Via Billy
Compatriots,
The Confederate Flag Rally & Ride yesterday Saturday July 18 at Leesburg and Albany Georgia far far far exceeded any of my expectations. About 400 participants. This event was planned and organized by an amazing 16 year old young lady (Elizabeth Conley) using Facebook. She accepted my offer to assist. I addressed the crowd standing in the back of a pickup truck and introduced her and gave her full credit and then asked the crowd to give her a standing ovation which they did.
I gave a very short speech telling everyone what the principles and values are that the CSA flag represents: Limited Constitutional federal Government, States Rights, Resistance to Tyranny, and Christian Values---the same principles and values represented by the original U.S. Betsy Ross flag.
I gave out over 100 small antenna flags and copies of the Weaver CD "The Truth Concerning The Confederate Flag" courtesy of the Albany SCV Camp.
We then left on the ride from Leesburg to Albany. The Lee County sheriff's deputys gave us a police escort but the bureaucrats in Albany could not because we did not know a permit was required.
The procession was about 3 miles long with pickup trucks, motorcycles, and cars all flying Confederate flags. Even a huge motor home with flags attatched to the sides. Some trucks has 4 flags flying 3'x5' size. We drove Hwy. 19 from Leesburg to Albany then left on Hwy. 82 thru Albany to the East Albany Walmart parking lot. Regrouped there about 30 minutes then drove the Albany bypass Hwy. 82-520 back to Hwy.19 and ended at the Harvey's Grocery store & plaza.
All along the route people were waving, taking pictures and cheering beside the road, on bridge over passes etc. Both Albany TV stations interviewed Elizabeth and I.
I was overwhelmed with joy at this magnificent performance by these young Southerners. They really care. What did dismay me was the absence of SCV support--only 3 to my knowledge 1 Albany camp member, Sylvester camp commander Mark Thornhill, and I. Miss Conley had welcomed SCV support and I had sent e-mail notices and invitations this past Thursday to all SCV members in the 9th Brigade from Americus down to Bainbridge and part of the 8th Brigade.
SCV should not let this golden opportunity to reach out to the young people of the South. Some are planning to attend Albany's monthly SCV meeting Monday PM and some want to join SCV. We must educate and train young Southerners or else SCV will eventually die out. We can use the Marxist attacks that are occurring against everything Confederate on the national, state, and local levels to rally young Southerners and use their energy to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. To do so we must be bold and not timid. We talk the talk about the SCV Charge constantly. Talk is cheap. Now is the time to Walk the Walk and not just Talk the Talk.
I believe in being bold in this culture war to save our heritage, history, and culture. We need to operate like Stonewall Jackson and Forrest. The young people of the South have shown their willingness to fight and win. Will we in SCV ?
The talk about doubling SCV membership in 2016. The young people are the key to doing so even if we have to pay their dues and help them document their CSA ancestor. They want action---not just meet, eat, retreat meetings.
To let this opportunity with the young people pass by is comparable to not capturing Washington after 1st Manassas, not taking the high ground the 1st day at Gettysburg, or failing to smash Sherman as he was crossing the Chattahoochee river advancing toward Atlanta.
Are our SCV leaders and SCV camps up to the task? I hope so.
James W. King
SCV Camp 141 Commander
Albany Georgia
