JANUARY 2001
Hawkins to be Speaker at Lee-Jackson Banquet
There is a elevator at the facility. For those who don't want to drive at night, free shuttle service is available.
Robert L. Hawkins III is a native of Randolph County, Mo. and earned a JD degree from the University of Missouri School of Law in 1979.
He is a member of the Southern Historical Association, the Order of the Southern Cross, the Supreme Court Historical Society, and the Confederate Historical Society of Belgium. He holds memberships in the Rotary Club and Sigma Chi fraternity. He is a life member of the State Historical Society of Missouri, a former board member of the Cole County Historical society, and a former commissioner on the Historic Preservation Commission of Jefferson City, Mo.
In 1990, Hawkins was elected commander-in-chief of the Military Order of the Stars and Bars and the 63rd commander-in-chief of the Sons of Confederate Veterans in 1992.
He organized the first John Randolph of Roanoke Oratorical Contest in 1991, and won the event himself in 1995.
Commander Hawkins counts among his Confederate ancestors Maj. William Alexander Marshall, surgeon, 4th Missouri Cavalry; Maj. Robert B. Bristow, Woolfolk's Battery, Alexander's Artillery; Pvt. Alexander N. Bell, 14th Virginia Cavalry; Chaplain Robert Smith Hunter, Gano's 7th Kentucky Cavalry; Chaplain James Benjamin Bristow, 26th Virginia Infantry; and Lt. William Andrew Hawkins, Porter's Regiment, Missouri Volunteers, Mr. Hawkins and his two sons, Robert Lewis Hawkins IV, and Benjamin Reed Hawkins are life members of both the SCV and MOS&B. Hawkins is an avid reader, a collector of antiques and art and an accomplished musician with proficiency on the bass, guitar, and piano. He is a recipient of the Jefferson Davis Chalice, the Robert E. Lee Chalice and the O'Connor Missouri Silver Star.
During his administration, he led the effort to acquire, establish and staff historic Elm Springs in Columbia, Tennessee, as the SCV's international headquarters.
Commander Hawkins is best remembered among his Missouri compatriots as directing the funerals of William Clarke Quantrill in 1992 and Jesse Woodson James in 1995. Commander Hawkins is ever faithful to his heritage, he adheres to his motto, "For God, Missouri, the South and the Right."
ATLANTA (AP) - Gov. Roy Barnes knows the Confederate battle emblem can stir up passions that some voters will remember on Election Day. That's exactly why he wants to avoid a fight over changing Georgia's flag. But the uncivil war over Confederate symbols may be coming to Georgia whether the governor wants it or not. Civil rights leaders have set their sights on Georgia this year, threatening boycotts if the Confederate battle emblem isn't removed from the state's flag. Many are the same activists who successfully fought last year to remove the Confederate flag from atop South Carolina's Statehouse. Currently, the Mississippi Legislature is considering whether to call a statewide referendum on whether to keep its 106-year-old state banner, with its Rebel flag in one coroner, or replace it with a design proposed by a special commission. Some Georgia Republicans - most of whom want to keep the flag - welcome the fight in their state.
They think the debate will split Democrats along racial lines and hurt Barnes, a Democrat who is up for re-election in 2002. Many Democrats - including some blacks - are hoping to keep the issue under wraps. Much of the South continues to struggle over the future of Confederate symbols. This year, the Legislature in Mississippi - the only other state that uses the Confederate emblem on its state flag - will consider a proposal to change the flag. The debate also continues to simmer in South Carolina. Although the Confederate flag was removed from atop the Statehouse, another was placed nearby on the Statehouse grounds, raising the ire of civil rights leaders.
Sonar images of the inside of the Confederate submarine H.L. Hunley confirm artifacts inside the sediment-filled vessel which is the first sub in history to sink an enemy warship. "These reflections out of the sub are a signal to us," said state Sen. Glenn McConnell, the chairman of the state Hunley Commission. Researchers had generally assumed there were artifacts inside, but the sonar scans, taken during the past two weeks, confirm it, said McConnell, a Charleston Republican. Researchers used very high-frequency sonar waves to map the submarine. The results showed artifacts both in the bow and the crew compartment of the hand-cranked vessel crafted of locomotive boilers.
McConnell said the sonar, which shows differences in the consistency of the sediment inside, showed numerous artifacts in the bow, indicating the Hunley sank bow first.
"We are assuming those things - human remains and items that were loose - tumbled down when the submarine sank," McConnell said. It is not possible to tell from the sonar images whether the artifacts are human remains or other items, he said. McConnell also announced that scientists will begin excavating the inside of the submarine on Jan. 22. The sub, raised earlier this year, rests in a tank of cold water at a conservation lab in North Charleston.
The Hunley sank the Union blockade ship Housatonic off Sullivans Island on Feb. 17, 1864, using a black powder charge at the end of a spar. But the sub and its nine-man crew never returned from the mission.
Tours of the submarine are being held this weekend as well as the weekends of Dec. 9-10; Dec. 16-17; Jan. 6-7; Jan. 13-14 and Jan. 20-21. The conservation lab will also be open weekdays during the holidays with tours scheduled Dec. 18-23, Dec. 26-30 and Jan.9-12.
The excavation beginning next month could take two months to complete.
"We hope to reopen (for tours) after the excavation. But that will subject to whether or not that will compromise the scientific mission or the security of the artifacts," McConnell said. Visitors must have reservations for the 20-minute tours which cost $10. Tickets are available by calling 1-888-202-3849 or 919-782-5010. They are also available on the Internet at www.etix.com.
The boycott lost its steam when the flag was removed from the dome. However, the state NAACP has continued its boycott efforts until the flag is removed completely from the grounds. During last year's debate, which dominated the legislative session, flag supporters and opponents held rallies at the Statehouse. The first was the Sons of Confederate Veterans event attended by 6,000 people. A week later, the NAACP-sponsored King Day at the Dome was attended by 46,000 people. Rally organizers say their goals are still the same, but they realize next month's efforts probably won't draw the same crowds. Legislators say they are not likely to revisit the issue.
Rep. Harry Stille, D-Due West, and attended a Save Our Flag rally earlier this year, but last year, he backed the compromise. Stille said he has no plans to attend next month's rally or to revisit the flag issue. ''They have a right to make their point,'' he said. ''They have a right to express what, in their opinion, should be done. ''I just don't believe the Legislature is going to get back into this. I don't know why they would. It was divisive enough.''
Sen. Kay Patterson, D-Columbia, said legislators will be wise to leave the flag alone. ''It's impossible to satisfy everyone because one group wants it up and the other group wants it down and off the grounds,'' Patterson said. ''I'd like to have it off the grounds, too, but I've learned in this world, you don't always get what you want.''
Date: 17 February, 2001
Line up : 4PM - Parade kicks of at 6:00 PM (last light)
Line up location : The Old Lowe's Building on Natchitoches Street (Old Natchitoches Road)
Route: From corner of Natchitoches and North 7th in West Monroe to Louisville and Breard (Eastgate Shopping Center) in Monroe. Decorate for Mardi Gras if you can. The colors of Mardi Gras are green, gold, and purple.
DIRECTIONS
I-20 is the main corridor through Ouachita Parish and the cities of West Monroe and Monroe. Coming from East or West on I-20 take the Stella Street exit (#115) in West Monroe which is Louisiana 34 South. Go to the first light - about 200 yards from the interstate - do not cross the railroad tracks but turn left onto Old Nachitoches Road. The Old Lowe's building will be within 200 yards on the left side of the road. Park in any of the parking lots around. Actual formation will be accomplished in one of the parking lots in this area - most likely in the Summers Supply lot directly adjacent to the blue Lowe's building. We have also reserved a block of rooms at the Red Roof Inn in West Monroe (1-800-733-7663 or 318-388-2420 ) for those participating in the parade. The cost of the rooms is $44.99 for two people. There is also a block of rooms at the Holiday Inn Express ( 318-388-3810 ) at a cost of $52.00 a night and includes breakfast at the hotel. We have 10 doubles reserved at each hotel.
When you call to make your reservation ask for the Sons of Confederate Veterans rate. The hotels are located at the Thomas Rd. Exit on the Frontage Road ( Constitution Ave.) in West Monroe next to the Super K-Mart. Thomas road is one exit west of the Stella St. Exit where the parade lines up.
For more information contact Northeast Brigade Commander Ted Brode at 318-323-3961 or Louisiana Division Commander Chuck Rand at 318-387-3791 or [email protected].
Please cash in your cans at a local recycling center and present the donation to treasurer Bruce Tarver.
The Parade is Saturday February 24, 2001. Line up will start at 2:00 PM and the parade will roll at 4:00pm. The parade is 3-4 fours miles long. Line up is near Beckett street in Bossier City between the Pierre Bossier Mall and the Civic Center, it will cross the Red River and end on the Shreveport side. All SCV, UDC, reenactors or just plain old Southerns are welcome. Wear Uniform or Civilian, you can march or ride. All Confederate and State Flags are welcome, Battle Flags especially! For more details you can contact me or Taylor Camp Commander Ben Head at [email protected].
Forward the Colours!
Chuck McMichael 1308
If you know of anyone looking for a pistol, I would appreciate you passing the word around. If interested contact Compatriot Vandever.
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