Dick Poplar Day and a Visit to Florida

It was a VERY busy weekend for the Virginia Flaggers...

Saturday, morning, in Petersburg, Va Flaggers attended the "Dick Poplar Day" memorial service at Memorial Hill in Blandford Church Cemetery.  15 Flaggers attended , serving on the Edmund Ruffin FireEaters Camp #3000 SCV Color Guard, participating in the wreath laying ceremony, and attending as guests. 

"Dick Poplar , a Black Confederate, had been a caterer at the Bollingbrook Hotel in Petersburg, Virginia where his cornmeal creations were said to be unequaled.  He took his culinary genius to war with some Confederate fighting units and was captured at Gettysburg.  Sent to Point Lookout Prisoner of War Camp, he was put under special pressure to desert the Southern Cause and take the oath of allegiance to the United States, but he treated oppressors with cold contempt.  He declared himself "a Jeff Davis man" and said he didn't care who heard him say so.  He endured almost twenty months of life in one of the three very worst prisoner of war camps of the war, selling his famous pones to the other prisoners.  He returned to Petersburg after the war, and became a celebrated local figure and prospered. Upon his death he was buried with full Confederate honors as befitting a loyal Son of the South."

More information here:  http://www.craterroad.com/richardpoplar.html

More photos here:  https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.273485582776734.1073741931.186485551476738&type=1

LATER THAT AFTERNOON...

14 Flaggers gathered on the Boulevard in the Capital of The Confederacy, forwarding the colors and protesting the forced removal of Confederate Battle Flags from the Confederate Memorial Chapel on the ground of the Old Soldiers Home.





Huge crowds and beautiful early weather meant MANY, MANY chances for conversations with citizens, and MANY, MANY opportunities to educate about our flags, our ancestors, and the continued desecration of the Confederate War Memorial Chapel by the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts.  The Flaggers reported that almost everyone they talked with, as usual, agreed that the Confederate Battle Flags SHOULD be returned to the Confederate War Memorial Chapel.

 

More photos here:  https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.273491612776131.1073741932.186485551476738&type=1

MEANWHILE, IN TAMPA...

Susan was spending Saturday speaking to members and guests of the Augusta Jane Evans Wilson Chapter #2640, United Daughters of the Confederacy, in Temple Terrace, FL.  It was a great time of sharing and fellowship, making new friends, visiting old ones, and raising awareness for Confederate Heritage Defense issues.  Susan was inspired by the support and appreciation she received, and very grateful for  the warm hospitality and welcome from those in attendance, including many members of the Judah P. Benjamin Camp # 2210, Sons of Confederate Veterans.  .





ALL THE WHILE...

Site work continued at the I-95 RVA Battle Flag site, in preparation for the September 28th Flag Raising/Dedication/Memorial Service.  The service is on schedule for 10:00 a.m., and details will be forthcoming this week.

PLEASE make plans to join us for the weekend of 9/28 - 9/29, as we paint RVA Confederate Red!
Saturday, September 28, 10:00 a.m.  I-95 RVA Battle Flag Dedication/Raising
Saturday, September 28, 2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. - Flagging the VMFA
Sunday, September 29, 3:00 p.m. - Va Flaggers' 2nd Anniversary Celebration/Family Picnic - Mechanicsville Moose Lodge

Grayson Jennings
Va Flaggers



Contributions to the I-95 Battle Flag project may be mailed to:

Va Flaggers
P.O. Box 547
Sandston VA 23150

OR Donate here:
http://www.vaflaggers.com/i95flagdonate.html


UPCOMING EVENTS:

Thursday, September 19th:  Flagging the VMFA, 200 N. Boulevard, 3:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Saturday, September 21st:  Flagging the VMFA, 200 N. Boulevard, NOON - 4:00 p.m.

Saturday, September 28th:  SAVE THE DATE, I-95 Battle Flag Flag Raising/Dedication, 10:00 a.m.  Chesterfield, VA.

Sunday, September 29th :  SAVE THE DATE,  Va Flaggers 2nd Anniversary Celebration/Picnic, 3:00 p.m., Mechanicsville Moose Lodge Pavillion, 716 Flag Lane, Mechanicsville, VA 23111.  Va Flaggers will provide the main dish and drinks.  Please bring a side dish and RSVP to info@vaflaggers.com.  ALL ARE INVITED TO JOIN US! 

April 19, 2014:  Susan will be traveling to Quincy, FL to speak at the Confederate Memorial Day Service at the Soldier's Cemetery, sponsored by the Finley's Brigade, SCV.