VaFlaggers: 2013 Year In Review

As we approach the end of 2013, the Virginia Flaggers look back with awe and amazement on what has been a phenomenal year, and with sincerest appreciation for each person whose support and encouragement has made it possible.  Like MANY of you, our folks have been busy, and we want to share just a glimpse of what we have been up to…

For the second year, the Va Flaggers led two days of Flagging in Lexington, VA, in January, to protest the City Council’s discriminatory flag ban, and honor Lee & Jackson on the State holiday.  As in 2012, we sponsored a banner plane, which circled the town during the events on Saturday, and participated in the parade and memorial services.

That same month, Va Flagger TriPp Lewis was arrested for carrying a Confederate Flag on Confederate Memorial Park, on the grounds of the Old Soldiers’ Home in Richmond.  Tripp was carrying the flag as a tribute to his ancestor on the day marking the anniversary of his admittance into the home.  A groundswell of support brought in funds to pay his legal fees, and all criminal charges were dismissed in August.  This laid the groundwork for Civil action, which is currently pending, and will serve to address the ongoing violations of constitutional rights and continued desecration of the Confederate Memorial Chapel and Confederate Memorial Park by the VMFA. 

Throughout the year, our ongoing vigil at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts continued.  EVERY WEEK, TWICE A WEEK, members of the Va Flaggers gathered to forward the colors and protest the forced removal of Confederate Flags from the Confederate Memorial Chapel.  Started in October of 2011, we could never have imagined that what we do there every week would make such a difference.  Each week, we see the fruits of our efforts, as we change hearts and minds, and change the landscape in Richmond.   By our records, our Flaggers logged over 3,000 hours of flagging  at the VMFA alone,  in 2013.  This front, on the sidewalk of the Boulevard, is only one of many which we are pursuing in the battle to RETURN the flags and RESTORE the honor to the Chapel.

In August, news of the sellout of the Museum of the Confederacy meant we added its Richmond location to our flagging schedule, and we have maintained a presence ever since, reminding museum officials that there are those of us who do not take kindly to seeing our heritage and history sold to the highest bidder, and to let visitors and guests know of the shenanigans taking place. 

Susan had the pleasure of speaking at dozens of SCV meetings, and even her first UDC speaking engagement, as she traveled to 9 states during the year, sharing information about heritage defense and encouraging others to take a stand for their ancestors. In April, she was especially honored to speak at the raising of the World’s Largest Third National Flag in Tampa. 

In July, she was pleased to attend the SCV National Reunion in Vicksburg, where she was well received and thrilled to meet so many friends and supporters.  The highlight of the trip was receiving  heritage defense awards on behalf of many of the Va Flaggers, and the news that Susan was awarded the Stephen Dill Lee award, the highest award offered to a non-SCV member by the SCV.

Throughout the year, Flaggers attended dozens of memorial services, including traveling to Point Lookout for the Annual Pilgrimage, and to Sharpsburg for the Memorial Illumination, as well as many, many other local and nearby events.  We saw the formation of other flagging groups across the South, and have assisted with their organization and activities as much as possible, and have lent a hand with other heritage defense issues when help was requested.  We also were and are active in clean-up projects in several local cemeteries, and were proud to facilitate the return of the Robert E. Lee signage to the bridge in Richmond that is named in his honor, which had been missing for some time.

In early August, and in order to raise necessary funds, we announced plans for a Battle Flag Memorial on I-95 near Chester.  Picked up almost immediately by a few liberal news outlets, the intense media publicity and scrutiny that ensued over the next months surprised even the most seasoned heritage defense veterans. 

We unveiled the 15x15 ANV Battle Flag on the steps of the Capitol in Richmond, and the breathtaking photo from that moment, along with the historical information of the birth of the CBF, quickly became viral, and was widely circulated in social media and by news agencies. 

In the end, all of the media attention served to bring us more support than we ever imagined, and on September 28^th, in spite of those who said it would never happen,  a 15x15 ANV Battle Flag was triumphantly raised on I-95 in Chester to a crowd of 300+ with absolutely no protests or problems… and still flies today… a living, breathing memorial to the Confederate Soldier. 

For several months, almost daily, the local paper’s editorial page carried an opinion piece about the flag, one way or the other, and has opened the door for many discussions about our heritage.  There was a GREAT piece published in the Wall Street Journal and we were interviewed by media outlets as far away as Great Britain.  EACH TIME we are able to get such coverage, it is a chance to get OUR MESSAGE out…that of the honor and valor of the Confederate Soldier!  A real, and very unexpected byproduct of this was that with each interview, televised news story, or published  article, the spotlight once again was focused on the VMFA and the desecration of the Confederate Memorial Chapel, giving us new platforms to expose their misconduct,  and new support for our efforts there.

Since the flag was raised, we have been contacted by many people with land adjacent to I-95, and other interstates, who are looking to be a part of future projects.  We are looking forward to seeing these projects continue across Virginia and beyond, as land and funds are made available.

The Va Flaggers look back on 2013 and are overwhelmed at all that was accomplished, and overcome with gratitude for each and every person who gave of their time, talents, and resources to make it happen.  As much as we have to be thankful for, we look forward to 2014 with even more excitement and hope that with the blessings of our Creator, and the cheering on of a great cloud of witnesses, 2014 will be the year that the flags will be returned to the Confederate Memorial Chapel, and that Southerners across Virginia and beyond decided to take a stand for our Confederate Heritage, and push back against those who would desecrate our memorials and dishonor the memory of our Confederate dead. 

We have only just begun to fight…will you join us?

BEST WISHES FOR A SAFE, HAPPY, AND VERY CONFEDERATE NEW YEAR!

Grayson Jennings
Va Flaggers

Va Flaggers Museum of the Confederacy Update: New "Temporary" Name

For those of us who have been following the antics of Museum of the Confederacy President and CEO Waite Rawls since he assumed the reins at the museum, and have repeatedly called for his removal, the sell-out of the museum to the ultra PC "American Civil War Center at Tredegar" comes as no surprise.

In 2007, Rawls made it clear that he was willing to sacrifice even the name of the institution when he announced that along with a proposed move, the name "Confederacy" was likely to disappear from the museum's title...  http://www.civilwarnews.com/archive/articles/07/museumconfed.htm

"Museum President and CEO S. Waite Rawls III suggested that the name was negotiable. He told the Richmond Times-Dispatch, "The repositioning we've done over the past 30 years is to be more of a modern education institution and less of a memorial to the Confederacy."

Although the name change was delayed a few years, it appears as if he will finally get his wish to change the name...as well as the Museum's original intent... with the recent liquidation. 

From the Museum of the Confederacy's website:


"Civil War Holdings, Inc. is the temporary name of the joint partnership between the American Civil War Center and the Museum of the Confederacy. When the two institutions joined forces in the fall of 2013, a new Board of Directors was created, comprising members of both former boards."  Complete list here:  http://www.moc.org/about-us/board-trustees

Those of us in Richmond easily recognize the name of the Chairman of the new board, Dr. Edward L. Ayers, as one who has, as a close personal friend and associate of Mr. Rawls, been allowed unrestricted access and influence at the museum. 

In November of this year, Dr. Ayers was a featured speaker at the "Loving RVA" gathering in Richmond:

The main focus of this gathering was to introduce a plan to "revitalize RVA".  Details of the plan are available here...  http://lovingrva.com/index.html and include a "slavery and freedom heritage site" http://lovingrva.com/HeritageSite.html , but not surprisingly, NOT ONE MENTION of Richmond's rich Confederate history and heritage:

"The Revitalize RVA Plan includes a very important historical component. The Slavery and Freedom Heritage Site will be on the site of the Lumpkins Slave Jail, which is across the train trestle from the proposed commercial and residential development."

Ayers' public support of this project, which COMPLETELY EXCLUDES any reference to Confederate history and heritage in Richmond, is just ONE example of many, that leaves little doubt as to the direction of this "new museum", under the leadership of Dr. Ayers, Mr. Rawls, and Ms. Coleman.

**Catalog of the Confederate MEMORIAL Literary Society:  http://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uva.x000889186;view=1up;seq=1  Each item collected and lovingly donated by Veterans and their families "In Memoriam Sempiternam". 

"In Memoriam Sempiternam"...or "In Eternal Memory"    God help us when we stand before these men and women one day and have to explain why WE, their sons and daughters, stood quietly by and let this happen.

LEST WE FORGET!
 








Grayson  Jennings
Va Flaggers

From all of us... to all of you!

"An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.  But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.  Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.  This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."  Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,  "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests." " - Luke 2:9-14

Lee-Jackson Day in Lexington

In September of 2011, the City Council of Lexington, VA voted to ban ALL flags from the flag stands on city light poles, rather than allow the Sons of Confederate Veterans to display the flags of Lee and Jackson on the flag stands for the week leading up to the Virginia State Lee-Jackson Holiday. 

 

As we have done each January since, the Va Flaggers invite ALL to join us as we head to Lexington for the Virginia State Lee-Jackson Holiday, Friday, January 17th, 2014.  We will spend the day on the sidewalks of Lexington, forwarding the colors, honoring our Confederate heroes...and showing town officials that their actions will not be forgotten!

 

Plan to meet at Stonewall Jackson Cemetery Friday, January 17th at 10:00 a.m. to receive literature, instruction, and maps. We will be flagging all day.  Lunch on your own (OUTSIDE of Lexington). Supper together at 5:30 (location TBD - OUTSIDE of Lexington) and back to town for a Confederate Picture show after dark. ;)

Saturday, we will attend the memorial service at Stonewall Jackson Cemetery (meet at Cemetery at 9:30 a.m.) and then march as a unit in the parade (11:15 a.m.), and attend the RE Lee Memorial Service (12:00 p.m.) at Lee Chapel. Lunch (OUTSIDE of Lexington) and then back to town for MORE FLAGGING!

ALL Confederates are welcome to join us in the parade or ANY or all of the activities! All that is required is a Confederate flag, a desire to honor our ancestors... and a smile!

Hotel reservations (OUTSIDE of Lexington) can be made at a discount using the rates negotiated by the Stonewall Brigade.  Reservations need to be made by January 3rd to receive the discount.  Details here:  http://leejacksonday.webs.com/lodgingsponsors.htm

More information available on our Facebook event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/227559140750614/

RETURN the flags!
RESTORE the honor!
See you in Lexington!

Susan Hathaway
Va Flaggers

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

Va Flaggers
P.O. Box 547
Sandston VA 23150

Payable to Va Flaggers

or through PayPal:
http://www.vaflaggers.com/i95flagdonate.html

A Sunday Flagging at the VMFA

At our CHRISTmas celebration last Friday night, it was decided that due to the VERY rainy forecast for Saturday, we would postpone our weekly Saturday flagging to Sunday instead, and it turned out to be an excellent idea.

The weather was gorgeous Sunday, and over a dozen flaggers gathered on the sidewalk from 2-5 outside of the VMFA and were able to greet visitors attending the museum AND and open house at the Confederate Memorial Chapel.  Once again, we welcomed first time flaggers, several of whom joined us after worship.

We had many conversations with passers-by and distributed literature detailing how the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts desecrated the Confederate Memorial Chapel by forcing the removal of Confederate Battle Flags from the portico.  As is usually the case, most folks agreed that the flags should be returned.


After posing for a few photos at the Chapel, one of our flaggers was approached by VMFA security guards who warned that if he went on the grounds of Confederate Memorial Park carrying a Confederate flag again, he would be arrested for trespassing.

Video here: http://www.youtube.com/edit?o=U&video_id=d4FLIpgRY-4

More photos from flagging here:  https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.294739223984703.1073741992.186485551476738&type=1

Thursday evening found the weather a bit cooler, but still 7 Flaggers made their way to the Boulevard to stand for the veterans of the Old Soldiers' Home.  Traffic was very light, but there was no shortage of Confederate flags on display.  A few months ago, one of our flaggers designed a 20 foot pole that is portable and secured to automobiles.  Several flaggers now have the set up, and 5x8 flags can be seen all around the VMFA while we are flagging!  ;)

2013 may be winding down, but the Va Flaggers are looking ahead to the New Year with renewed strength and determination to continue this vigil until the flags are returned to their rightful place on the Confederate Memorial Chapel.  Even in our third year of flagging the VMFA, support continues to grow, and as much as you see us on the sidewalk, there is much more going on OFF of the sidewalk in our efforts to continually find new ways to engage the public and fight AND WIN the battle on new fronts.

CALL TO ACTION:
SATURDAY, December 21st:
9:00 a.m. - NOON Flagging the Museum of the Confederacy, 1201 East Clay Street
NOON - 4:00 p.m.:  Flagging the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, 200 N. Boulevard

JOIN US...and be a part of those taking a stand for our Confederate heritage!  If you can't be there, please take a few minutes of your time to call in support of the Flaggers.  Call the VMFA at (804) 340-1405 and ask them to return the Confederate Battle flags to the Confederate Memorial Chapel.

RETURN the flags!
RESTORE the honor!













Tommy Clinger
Va Flaggers

Jefferson Davis Memorial Service

This past Saturday, we took a short drive down to Ft. Monroe to attend the Jefferson Davis Memorial Service, held in the Casemate room in which he was imprisoned after the War. The ceremony was held by the Magruder-Ewell Camp #99, and Commander Ken Wood and his men did a wonderful job in conducting a moving and meaningful service.

 

I was honored to be asked to light the memorial candle, and felt humbled to perform the duty in the very room where our President languished so long, unlawfully and unjustly kept shackled and confined under lock and key.

It was my first visit to Ft. Monroe, so we took some time to explore the grounds.

 

After the ceremony, we were pleased to witness the swearing in of officers for the 13th Virginia mechanized cavalry, Camp #9, Sons of Confederate Veterans, who were gracious enough to invite us to lunch with them. It was a pleasure to meet many new friends! Many thanks to Jeff Barbour for his gracious hospitality, and to Ken Wood and the Magruder-Ewell Camp#99 for the warm welcome and all of their hard work! :)

More photos here: https://www.facebook.com/susan.f.hathaway.7/media_set?set=a.10152129973749274.1073741851.698334273&type=3


Susan Hathaway
Va Flaggers

Contributions to the I-95 Memorial Battle Flag projects may be mailed to:
Va Flaggers
P.O. Box 547
Sandston VA 23150

Payable to Va Flaggers

or through PayPal:
http://www.vaflaggers.com/i95flagdonate.html

Sharpsburg Memorial Illumination

On Saturday, December 7th, several Va Flaggers traveled to Sharpsburg, MD for the 25th Annual Sharpsburg Memorial Illumination.

http://www.nps.gov/anti/planyourvisit/luminary.htm

Every year, hundreds gather to honor each of the 23,110 soldiers killed, wounded, or captured during the Battle of Sharpsburg.  A candle is set and lit for each one.  As the sun sets, the sight is one that is hard to describe...and offers a glimpse of the magnitude of the sacrifice of the men who fought there.

It was our second year attending, and as was the case last year, we were invited by a local Boy Scout Troop to assist the hundreds of volunteers who set up and light the 23,110 candles, and wanted to ensure a Confederate representation during the event. 

With the temperature hovering around 30 degrees and a stiff wind, lighting the candles was a challenge, to be sure.

We took stick CBF flags to pass out and as soon as we passed out the first one, we were bombarded by requests and quickly gave out the first 2 dozen that we had with us.

When it came time for the ceremony, which is attended by the volunteers just before dusk, we went back to our vehicle and got our full sized flags to carry, and another 3 dozen stick flags.  As we approached the gathering, several people stopped to greet us and thank us for forwarding the colors.  One man came up to us and shook our hand as we arrived and said "thank goodness SOMEONE brought the OTHER American flag".  It turns out the gentleman was a member of the SCV.  He and his wife had traveled from Oklahoma to attend the event and he stood with us, holding two stick flags for the duration of the ceremony.

We passed out the rest of the stick flags... and seeing all of those Battle Flags waving in the crowd, a large number of whom were young Boy Scout volunteers, was a beautiful sight to behold!

We were pleased to learn that the featured speaker was none other than Jeff Shaara, the author of Gods and Generals!  One of the volunteer speakers recognized our flags in his remarks, as a representation of the 10,316 Confederate casualties. 

After the ceremony, we posed for a few photos and made our way back to our vehicle, to make the tour of the candlelit battle field.  One cannot help but be moved to tears at the sight...and the thought of the life that each candle represented...and the honor and sacrifice that we must NEVER forget.

Many thanks to the folks who work so hard to make this event possible.  Without exception, everyone, including NPS employees, welcomed us, and our flags warmly and there seemed to be a respectful understanding of the fact that Confederate soldiers deserve and should be afforded the same honor and reverence shown to their Union counterparts. 

LEST WE FORGET!

Susan Hathaway
Va Flaggers

Va Flaggers Upcoming Events:

Friday, January 17th - Saturday, January 18th, 2014:  Lee-Jackson State Holiday/Flagging/Memorial Events, Lexington, Va.  The Va Flaggers will be flagging Lexington all day Friday, for the Lee-Jackson State Holiday, and participating in the Memorial Services and parade on Saturday, with more flagging Saturday afternoon.  We invite all to join us!  More details soon.  Info from the Stonewall Brigade here:   http://leejacksonday.webs.com/

Saturday, February 1st, 2014:  Susan will travel to Statesboro, GA to speak at the Lee-Jackson Banquet, held by the Ogeechee Rifles, Camp #941, SCV.  RJ's Restaurant, 454 South Main St. (US 301 S.) @ 6 pm for the meal, preliminaries @ 7 pm and the program immediately following.  Seating limited to 125.  Ticket information forthcoming at a later date.

Saturday, February 22nd, 2014:  Susan will be speaking at the February meeting of the Rev. Beverly Tucker Lacy Camp #2141, SCV, Fredericksburg, VA.  4:00 p.m., Perkins Restaurant, 10 Simpson Rd.

Tuesday, March 4th, 2014:  Susan will be speaking at the March meeting of the R.E Lee Camp #1589, SCV.   Dolce Vita Italian Restaurant, 2401 Colony Crossing Place, Midlothian, VA 23112. Dinner at 6:00 p.m. and meeting at 7:00 p.m.

Thursday, March 20th, 2014:  Susan will be traveling to Columbia, SC to speak at the March meeting of the Lt. Gen. Wade Hampton Camp #273, SCV, Columbia SC. Seawell’s Banquet Hall, 1125 Rosewood DR. Dinner at 6:00, Meeting at 7:00.

April 19, 2014, 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.
 
Saturday, April 26th, 2014: Susan will be speaking at the Delaware Confederate Memorial Ceremony, Marvel Carriage Museum, 510 South Bedford Street, Georgetown, Delaware, Time: 11AM - 2PM 
  
Contributions to the I-95 Memorial Battle Flag projects may be mailed to:

Va Flaggers
P.O. Box 547
Sandston VA 23150

Payable to Va Flaggers
or through PayPal:
http://www.vaflaggers.com/i95flagdonate.html

Hollywood Cemetery Spruce Up

On Tuesday, December 3rd, the Virginia Flaggers gathered at Hollywood Cemetery for an afternoon of cleanup.

On the eve of the I-95 Chester Memorial Battle Flag Raising, we met one of our out of town guests at the NW corner of the Soldiers’ Section to try and locate his ancestor’s grave. He was disappointed to find that it appeared to have been located in some overgrowth of hedge and vegetation. After obtaining permission and the blessing of the folks at the cemetery, we decided to see what we could do to help clean it up.





The section we were working in is the “Old Soldiers Section (west), and has special to meaning to the Va Flaggers, as it is the location of burial for many of the residents of the Old Soldiers’ Home on the Boulevard. This section was one of the first used for burials of Veterans from the home. After two years of standing for these men on the Boulevard, even those of us without a direct ancestral connection have come to feel a special connection to them.

We cut the overgrowth and pulled it to the street for pick up . We also replaced several stick flags, and had some really good conversation with cemetery visitors. By mid-afternoon we had completed phase 1 and notified the office. They were very happy with what we had accomplished.

There is still more work to be done and we will plan another work day soon. Many thanks to all who came out and volunteered! Stay tuned for the next scheduled work day…

The Virginia Flaggers

Va Flaggers Upcoming Events:
Tuesday, December 10th:
Noon - 3:00 pm: Flagging the Museum of the Confederacy, 1201 East Clay St.
3:00 p.m. - Dusk: Flagging the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, 200 N. Boulevard

Saturday, December 14th:
9:00 a.m. - Noon: Flagging the Museum of the Confederacy, 1201 East Clay St.
Noon - 4:00 p.m.: Flagging the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, 200 N. Boulevard

Friday, January 17th - Saturday, January 18th, 2014: Lee-Jackson State Holiday/Flagging/Memorial Events, Lexington, Va. The Va Flaggers will be flagging Lexington all day Friday, for the Lee-Jackson State Holiday, and participating in the Memorial Services and parade on Saturday, with more flagging Saturday afternoon. We invite all to join us! More details soon. Info from the Stonewall Brigade here: http://leejacksonday.webs.com/

Saturday, February 1st, 2014: Susan will travel to Statesboro, GA to speak at the Lee-Jackson Banquet, held by the Ogeechee Rifles, Camp #941, SCV. RJ's Restaurant, 454 South Main St. (US 301 S.) @ 6 pm for the meal, preliminaries @ 7 pm and the program immediately following. Seating limited to 125. Ticket information forthcoming at a later date.

Saturday, February 22nd, 2014: Susan will be speaking at the February meeting of the Rev. Beverly Tucker Lacy Camp #2141, SCV, Fredericksburg, VA. 4:00 p.m., Perkins Restaurant, 10 Simpson Rd.

Tuesday, March 4th, 2014: Susan will be speaking at the March meeting of the R.E Lee Camp #1589, SCV. Dolce Vita Italian Restaurant, 2401 Colony Crossing Place, Midlothian, VA 23112. Dinner at 6:00 p.m. and meeting at 7:00 p.m.

Thursday, March 20th, 2014: Susan will be traveling to Columbia, SC to speak at the March meeting of the Lt. Gen. Wade Hampton Camp #273, SCV, Columbia SC. Seawell’s Banquet Hall, 1125 Rosewood DR. Dinner at 6:00, Meeting at 7:00.

April 19, 2014, 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.

Saturday, April 26th, 2014: Susan will be speaking at the Delaware Confederate Memorial Ceremony, Marvel Carriage Museum, 510 South Bedford Street, Georgetown, Delaware, Time: 11AM - 2PM

 
Contributions to the I-95 Memorial Battle Flag projects may be mailed to:
Va Flaggers
P.O. Box 547
Sandston VA 23150

Payable to Va Flaggers

or through PayPal:
http://www.vaflaggers.com/i95flagdonate.html
 

Mechanicsville Christmas Parade Canceled

"Due to the upcoming weather forecast for Sunday and our huge concern for the safety of all our participants and the overall public, we regret, that we will have to cancel this year's Mechanicsville Rotary/Ruritan Christmas Parade. There is no rain date and we look forward to seeing everyone again next year

Have a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year."

Mechanicsville Rotary

December Updates

Museum of the Confederacy:
As we reported in November, MOC President Waite Rawls (after denying the rumors for months) recently announced the "merger" or "collaboration" of the Museum of the Confederacy with the American Civil War Center at Historic Tredegar. The museum building will be sold to VCU to pay off massive debt, and the artifacts, collected and preserved by the wives and daughters of Confederate Veterans, will be hauled off to Tredegar.

For those of you who have not visited Tredegar, allow us to remind you that it is the site of the Lincoln statue in Richmond...

 Rawls posed for this photo with Christy Coleman, Director at Tredegar, to publicize their new venture....

While certainly not surprised at this latest move, considering the PC direction the Museum of the Confederacy has been heading since Rawls took the reigns, we wonder if those who have continued to support him will still do so, considering Ms. Coleman's (public) statement that honoring one's Confederate heritage is "foolishness". Listen here as she answers the question "Should We Still Associate Racism with Confederate Heritage?"

http://www.c-spanvideo.org/clip/4091984

On Saturday, the Virginia Flaggers once again posted the colors at the Museum's Richmond location. We were able to talk to visitors and give them information about the sale of the Museum and the imminent danger of losing our sacred artifacts to those who have no interest in honoring our Confederate heritage. Our presence continues to remind museum leadership that while they may, EVEN NOW, retain the support of the pc crowd, and yes, even some in our heritage organizations, there are MANY of us who are outraged by this liquidation of the museum and will make sure they are reminded of it as often as possible.

Virginia Museum of Fine Arts:
Later that day, over a dozen Flaggers gathered at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, continuing our efforts to restore the confederate Battle Flags to the Confederate Memorial Chapel. It was a brisk day, but clear, and several good conversations were held with folks wanting to know about the Chapel and why we forward the colors.

It is hard for them to understand why the VMFA forced the removal of two small flags, which flew from the portico 5 days a week, for 4 hours a day, to be replaced by scenes like this...

...several times a week. More flags, for more hours...in a much more visible location. Our numbers are growing each week, as we welcome more and more folks ready to stand in defense of their ancestors and for the men of the Old Soldier's Home!  
 

More photos here... https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.291366044322021.1073741985.186485551476738&type=1

The Virginia Flaggers will be back out tomorrow, Thursday, December 5th...at the Museum of the Confederacy from Noon - 3:00 p.m., and at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts from 3:00 p.m. - dusk.

JOIN us, and be a part of those taking a stand for our Confederate Veterans and the flags they fought and died beneath.

RETURN the flags!
RESTORE the honor!

Tommy Clinger
Virginia Flaggers

Va Flaggers UPCOMING EVENTS:
 
Thursday, December 5th:
Noon - 3:00 p.m. - Flagging the Museum of the Confederacy, 1201 E. Clay Street
3:00 p.m. - Dusk - Flagging the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, 200 N. Boulevard

Sunday, December 8th: 3:00 p.m. - Mechanicsville Christmas Parade, Downtown Mechanicsville, VA - The Va Flaggers are participating in the parade and invite everyone to join us.  We will have Flaggers walking, riding, and the Mechanized Cavalry is joining us again this year!  Bring your flag and enjoy the afternoon in a VERY Confederate friendly environment.  :)

Friday, January 18th - Saturday, January 19th, 2014:  Lee-Jackson State Holiday/Flagging/Memorial Events, Lexington, Va

Saturday, February 1st, 2014:  Susan will travel to Statesboro, GA to speak at the Lee-Jackson Banquet, held by the Ogeechee Rifles, Camp #941, SCV.  RJ's Restaurant, 454 South Main St. (US 301 S.) @ 6 pm for the meal, preliminaries @ 7 pm and the program immediately following.  Seating limited to 125.  Ticket information forthcoming at a later date.

Saturday, February 22nd, 2014:  Susan will be speaking at the February meeting of the Rev. Beverly Tucker Lacy Camp #2141, SCV, Fredericksburg, VA.  4:00 p.m., Perkins Restaurant, 10 Simpson Rd.

Tuesday, March 4th, 2014:  Susan will be speaking at the March meeting of the R.E Lee Camp #1589, SCV.   Dolce Vita Italian Restaurant, 2401 Colony Crossing Place, Midlothian, VA 23112. Dinner at 6:00 p.m. and meeting at 7:00 p.m.

April 19, 2014, 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.

Saturday, April 26th, 2014: Susan will be speaking at the Delaware Confederate Memorial Ceremony, Marvel Carriage Museum, 510 South Bedford Street, Georgetown, Delaware, Time: 11AM - 2PM

Contributions to the I-95 Memorial Battle Flag projects may be mailed to:
Va Flaggers
P.O. Box 547
Sandston VA 23150
Payable to Va Flaggers
or through PayPal:
http://www.vaflaggers.com/i95flagdonate.html

I-95 Battle Flag Memorial Project Honors Indiana Resident's Confederate Ancestors

We love to hear about the connections that these Memorial flags have to Confederate soldiers and their descendants, all across the U.S...

Letter received from an I-95Memorial Battle Flag Projects Supporter:

"Va Flaggers,
I wanted to say thank you for all you do and let you know that I am grateful that you are standing firm in honoring our Confederate Ancestors. Even though I live here in Indiana, my heart and spirit are with you and the cause to bring the Southern Cross back to the Pelham Chapel. My Great-Grandfather came to Indiana from Rome, Georgia in 1904, and I have found over twenty ancestors who fought in the war for Southern Independence. I'm sending you a donation for the I-95 flag in their memory...
Edwin Morrison 4X Great-Grandfather, 4th Reg. Georgia Cavalry, Co. C
Edwin Hanson, 3X Great-Grandfather, 40th Georgia Infantry, Co. C
Napolean B. Landers, 3X Great Grandfather, 36th Georgia Infantry,Co K
Elisha Casey, 3X Grand Grandfather, 9th Bat. Georgia Artillery,Co A, E
William J. Shiflet, 3X Great Grand Uncle, 38th Georgia Infantry, Co F
Eli Pinson Landers, 3X Great Grand Uncle, 16th Georgia Infantry, Co H

Deo Vindice
Kevin S."



Contributions to the I-95 Battle Flag project may be mailed to
Va Flaggers
P.O. Box 547
Sandston VA 23150

Payable to Va Flaggers

or through PayPal:
http://www.vaflaggers.com/i95flagdonate.html

  
Flag of  The 12th Georgia:
"Part of Brig. Gen. Isaac Trimble's brigade, the 12th Georgia advanced over the rock-strewn battlefield down towards the Confederate left. Trimble's Brigade was to extend the Confederate left late on the evening of August 28, 1862. Despite making several charges, Trimble's Brigade was unable to break the tough Union line that faced them on the Brawner Farm. This battle flag flew with the 12th Georgia at Second Manassas. A distinctive tribute to the color bearers who were killed carrying the flag at the Battle of Sharpsburg was added later."*

*"The Flags of Second Manassas" - The Civil War Trust -
 http://www.civilwar.org/battlefields/secondmanassas/second-manassas-history-articles/the-flags-of-second-manassas.html