We will have drawings of the monument by architect Lee Dorn at our meeting on June 21, so everyone can see them, and give their opinion about them.  I am really excited about what Lee has done for us, and I believe the Park Service folks will be impressed and favorable with Lee's designs.  This project is years overdue, and we the men of the McGowan Camp should be grateful that this duty and honor has come to us. Visitors to the Spotsylvania Battlefield will, for all times to come, know of our dedication to the memory of our gallant ancestors of McGowan's Brigade.Come to the meeting and take part in the plans for this special project.

Thanks to all our members who have been so faithful during the past year. It has been hard on our Camp without a "home", but we now have a very good place to meet. Come on out to the American Legion building on the 21st, and be sure to call another Camp member and remind them to come, too.  TO YOU, SONS OF CONFEDERATE VETERANS......

There will be a cemetery workday on Saturday, June 23rd. I plan to go back to White Plains Farm in lower part of the county and put out the monument to William Pinkney Workman. I attempted to install this marker myself a few months ago but was thwarted by equipment failure. This is a small, interesting, and isolated cemetery. Please plan to meet with me behind Verdin's Farm and Garden on Hwy 221 in Laurens with a departure time of 9:00 AM.

Everyone, no matter the age, health, physical condition, or political inclination (maybe) is invited. (The last time we did this, my nearly 5 year old grandson even assisted by tamping in dirt at the base of the marker, and carrying in/out tools!) You can do it too---just show up.

David Tillman

Back in the 50s there was a well known radio host and song writer in  Hollywoon named Stuart Hamblen who was noted for his drinking,womanizing,  partying etc, one of his bigger hits at the time was "I won't go hunting with  you jake but I'll go chasing women"

One day along came a young preacher holding a tent revival and Stuart  had him on his radio show presumbly to poke fun at him. In order to gather more  material for his show. Then Stuart showed up at one of his revival  meeting (note the young preacher was Billy Graham.)  Early in the service the preacher announced "There is one man in the  audience that is a fake."  These words began to haunt Stuart then a few  nights later and asked him to pray for him. They talked for about three hours  and then Stuart dropped to his knees and called out to God.

Stuart quit drinking quit chasing women and everything he used to call fun.  Soon he began to lose favor with the Hollywood crowd. He lost his job when he refused to accept a beer company for a sponser. As he was continuing to struggle he stopped by and talked with John Wayne.  John told him that all his troubles started when you got religion,  was it worth it all? And Stuart's response  was "It's no big secret.  All things are  possible with God." To this John said, "Thats a catchy phrase you should write a  song about it."

Then Stuart began to think as he went home the clock struck twelve midnight  then Stuart started writing and he wrote IT IS NO SECRET.  This song was a hit song still is a great song and this song  made Stuart money and the rest is history.  Get a copy of this song, it  has a great message.