 | Confederate Monument, Greenwood Cemetery, Shreveport, Louisiana |
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I was born in 1939 before the war, and I remember the closeness felt as a small child growing up in a military town. Maybe it was just the feeling felt by people in any town-USA at that time. Actually it was the whole decade of the 1940's and the early 50's.
The people were proud and determined. Setting aside personal differences, they banded together to lead the world in ridding it of aggression, from not only Europe but Asia and the remainder of the world. It took not quite 5 years. We then took charge and began rebuilding what was torn down. The feeling of proudness did not last.
I see this bonding and coming together re-emerging. I see people who are once again proud to be Americans. I see the melting pot being heated up again, and the "jelling" taking place. I see people waving flags that have never before waved flags. I see them waving the flag for the right reason, and I like it. I like it because in waving the American flag, I see flags of all people being waved and I don't hear anyone objecting to it. People are once again proud of whence they came.
We, as SCV members have been trying to accomplish this "To be proud of whence we came" since 1896. Don't Let It Die.
May God bless this nation, and all nations and lead us in the fight to rid this world of those who wish to terrorize and cause conflict among us.
Gerald S. Thorn
Commander
Capt. J.W. Bryan Camp #1390
Sons of Confederate Veterans
Embrace with Your invincible armour our loved ones in all branches of the service.
Give them courage and strength against all enemies both spiritual and physical and hasten their safe journey back to their homes and families.
Amen.
Our hope is that he will have a quick recovery.
In the days ahead, there will be a need for other resources in support of our military that at the moment are being deployed to distant parts of the world in the fight against terrorism. We should be prepared to give blood when needed, letters and cards to show they have our support, and of course, our daily prayers.
A press release was distributed to the major media outlets on September 17, 2001, stating our support as an organization for the President of the United States and members of Congress who will be making some tough decisions in the days ahead decisions that will affect all Americans.
Confederately,
Edwin L. Deason
Commander-in-Chief
MOBILE, ALA. -- It gives us great pleasure to announce that the two people on Mobile's city council who broke their word to the press and to us personally, who denied the clear will of their constituents and voted to remove the Battle Flag from Mobile city seals and symbols, have lost their bids for re-election. We fully expect the establishment press to downplay this issue of the Flag as a part of the outcome- we do not care. What is important is that local and state politicians will take note. Also, the goal of ridding scalywag politicians from the Mobile city council is complete.
Three council seats were in contention here. In all three, the culturally bigoted Mayor Mike Dow openly supported the losers with finances, campaign workers, you name it. Dow swung and missed three times to strike out. (Dow's phone number is 334-208-7395) Council persons in district four, six and seven should know they were not the mayor's choice. What the mayor forgot is that he does not get to choose. The people do. Mayor Dow lost the mayor's race west of I-65 to a candidate, who was poorly financed, running against an incumbent, and who was denied any fair treatment by the press. The mayor really has some kind of psychological disorder, where he believes everyone loves and follows him. He should look again at election returns and at the people west of city limits who are formally finishing the incorporation process. This process, by the way, gained new momentum after Mobile politicians Mabin Hicks (defeated) and Charlie Waller (defeated) broke their word and brought down the flag. Waller and Hicks can join in retirement Gary Tanner, who was defeated for his cultural bigotry in the Mobile county commission race last year.
We welcome Mr. Reggie Copeland, the councilman from district five, who voted to keep the flag and was rewarded by being unopposed in his race. This was his reward for respecting the will of the people he serves. It is our hope that he will soon be the new council president, replacing the arrogant Clinton Johnson. Mr. Johnson, along with Mike Dow, secretly engineered committee formation so as to get a predetermined result, which would aid in removing the Rebel Flag last year. He refuses to return calls to heritage supporters and has accused the chairman of Friends of the Flag of being a "klansman in a suit."
This is the kind of rude bigotry that is not needed from a community leader.
We would also like to say that the three new members of the Mobile council are all on record as promising to have regard for all law-abiding members of our community, including those proud of their old southern heritage! We look forward to a new day, where truly every culture in Mobile receives respect from our community rulers. We welcome you all and wish you and our town great success. We also call once again on Mayor Mike Dow and all our community leaders to agree that people's culture and heritage should be a non-political issue as are factors such as sex, race and religion. We ask again and will never stop requesting that peace on this issue be brought to our city by the acknowledgment that tolerance is universal. It is wrong to judge and expel any one group because their cultural grounding is disagreeable to your personal opinions. We hope to never again seek the removal of a politician because he or she is a cultural bigot towards southern history.
But unfortunately, until the 'flag snatchers' publicly call for an end to their practice of removing southern culture and it's symbols, the fight for our human-civil rights must and will continue. Leaders should lead on this issue.
To conclude; The moral of the story about Mobile city elections is DIXIE WINS! Thank you and God bless our fellow Americans who are missing family and loved ones in New York City and D.C. Our prayers are with you all.
Ben George
Chairman, Friends of the Flag
These are tragic times in America and "Dixie" joins its brothers and sisters throughout this great country in praying for those who lost loved ones and those still missing from the September 11th, day of infamy, when America was attacked.
Some networks have aired the wonderful Mr. Ray Charles, a native son of the South, singing God Bless America and have shown the United States and Confederate Flags waving ever so proudly over this land of the free. Each day we hear the songs; God Bless America, Rally Round the Flag and Battle Hymn of the Republic and the people are uniting around their President and country like never before.
There will most probably be some of the United States Armed Forces who will give their lives and like every war this country has fought, their will be many from "Dixie" who will be ready to do their duty.
In wars past many patriotic songs have been played to honor those who will fight for our liberty. Isn't it about time to play Dixie. Dixie, which has been listed as among the top 10 patriotic songs of all times which is loved by many people from the North, East, West and from the Sunny South. It has been played in every war up to now.
When the War Between the States ended and Lincoln's Military Band, at the White House, was ready to play any song he wanted; he wanted to only hear "Dixie." Abraham Lincoln, President of the Union, liked Dixie, and Jefferson Davis, President of the Confederacy, liked Dixie.
When the band warms up to play those patriotic songs ask them to also play Dixie for the men and women of the South who will join their brothers and sisters in the North to help end the barbaric acts of terrorism in the world. God Bless America!
Calvin E. Johnson, Jr.
From UDC President Gen. Mrs. Suzanne W. Silek:
This century began with such joy for Americans as we felt that the threat of war was greatly diminished and that the swords had been beaten into plowshares. We were aware that there were enemies in the world who wished to cripple the United States of America. We have learned the depth of their enmity today, September 11, 2001.
I urge each member of the United Daughters of the Confederacy to respond to this national tragedy in several ways. First, I ask your prayers for those who lost their lives this day in Somerset County, Pennsylvania, The World Trade Center Towers in New York City, and the Pentagon in Virginia.
I ask your prayers for the President of the United States of America and the other members of our government that they make wise decisions as they preserve and defend our country.
I ask your prayers for those who mourn, that they may cast their care on God and know the consolation of his love.
I now ask each and every Daughter to find within herself that inner core of strength shared with her ancestors as we meet this threat to our country.
We will show the world what Patriotic Activity means as we respond to our country's call. Each Chapter president should be alert - contact your Red Cross and/or Salvation Army to see how your Chapter can be of service. Your General Patriotic Activities Chairman, Mrs. Connie Moretti, will be providing information for you as we move forward. Do not sit back and wait for someone else to do the work, be on the front line as the Daughters have always been.
From CofC President General Jennie Ellen Harper:
Dear Divisions and Chapters (where no Division),
On Tuesday, September 11, 2001, our country was attacked, and thousands of innocent people lost their lives. In just one day, the United States of America experienced the shock of thousands killed by madmen, the bravery of the rescuers who continue to work to find anyone alive, and the horror of not knowing what to do. Our great country needs our help now. As citizens of the United States, it is our turn to defend our freedom and help our fellow countrymen.
UDC President General Mrs. Silek has urged UDC members to respond to this national tragedy in several ways, and I ask each CofC member to do the same. In addition, I ask you to take action and continue our Patriotic legacy of help in time of need. I ask you to succeed in our Organization's goal of displaying patriotism by donating one dollar per member. The General Organization will match each dollar you donate. This will be given to the Red Cross to aid in this common Cause.
Your donation will be counted on your 2002 Treasurer's report this summer. Please send your check of one dollar per member to Anne Pitre, made payable to "Treasurer General, CofC," as soon as possible.
This is our chance to do what we are here to do. If we do not help our country in its time of need, when?
GOD BLESS THE SOUTH, AND GOD BLESS AMERICA!
From CofC Custodian General Harris Parker:
As patriotic Americans, we, the Children of the Confederacy, deplore the catastrophic attack on our great nation. We stand united with our fellow citizens against the forces which would cause pain and suffering for America and Americans. We offer our sympathy to those whose lives are affected by the deaths of loved ones and we pay tribute to those whose heroic efforts resulted in the saving of lives. We grieve for those who sacrificed their own. Our lives, too, are forever changed by this senseless tragedy on American soil.
As we pause to memorialize the dead, we are reminded that these people gave their lives for their country for and because of freedom, just as did our heroic ancestors so many years ago in countless battlefields across America. Not since the War Between the States has our country experienced such bloodshed among our people. What can we do to add our voices to the cries of countless people around the nation and world?
Pray for peace.
Support the American Red Cross. The Red Cross is an agency that grew out of the need to aid the suffering during the War. Nurse Clara Barton began the work of the American Red Cross on the battlefields. Her ministering hand brought healing and comfort to the sick and dying. The Red Cross continues to assist people in tragic and dire circumstances. As chairman of the CofC's Patriotic Services Committee, I call on individuals, Chapters, and Divisions to assist this worthwhile agency in whatever way you can.
Monetary donations and volunteer efforts at bloodmobiles are suggested. Fly the flag of the United States of America. Fly flags from your home. Encourage your churches, schools, and the businesses with which you have contact to do the same. Lower the flag to half-staff if it is flown on an upright pole. Show your love of our country as we stand bound together. We are Americans! God Bless America!
We normally hold the election in November since the December meeting is a Christmas social. The new officers are then sworn in at the January Lee-Jackson Banquet. For more information call Cmdr. Thorn. 625-8473 or the editor, 582-6154.
| Confederate Monument, Greenwood Cemetery, Shreveport, Louisiana |