway
Va Flaggers




"It is easier to find a score of men wise enough to discover the truth, than to find one intrepid enough, in the face of opposition, to stand up for it."  A.A. Hodge   "Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth."  Eph. 6:14






Follow us: 
@VaFlagger


www.vaflaggers.blogspot.com/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/ConfederataeFlaggers/?fref=ts

Check out our Confederate and Family Friendly Search Engine...  www.confederatearchives.com

UPCOMING EVENTS:

Tuesday, July 30th:  Flagging the VMFA, 200 N. Boulevard, Richmond, 3:00 p.m. - Dusk

Thursday, August 15th:  Susan will be traveling to Emporia to speak at the monthly meeting of the John. R. Chambliss, Jr. Camp # 1779, SCV, 7:30 p.m., at the Emporia Library.

Sunday, September 29th :  SAVE THE DATE,  Va Flaggers 2^nd Anniversary Celebration/Picnic  

April 19, 2014:  Susan will be traveling to Quincy, FL to speak at the Confederate Memorial Day Service at the Soldier's Cemetery, sponsored by the Finley's Brigade, SCV. 

A Relentless Crusade for Tribute

You are not content with the vast millions of tribute we pay you annually under the operation of our revenue laws, our navigation laws, your fishing bounties, and by making your people our manufacturers, our merchants, our shippers.  You are not satisfied with the vast tribute we pay you to build up your great cities, your railroads, your canals.  You are not satisfied with the millions of tribute we have been paying you on account of the balance of exchange which you hold against us.  You are not satisfied with all this; but you must wage a relentless crusade against our rights and institutions....

We do not intend that you shall reduce us to such a condition.  But I can tell you what your folly and injustice will compel us to do.  It will compel us to be free from your domination, and more self-reliant than we have been.  It will compel us to assert and maintain our separate independence.  It will compel us to manufacture for ourselves, to build up our commerce, our own great cities, our own railroads and canals; and to use the tribute money we now pay you for these things for the support of a government which will be friendly to all our interests, hostile to none of them.---Rep. John H. Reagan of Texas (who would later become postmaster general of the Confederate government), addressing the Republican members of the House of Representatives  on January 15, 1861

Today, We Are All Slaves by Valerie Protopapas

The tiresome arguments about the War of Secession - who was right, who was wrong, why it was fought or NOT fought - are no longer necessary. OUR CASE FOR THE SOUTH AND AGAINST THE NORTH HAS BEEN PROVED. How, you ask? Look at our present situation. We are in the final stages of Lincoln's revolution. How many Americans rejoice in it? How many believe that it is a "good thing?" Instead, how many cry for a return to "constitutional government" and " the consent of the governed?" Even those who LOVE Lincoln, who despise the South because of slavery or who reject our truths whether out of ignorance or "patriotism" CANNOT believe that what we have today has ANY relationship to that great "experiment," the representative republic brought forth on this continent by our Founding Fathers.

So I don't want to hear about slavery - today we are ALL slaves - or about "union" - our "union" is one of conquest not choice - or about "patriotism" - which someone once pointed out was the last refuge of scoundrels. Ladies and Gentlemen, THE SOUTH WAS RIGHT. There no longer can be ANY doubt except for those who choose deliberate delusion over rational thought.

How to Destroy America by Valerie Protopapas

Dick Lamm is the former Governor of Colorado. In that context his thoughts are particularly poignant. Last week there was an immigration overpopulation conference in Washington , DC, filled to capacity by many of America 's finest minds and leaders. A brilliant college professor by the name of Victor Hansen Davis talked about his latest book, 'Mexifornia,' explaining how immigration - both legal and illegal was destroying the entire state of California. He said it would march across the country until it destroyed all vestiges of The American Dream.

Moments later, former Colorado Governor Richard D. Lamm stood up and gave a stunning speech on how to destroy America. The audience sat spellbound as he described eight methods for the destruction of the United States . He said, “If you believe that America is too smug, too self-satisfied, too rich, then let's destroy America. It is not that hard to do. No nation in history has survived the ravages of time. Arnold Toynbee observed that all great civilizations rise and fall and that 'An autopsy of history would show that all great nations commit suicide.' Here is how they do it,” Lamm said:

“First, to destroy America, turn America into a bilingual or multi-lingual and bicultural country... History shows that no nation can survive the tension, conflict, and antagonism of two or more competing languages and cultures. It is a blessing for an individual to be bilingual; however, it is a curse for a society to be bilingual. The historical scholar, Seymour Lipset, put it this way: 'The histories of bilingual and bicultural societies that do not assimilate are histories of turmoil, tension, and tragedy. Canada, Belgium, Malaysia, and Lebanon all face crises of national existence in which minorities press for autonomy, if not independence. Pakistan and Cyprus have divided. Nigeria suppressed an ethnic rebellion. France faces difficulties with Basques, Bretons, Corsicans and Muslims.'

Lamm went on:

“Second, to destroy America, invent 'multiculturalism' and encourage immigrants to maintain their culture. Make it an article of belief that all cultures are equal; that there are no cultural differences. Make it an article of faith that the Black and Hispanic dropout rates are due solely to prejudice and discrimination by the majority. Every other explanation is out of bounds.

“Third, we could make the United States an 'Hispanic Quebec' without much effort. The key is to celebrate diversity rather than unity. As Benjamin Schwarz said in the Atlantic Monthly recently: 'The apparent success of our own multi-ethnic and multicultural experiment might have been achieved not by tolerance but by hegemony. Without the dominance that once dictated ethnocentricy and what it meant to be an American, we are left with only tolerance and pluralism to hold us together.'” Lamm said, “I would encourage all immigrants to keep their own language and culture. I would replace the melting pot metaphor with the salad bowl metaphor. It is important to ensure that we have various cultural subgroups living in America enforcing their differences rather than as Americans, emphasizing their similarities.

“Fourth, I would make our fastest growing demographic group the least educated. I would add a second underclass, unassimilated, undereducated, and antagonistic to our population. I would have this second underclass have a 50% dropout rate from high school.

“My fifth point for destroying America would be to get big foundations and business to give these efforts lots of money. I would invest in ethnic identity, and I would establish the cult of 'Victimology.' I would get all minorities to think that their lack of success was the fault of the majority. I would start a grievance industry blaming all minority failure on the majority plantion.

“My sixth plan for America's downfall would include dual citizenship, and promote divided loyalties. I would celebrate diversity over unity. I would stress differences rather than similarities. Diverse people worldwide are mostly engaged in hating each other - that is, when they are not killing each other. A diverse, peaceful, or stable society is against most historical precept. People undervalue the unity it takes to keep a nation together. Look at the ancient Greeks. The Greeks believed that they belonged to the same race; they possessed a common language and literature; and they worshipped the same gods. All Greece took part in the Olympic games. A common enemy, Persia, threatened their liberty. Yet all these bonds were not strong enough to overcome two factors: local patriotism and geographical conditions that nurtured political divisions. Greece fell. 'E Pluribus Unum' - From many, one. In that historical reality, if we put the emphasis on the 'pluribus' instead of the 'Unum,' we will 'Balkanize' America as surely as Kosovo.

“Next to last, I would place all subjects off limits. Make it taboo to talk about anything against the cult of 'diversity.' I would find a word similar to 'heretic' in the 16th century - that stopped discussion and paralyzed thinking. Words like 'racist' or 'xenophobe' halt discussion and debate. Having made America a bilingual/bicultural country, having established multi-cultum, having the large foundations fund the doctrine of 'Victimology,' I would next make it impossible to enforce our immigration laws. I would develop a mantra: That because immigration has been good for America, it must ALWAYS be good. I would make every individual immigrant symmetric and ignore the cumulative impact of millions of them.”

In the last minute of his speech, Governor Lamm wiped his brow. Profound silence followed. Finally he said, 'Lastly, I would censor Victor Hanson Davis' book 'Mexifornia.' His book is dangerous. It exposes the plan to destroy America. If you feel America deserves to be destroyed, don't read that book.'

There was no applause. A chilling fear quietly rose like an ominous cloud above every attendee at the conference. Every American in that room knew that everything Lamm enumerated was proceeding methodically, quietly, darkly, yet pervasively across the United States today. Discussion is being suppressed. Over 100 languages are ripping the foundation of our educational system and national cohesiveness. Even barbaric cultures that practice female genital mutilation are growing as we celebrate “diversity.” American jobs are vanishing into the Third World as corporations create a Third World in America Take note of California and other states. To date, ten million illegal aliens and growing fast. It is reminiscent of George Orwell's book “1984.” In that story, three slogans are engraved in the Ministry of Truth building: “War is peace,” “Freedom is slavery,” and “Ignorance is strength.”

Governor Lamm walked back to his seat. It dawned on everyone at the conference that our nation and the future of this great democracy is deeply in trouble and worsening fast. If we don't get this immigration monster stopped within three years, it will rage like a California wildfire and destroy everything in its path, especially The American Dream.

If you wish to preserve our way of life, take the time to pass this on! NOTHING is going to change if you don't!

Lincoln Deified by News Media: A Reply from Valerie Protopapas

Upon the release of yet ANOTHER hagiography of Lincoln as advertised in National Review, I have sent the following "letter to the Editor:"

To the Editors:

Sirs, I notice that another hagiography of Lincoln has been loosed upon an ignorant and unsuspecting public. Indeed, Lincoln is a rank favorite among a great many conservatives; they positively worship the man. This, to anyone who knows the facts of history and not the current politically correct nonsense put forth in its name, is inexplicable!

All that we have today is a direct consequence of the policies of Abraham Lincoln:

You don't like intrusive government? Then you cannot "like" Lincoln!

You don't approve of your God-given (supposedly) constitutionally protected liberties infringed? Then you cannot "approve" of Lincoln.

You reject warfare that targets civilian non-combatants? Then you must reject Lincoln.

You condemn the current state of "race relations" in the nation? Then you must condemn Lincoln for it was his administration that pitted black against white as a strategy of war.

You bemoan the fact that the Constitution is now a worthless relic of a long-gone past? Then you must blame Lincoln for under Lincoln it was totally discarded so as to provide for the triumph of the State over the Founding Principles of the nation.

When it was claimed that Obama was the "new Lincoln," many applauded and some doubted but most of us who know Lincoln AND Obama quaked in fear. We understood that what little remained of the original nation would now be completely obliterated by the despotism begun with Lincoln and which has only gotten worse over the last one hundred and fifty years. Indeed, Obama governs much as Lincoln did, that is by ignoring not only the States and the People but the rest of the national (no longer federal) government. And though Lincoln would have rejected such a "diverse" descendant because of his race (Lincoln was no egalitarian!), he certainly would have applauded his despotic rule.

If you truly love what you say that you love - the nation founded in 1776 and defined in 1789 - then you must reject Abraham Lincoln and his legacy! If you do not, then you are no different from the liberals and progressives. You, too, want "big government," the only difference being what you want that government to do! On the other hand:

If you believe - as did Ulysses Grant and Antonin Scalia - that force of arms de-legitimized the constitutional right of succession, then you believe - as did Lincoln and his military - that "might makes right."

And if you believe - as does John Boulton - that covering some policy or action, however morally egregious, with "The Flag" grants it moral and legal validity, then you believe - as did Lincoln and his military - that "the ends justify the means." Something is right or wrong not because you are strong enough to prevail, but because you have Truth and the Right on your side.

As of now, far too many conservatives worship a man whose understanding of government was more akin to Marx than Jefferson and whose understanding of power was more akin to Hitler than Washington. As long as this situation prevails, your claim of legitimately representing the original American Republic is a lie.

Va Flaggers: Sign the "Match the Graves" Petition; Submitted by Susan Hathaway

Confederate Soldiers are American Veterans by Act of Congress

http://www.veteranstoday.com/2011/04/14/confederate-soldiers-are-american-veterans-by-act-of-congress/

 

Sign the Petition to amend the VA's Next-Of-Kin Rules here:

http://www.marktheirgraves.org/

 

More info:

 

Group Forms To Amend VA’s Next-Of-Kin Rules
(July 2013 Civil War News)

 

"A new organization that aims to change a federal regulation making it difficult to get government headstones for unmarked veterans’ graves has started an online petition campaign. According to Mark Their Graves, the Department of Veterans Affairs began enforcing a rarely-used regulation last year that, in effect, shuts down its Headstones and Markers Program.

 

The rule – Code of Federal Regulation section 38.632-(1) – precludes veterans’ groups, cemeteries, researchers and others from applying for government markers that identify the final resting places of military veterans unless they have permission from the veteran’s next of kin.  “This creates an impossible and unnecessary burden for groups seeking to honor veterans who served generations ago in conflicts like the Civil War, Spanish American War and even World War I,” says the group. Committee members ask the public to sign the petition at www.marktheirgraves.org and to contact their representatives in Washington and urge them to change the regulation. 

 

The effort is supported by the Civil War Trust, Ohio Historical Society, New York State Civil War Sesquicentennial Committee and the North Shore Civil War Roundtable.  Members include: Jeffrey I. Richman, Green-Wood Cemetery historian and North Shore Civil War Roundtable trustee; William Finlayson, president, Civil War Round Table of New York and North Shore Civil War Roundtable trustee; Robert MacAvoy, co-author of Our Brothers Gone Before and member, New Jersey Sesquicentennial Committee; Also, George J. Weinmann, vice president and instructor, Greenpoint Monitor Museum;  Vance Ingram, president, New York State Sesquicentennial Committee and Friends of the New York State Military Museum; Andrew Athanas, president, North Shore Civil War Roundtable; And, William Styple, author, Kearny (NJ) town historian; member, New Jersey Sesquicentennial Committee and Co. E, 15th New Jersey Infantry; and Bruce L. Sirak, president, Camp Olden Civil War Round Table & Museum; member, New Jersey Sesquicentennial Committee. 

 

The regulation’s effect can be seen at Brooklyn’s Historic Green-Wood Cemetery. In the past it successfully applied for and received 2,000 gravestones for Civil War veterans who researchers found to be in unmarked graves. Now, Green-Wood’s applications are being rejected, as are those of other researchers.

 

The petition is addressed to Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric Shinseki. It protests the redefinition of “applicant” as “next of kin” and implores the VA to limit the new regulation by “making it inapplicable to veterans who served more than 62 years ago — so that the veterans who now lie in unmarked graves can have a thankful nation mark where they lie, in tribute to their service.”

 

Within one week of the Mark Their Graves launch, almost 500 people had signed the petition. At presstime it had more than 900 signers.  Although Steve Muro, under secretary  for memorial affairs at the Veterans Administration, on April 10 told a Congressional subcommittee “We are actually looking at that reg. And we are going to do some rewrites of it … they made it over restrictive,” the committee says pressure must be brought to bear on the VA to amend the regulation.

 

Among the veterans denied government markers because of the regulation were Civil War veterans George Stillie and William Peter Strickland. Stillie (1839-1919) served in the United States Navy aboard the USS North Carolina, USS Valley City, USS Fernandina and USS Roebuck. He is buried in Melbourne, Australia. His wife predeceased him and their only child died in New Zealand in 1912.  Strickland (1809-1884), chaplain of the 48th New York Infantry for two years, believed that serving the Union was “the most sacred duty of every liberty-loving American citizen.” He is interred in Green-Wood Cemetery." 

Susan Hathaway
Va Flaggers 

Andersonville As Seen by A Union Soldier: by Valerie Protopapas

More truth about Andersonville and Confederate treatment of Union prisoners:

Edward Wellington Boate was a soldier in the 42nd New York Infantry and a prisoner at Andersonville in 1864. He wrote of his experiences in the New York Times shortly after the war and commented on whom he held responsible for Andersonville’s legacy.

"You rulers who make the charge that the rebels intentionally killed off our men, when I can honestly swear they were doing everything in their power to sustain us, do not lay this flattering unction to your souls. You abandoned your brave men in the hour of their cruelest need. They fought for the Union and you reached no hand out to save the old faithful, loyal and devoted servants of the country. You may try to shift the blame from your own shoulders, but posterity will saddle the responsibility where it justly belongs."

What the U.S. Supreme Court Knew About Jefferson Davis: by Tim Manning

CSA President Jefferson Davis, the CSA Cabinet, and the great military leaders of the Confederate States of America were never charged with treason or any other crime against the USA.

WHY? This is an important and revealing question. Following the massive genocide against Southern Negroes and Caucasians and the cry for Southern blood following the U.S. murder of Abraham Lincoln there was NO GENEROUS POSTURE in the northern States about the Confederate States and northerners were not a forgiving people. So, what happened?

Albert Taylor Bledsoe (November 9, 1809 – December 8, 1877) was an Episcopal priest, attorney, professor of mathematics, and officer in the Confederate army and was best known as an apologist for the Confederate States of America. The outline of his life goes like this . . . (mostly from Wikipedia outline)

Bledsoe was born in Frankfort, Kentucky, the oldest of five children of Moses Owsley Bledsoe and Sophia Childress Taylor (who was a relative of President Zachary Taylor). He was a cadet at the United States Military Academy at West Point from 1825 to 1830, where he was a fellow cadet of Jefferson Davis and Robert E. Lee. After serving two years in the United States Army, he studied law and theology at Kenyon College in Gambier, Ohio, and received his M.A. and LL.M. In 1836 he married Harriet Coxe of Burlington NJ, and they had seven children, four of whom survived childhood. Bledsoe was . . .   

Adjunct Professor of Mathematics and French, Kenyon College, (OH) 1833–1834.  

Professor of Mathematics, Miami University (OH), 1834–1835.  

Professor of Mathematics and Astronomy, University of Mississippi, 1848–1854.  

Professor of Mathematics, University of Virginia, 1854–1861.

In his lectures at the University of Virginia would frequently "interlard his demonstration of some difficult problem in differential or integral calculus--for example, the lemniscata of Bernouilli [sic] --with some vigorous remarks in the doctrine of States' rights". His book The Philosophy of Mathematics was one of the earliest American works on mathematics and includes chapters on Descartes, Leibnitz, and Newton.

In 1835, Bledsoe became an Episcopal minister and became an assistant to Bishop Smith of Kentucky. He abandoned his clerical career in 1838 because of his opposition to infant baptism. Later in life, he was ordained a Methodist minister in 1871, but he never took charge of a church. He was a strenuous advocate of the doctrine of free will and his views are set forth in his book Examination of Edwards on the Will (1845).

In 1838, Bledsoe moved to Springfield, Illinois, where he was a law partner of Edward D. Baker, and where he practiced law in the same courts as Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas. He practiced before the United States Supreme Court in Washington DC from 1840–1848.

In 1861, Bledsoe received a commission as a colonel in the Confederate Army, and later became Acting Assistant Secretary of War. In 1863 he was sent to London for the purpose of researching various historical problems relating to the North-South conflict, as well as guiding British public opinion in favor of the Confederate cause.

His essays published as a book titled "Is Davis a Traitor?" was possibly the best book written on secession as a solution to tyranny and was read by the members of the USA Supreme Court following the war. The Supreme Court justices feared charges being brought against President Davis would result in a U.S. judicial review that would demand . . .

1) That the Southern States be freed of the USA immediately,

2) That the USA would have to pay war reparations to the CSA that would break the back of the northern industrial States and banks for many decades,

3) That Northern military officers and elected government officials be tried and executed for war crimes against humanity, and that

4) All Confederates charged would be found innocent and the USA would be known for the bully that it was.

In 1868 he moved back to the United States and published the Southern Review. He was the "epitome of an unreconstructed Southerner" and published articles defending slavery and secession.