I AM YOUR CONFEDERATE ANCESTOR

I Am Your Confederate Ancestor
By Trooper Jim DeArman, CSA
CO. B, 37th Texas Calvary(Terrell's)

I am your Confederate ancestor. Remember me?
When our country needed me, I answered the call.

Do not forget me!

I was willing and did give up everything,
Sacrificed all, for country and you.
I faced deprivation, starvation,
faced the winter in tattered uniforms,
marched for miles with no shoes.

In Northern POW camps, ill treatment was the norm,
intentionally withheld medical treatment, festering wounds,
allowed to freeze in the winter, and forced to endure sickness,
with hopes we would die.

I proudly fought under our flag,
for the constitutional republic we desired.
I rallied and faced an army that most of the time,
outnumbered us and was better equipped.

I gave my all and did my best, no sacrifice was to great.
No duty too small.

It was for you I did this, without expecting any reward.
I suffered horrible wounds, and watched the angle of death,
cut vast lines of men down.

I bled for you, soaking the earth. I died for you.

Our families heeded the call,
they suffered under the boot of the Union army,
sacrificing farms, homes, possessions, years of hardships we endured.

Will our self-sacrifice's and heroic deeds,
be forgotten and perish from your memory?

My blood consecrated the ground of our country.
I gave my life for our people and it's land.

I died a heroic death for our independence,
on the battlefields of Shiloh, Chickamauga, Gettysburg.

Behold our bodies laid out in long lines,
the indignity of buried like garbage in mass trenches.

Our faces changed, death reflected in our eyes,
we breathe not, forevermore.

Behold, our mothers, wives, family,
heads bowed down, silently grieving us who will never return.

Some buried forever in Yankee soil. Our friends choked with tears.

The burden of losing us, having to bury us, to entomb us.
We did not betray you!

Our muskets still by our side, ammo pouches empty,
We fought till the last man.

Just as our blood spilled out step by step,
We did all we could, every last man, never to rise.

Only when you forget us, do we truly die.
Only when you turn your back on us, are we truly gone.

Stand up for us!
Fight for us now!
For we carried your name, till death closed our eyes.

Do not let our sacrifice, die with us, our memory!

Raise the flag we fought for, wave it proudly from on high!

Are you ashamed of us, or too weak of heart to carry on?

The banner has been passed to you, do not let it fall or falter...
the battle is now yours.

Remember me... I did not shirk my duty.
Remember me, our bodies laid out in long lines.
But I can arise and live again.

But only through you!

Photo:   SCV Sesquicentennial Heritage Rally, February 25, 2012, Richmond, VA

Va Flaggers

Va Flaggers UPCOMING EVENTS:

Saturday, November 30th:
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

Thursday, December 5th:
Noon - 3:00 p.m.:  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

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!  Meet at the Mechanicsville Recreation Center parking lot by 12:30 to ride to the staging area, or meet at the staging area at 1:00.  http://www.mechanicsvillerotary.org/Assets/2013parade/2013paradestaging/2013%20staging%20area%27s.pdf   (We are in Division 2)  Bring your flag, a bag of candy, 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 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

VMFA TALKING POINTS MYTH DEBUNKED...MYTH #3!

Two years after the Va Flaggers began their campaign to RETURN the flags and RESTORE the honor to the Confederate Memorial Chapel , officials at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts (VMFA) are STILL offering the same talking points that they released then, all of which have been completely debunked and refuted. As we have in several meetings with Museum officials, we offer the facts here, for your information...

TALKING POINT MYTH #3:

VMFA: “confederate flags are displayed within the Chapel where their historical significance is interpreted by the Lee-Jackson Camp No. 1, Sons of Confederate Veterans.”

Va Flaggers: This is obviously a case of “selective” historical significance/accuracy, fabricated to justify the discriminatory act of removing the Confederate Battle Flags. How can you POSSIBLY have “historical significance” inside and “historical accuracy” outside if you claim that 74 years of a Confederate flag on the grounds and on the Confederate War Memorial DIDN’T happen, but green tin roofs, handicapped ramps, and manicured round brick flowerbeds DID?!?!

The photograph above clearly show that the flag pole on which the Confederate soldiers are hoisting the Confederate Battle Flag is the same pole that, until recently, sat on the Benedictine High School property. If the VMFA is truly interested in preserving historical accuracy, then the flag pole that was originally located on the grounds, and flew the Confederate Battle Flag daily, should be restored to its historically correct location on the grounds of Confederate Memorial Park.

VIRGINIA FLAGGERS CALL TO ACTION: Grab your rain gear and join the VA Flaggers TOMORROW afternoon, November 26th, 3:00 p.m. - Dusk, as we forward the colors and protest the removal of Confederate Battle Flags from the portico of the Confederate Memorial Chapel.

RETURN the flags!
RESTORE the honor!

Grayson Jennings
Va Flaggers

I Am Your Confederate Ancestor

I Am Your Confederate Ancestor
By Trooper Jim DeArman, CSA
CO. B, 37th Texas Calvary(Terrell's)

I am your Confederate ancestor. Remember me?
When our country needed me, I answered the call.

Do not forget me!

I was willing and did give up everything,
Sacrificed all, for country and you.
I faced deprivation, starvation,
faced the winter in tattered uniforms,
marched for miles with no shoes.

In Northern POW camps, ill treatment was the norm,
intentionally withheld medical treatment, festering wounds,
allowed to freeze in the winter, and forced to endure sickness,
with hopes we would die.

I proudly fought under our flag,
for the constitutional republic we desired.
I rallied and faced an army that most of the time,
outnumbered us and was better equipped.

I gave my all and did my best, no sacrifice was to great.
No duty too small.

It was for you I did this, without expecting any reward.
I suffered horrible wounds, and watched the angle of death,
cut vast lines of men down.

I bled for you, soaking the earth. I died for you.

Our families heeded the call,
they suffered under the boot of the Union army,
sacrificing farms, homes, possessions, years of hardships we endured.

Will our self-sacrifice's and heroic deeds,
be forgotten and perish from your memory?

My blood consecrated the ground of our country.
I gave my life for our people and it's land.

I died a heroic death for our independence,
on the battlefields of Shiloh, Chickamauga, Gettysburg.

Behold our bodies laid out in long lines,
the indignity of buried like garbage in mass trenches.

Our faces changed, death reflected in our eyes,
we breathe not, forevermore.

Behold, our mothers, wives, family,
heads bowed down, silently grieving us who will never return.

Some buried forever in Yankee soil. Our friends choked with tears.

The burden of losing us, having to bury us, to entomb us.
We did not betray you!

Our muskets still by our side, ammo pouches empty,
We fought till the last man.

Just as our blood spilled out step by step,
We did all we could, every last man, never to rise.

Only when you forget us, do we truly die.
Only when you turn your back on us, are we truly gone.

Stand up for us!
Fight for us now!
For we carried your name, till death closed our eyes.

Do not let our sacrifice, die with us, our memory!

Raise the flag we fought for, wave it proudly from on high!

Are you ashamed of us, or too weak of heart to carry on?

The banner has been passed to you, do not let it fall or falter...
the battle is now yours.

Remember me... I did not shirk my duty.
Remember me, our bodies laid out in long lines.
But I can arise and live again.

But only through you!

Photo:  SCV Sesquicentennial Heritage Rally, February 25, 2012, Richmond, VA

A photo and flag for the Alabama Division, Sons of Confederate Veterans

Va Flaggers Report from the Front Line...Thursday, November 21st, 2013:  

16 Flaggers on the Boulevard, forwarding the colors, protesting the desecration of the Confederate Memorial Chapel by the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts... and changing hearts and minds in the Capital of the Confederacy. 

I'm thinking that right about now... the VMFA is REALLY wishing they had left those two little 3x5 Battle Flags hanging on the Portico of the Chapel! ;)

The Third National displayed is one that flew over Jefferson Davis' grave site at Hollywood Cemetery.  It was presented to TriPp Lewis by the Jefferson Davis Memorial Committee, in appreciation for his outstanding efforts in helping to protect and preserve the Confederate graves, monuments, and flags at Hollywood Cemetery.   The flag is on its way to the Alabama Division, SCV headquarters, as a token of appreciation for their generous and steadfast support of the Va Flaggers and the TriPp Lewis Legal Defense Fund.  

God bless the men of the Alabama Divsion, SCV, and God bless the Flaggers!

RETURN the flags! RESTORE the honor!

Tommy Clinger
Va Flaggers

Confederate Capital evacuated again...this time by Scalawags...

The Va Flaggers are deeply disturbed to report that plans to liquidate the Museum of the Confederacy have, indeed, moved forward.

We learned last week that Waite Rawls' plan (as outlined in the internal memo which can be found here: (www.vaflaggers.com/moc2.pdf ) was approved by the Board of Trustees. We suspect he has been perfecting the spin he will put on the situation, and that an announcement will soon be forthcoming, most likely today.

In the memo, Rawls speaks of the "50 year transformation of MOC from shrine to modern, educational institution". No surprise here, as Mr. Rawls has repeatedly made attempts to remove the name "Confederacy" from the Museum, as reported here in 2007..

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2007/feb/20/20070220-103634-6891r/

He purports that the liquidation is necessary as it "solves ongoing financial problems." and "Pays off debt to White House Endowment, Farmers' Bank, First Union Bank". It seems that the legacy of our Confederate Ancestors has been hocked...and the memory and honor of our Confederate ancestors will be traded for 30 pieces of silver.

He admits that "Appomattox, while a 'mission' success, has not been enough of a financial success to bail out Richmond". One can only wonder how his obstinate, pc-driven refusal to fly a Confederate flag on the grounds, and the serious fall out as a result, factors into this part of the equation.

What the Va Flaggers DO NOT find in this document, is any mention of the MEN...the Confederate Soldiers whose honor and memory the women of the Ladies' Hollywood Memorial Association obtained the White House of the Confederacy and opened a museum there to forever memorialize our Confederate dead...

1892...RICHMOND — the theatre whereupon President Davis - acted his noblest part; Richmond, the head and heart of the Confederacy, the defense of which called forth the most brilliant exploits of Lee and Jackson — is the place of all others in the South where should be collected the records, memorials, and relics of the war.

Here only can be found all that belongs to the history of the Army of Northern Virginia. Here, in the White
House of the Confederacy, the women of Virginia have established a grand Memorial Hall, and they appeal to every man and woman in the South to join them in their efforts to rescue the fragments of individual heroism and endurance, fast floating away to oblivion, to gather in the tattered, rusty mementoes of our Lost Cause, and commit them to the keeping of the Confederate Memorial Literary Society now fully equipped to guard such treasures. Let the faded cap of the Lieutenant,* killed while leading a charge, be laid.

* Lieut. W. J. Sims, Company A, 23d Virginia Infantry. Killed Sharpsburg, September 17, 1862.

- Confederate Memorial Literary Society:  historiae et reliquiarum custodia: in memoriam sempiternam

From their website: "The Mission of the Museum and White House of the Confederacy is to serve as the preeminent world center for the display, study, interpretation, commemoration, and preservation of the history and artifacts of the Confederate States of America."

For those of you who may not be aware, the entities listed in the memo (attached) are The American Civil War Center at Historic Tredegar, The Virginia Historical Society, and the National Park Service.

The American Civil War Center at Historic Tredegar describes itself as "the nation's first museum to interpret the Civil War from Union, Confederate, and African American perspectives." While we have no issue with any organization interpreting the WBTS however they wish, for their purposes, ALL SOUTHERNERS should have a SERIOUS problem putting the artifacts and treasures that were donated by our Confederate ancestors and their descendants into their hands. OUR history needs to be interpreted by those who honor and respect our veterans, and our treasures protected by those who hold them dear.

These are the same folks who installed the Lincoln statue in Richmond, and refused to accept a Jefferson Davis statue for the grounds.

The Va Flaggers will continue to make a presence at the Museum in Richmond, keep our ears to the ground, and were thrilled to learn that as of TODAY a Confederate Flag is flying just a few feet from the Museum at Appomattox, on the same land where we gathered to protest the grand opening, thanks to Va Flagger Willie Wells and the Mechanized Cavalry.

Grayson Jennings
Va Flaggers

November Flaggings

Week #110 of Flagging the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts (VMFA) brought a mixed bag of weather for the Virginia Flaggers...

Saturday, November 9th was a beautiful, breezy and relatively warm November day. In all, a dozen Flaggers made their way to the Boulevard to protest the removal of Confederate Battle Flags from the portico of the Confederate Memorial Chapel, and spend time educating the public about our Confederate ancestors and the flags they fought and died beneath.

This is Meiriele, a 19 year old UVA student. One of our Flaggers reported: "I had a wonderful conversation with her and she was very receptive and had never heard the true history of our Flag. She was a very Sweet young lady and posed for this photo..."

Flaggers of all ages came to forward the colors. Pictured here are a proud Grandpa and two of his Grandchildren, learning what it means to stand and defend the good name of their Confederate ancestors:

Many good conversations were reported, and a VERY successful day on the Bouleavard, as once again, Confederate Flags filled the landscape in the Capital of the Confederacy.

By Tuesday night, a cold front had moved in and the Flaggers faced 40 degree temperatures, overcast skies, and a chilly breeze. Still, 8 Flaggers held the line. Traffic into the museum was almost non-existent, but the Flaggers made sure that the men of the Old Soldiers' home were not forgotten, as they forwarded their colors in their honor and memory.

 

 

More photos here: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.287349141390378.1073741973.186485551476738&type=1

CALL TO ACTION!

We need your help! PLEASE take a minute to make a phone call, or write an email. EVERY contact helps to keep the pressure on and lets museum officials know that we, the descendants of the the Confederate Veterans who lived and died on the grounds of the Old Soldiers' Home WILL NOT forget them, NOR will we forget the actions of the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts.

We are asking you to contact Stephen Bonadies, Deputy Director, this week. He can be reached by phone at (804) 340-5530 OR by email at stephen.bonadies@vmfa.museum. Politely ask him to honor American Veterans by returning the Confederate Battle Flags to the Confederate Memorial Chapel. Tell him to RETURN the flags and RESTORE the honor!

The Virginia Flaggers will be back out on the Boulevard THIS SATURDAY, November 16th, from 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. PLEASE consider joining us, or if you are unable to be there in person, take a moment to support the folks on the ground by sending an email or making a phone call!

RETURN the flags!
RESTORE the honor!

Grayson Jennings
Va Flaggers


 Va Flaggers UPCOMING EVENTS:

Saturday, November 16th: 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., Flagging the VMFA, 200 N. Boulevard, Richmond

Saturday, November 16th - Sunday, November 17th: Capital of the Confederacy Civil War Show, Richmond Raceway Complex. More details here: http://www.mkshows.com/cgi-bin/show_display.asp?57

Thursday, November 21st: 3:00 p.m. - Dusk, Flagging the VMFA, 200 N. Boulevard, Richmond

Saturday, November 23rd: Noon - 4:00 p.m., Flagging the VMFA, 200 N. Boulevard, Richmond

Tuesday, November 26th: 3:00 p.m - Dusk, Flagging the VMFA, 200 N. Boulevard, Richmond

Saturday, November 30th: Noon - 4:00 p.m., Flagging the VMFA, 200 N. Boulevard, Richmond

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.


Contributions to the I-95 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

VaFlaggers at the Capital of the Confederacy Civil War Show

The Va Flaggers will have a table at the Capital of the Confederacy Civil War Show, this weekend, at the Richmond Raceway Complex.

More details here:
http://www.mkshows.com/cgi-bin/show_display.asp?57

Please stop by and visit us!

Susan Hathaway
Va Flaggers

 Va Flaggers UPCOMING EVENTS:

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.



Contributions to the I-95 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

Excavator Stolen from RVA I-95 Battle Flag Memorial Site

Sometime between the morning of Thursday, October 31st and the morning of Friday, November 1st, an Hitachi excavator was stolen from the RVA I-95 Battle Flag Memorial Site in Chester, Virginia.  On September 28, the Va Flaggers raised a 15x15 Battle Flag on the site, to honor the memory of Confederate Soldiers who died defending Virginia in the War Between the States. 

The equipment, valued at $20,000 was an orange Hitachi EX 100, and had a few strips of red tape on the dented engine compartment door.  "Excellent Excavator" is also printed on the side of the cab. 



Evidence has been collected on the site, and the thieves apparently used a truck and trailer to steal the machinery. 

As Chesterfield police officers investigated this afternoon, nearby residents who support the project came out and volunteered to clean up the brush that was to be removed today.  They rolled up their sleeves and quickly completed the work.  The Virginia Flaggers are very thankful for their support and help, as well as the quick response from the Chesterfield County Police. 

This is a minor setback and will cause a brief delay in the scheduled completion of the project, which includes tree removal, lighting, and a security fence. 

Anyone with information on this crime is asked to call Chesterfield Police at (804) 748-1251.

PLEASE share this with all of your contacts so that everyone can help keep an eye out for the stolen equipment, bring the thieves to justice, and return the excavator to its rightful owner.

Grayson Jennings
Va Flaggers