Why am I a member of theSons of
Confederate Veterans?
BECAUSE I have a deep sense of loyalty
to my family and that especially
includes my Great Grandfather, who, as a
private in the Confedrate Army, with no
hope of recognition except that his
sacrifice would be remembered by his
family, gave his life in defense of his
country, his home and for those who
would come after him.
BECAUSE I have so much to be proud of in
the Confederate Army. It's brilliant
fight, under conditions of extreme
privation, against an enemy overwhelming
in numbers and equipment, so won in
admiration of the world that 100 years
later, a group of retired British Army
and Navy officers organized the
Confederate Historical Society of Great
Britain, headquartered in London, to
study it's campaigns. In 1974, a group
of Belgians organized the Confederate
Historical Society of Belgium, based in
Brussels, for the same reason and
purpose. The Southern Skirmisher's
Association in England re-enacts battles
of the War. Some members have to wear
the Blue but typical of the sentiment,
is one sturdy English Confederate who
told a reporter: "...one Southern
fighting man was worth two Yankees. I
would never be anything but a
Southerner."
No other army in history has been paid
such a tribute by foreigners over a
century after the war in which it was
engaged. Are foreigners to admire and
honor the valor of the Confederate
soldier in my family while I remain
indifferent?
BECAUSE I believe in the promise of the
Man of Galilee, of life after death. As
my Great Grandfather looks down upon me
from Valhalla of Confederate heroes, I
want him to know that I am not
ungrateful, that I remember and honor
his bravery and sacrifice.
BECAUSE I am a proud Southerner. I am
proud of the culture, grace and elegance
of the Old South. I love the Confederate
Flag and "Dixie" as stirring symbols of
my heritage. I take pride in the earlier
leading role the Old South played in the
Revolutionary War, the founding of the
United States and drafting of it's
Constitution. I love The Star Spangled
Banner and the Stars and Stripes as the
Flag of the United States, and I served
under that Flag in World War II.
BECAUSE our Southern heritage has served
our nation well since 1865. No section
has surpassed the South in percentage of
volunteers to defend our country in time
of war. The traditional Southern
adherence to our free enterprise system,
with it's liberty and opportunity for
all, has been the bulwark against the
trend towards the dictatorship of the
welfare state with it's liberty and
opportunity for none.
BECAUSE my membership is not only duty,
but a pleasure. It has inspired me to
become much better informed about my own
family history and heritage and to
record it for my children's benefit. I
have become better informed about the
greatest war ever fought by Americans. I
enjoy our social activities, the
association with ladies and gentlemen of
like background, and the many warm
friendships that resulted, both locally,
and all over the South.
Those of us who belong to the Sons of
Confederate Veterans, do so:
"In testimony of our love, recalling
deeds immortal,
heroism unsurpassed.
"With ranks unbroken, ragged, starving
and decimated,
the Southern soldier for duty's sake,
Undaunted stood to the front of the
battle until no light
remained to illumine the field of
carnage,
Save the luster of his chivalry and
courage."
"Nor shall your glory be forgot
While fame her record keep
Or honor points the hallowed spot
Where valor proudly sleeps."