Wednesday, March 26, 2014

I-95 Memorial Battle Flag Chester Clean-Up Day POSTPONED

ATTENTION VOLUNTEERS AND SUPPORTERS!

The I-95 Memorial Battle Flag Chester Site Work Day scheduled for this Saturday has been POSTPONED, due to the sudden passing of the father of two of our Flaggers. The memorial service is scheduled for Saturday, and our Flagger family will be in attendance to support our brothers.

Please be in prayer for the Tate family as they walk through this difficult time.

Susan Hathaway
Va Flaggers



 

Monday, March 24, 2014

Va Flaggers Update 3-24-2014 - Forwarding the Colors

Although carrying our flags in protest is one of the most visible outward displays of our efforts, we also carry our flags in honor and memory of the Confederate soldier and in support of Memorials, Living Histories, Re-Enactments, and many other events.  It is part of our desire to bring the Confederate flag out of hiding and back into the public  .By doing so, we also have many opportunities to help educate the public as we are greeted with questions and engage in discussions with curious attendees.

We have had several such opportunities over the last week.

Last Saturday, the Edmund Rufin FireEaters Camp #3000 held a Grave Marker Dedication Service for Compatriot and Va Flagger Jim Tingle's ancestor at Hollywood Cemetery.  The Va Flaggers were honored to attend this service, where the Edmund Ruffins FireEater Color Guard presented the colors.  Compatriots and Va Flagger supporters Jeffrey and Tommy-Lee Newton, from Kenbridge, stood guard over the grave site.



FireEater Commander Darryl Starnes gave a moving tribute to Crprl Tingle, which included an historical account of his service to the CSA, and prayers of dedication.  He presented Mr. Tingle with a beautiful CBF in honor and memory of his ancestor.  The FireEater artillery crew fired a salute at the conclusion and Corporal William Tingle, Company D, 4th Va Volunteers' new tombstone was consecrated.



Immediately following the dedication, and prior to heading to the VMFA for flagging, the Va Flaggers drove across town to Shockoe Cemetery, to attend the dedication of new Grave Markers, erected by the Sally L Tompkins Chapter #2, Va Order of The Confederate Rose.  14 of the young girls who died in the Confederate Munitions explosion on Brown's Island are buried here, until now in unmarked graves.  The ladies of the OCR started a campaign and raised the necessary funds in less than a year to mark each grave.

The dedication service was well attended and the Edmund Ruffin FireEaters provided the Color Guard and Artillery Salute.  Congratulations to the Sally L Tompkins Chapter for a job well done and a beautiful service.  The Va Flaggers were honored to have supported the efforts of these hard working ladies and glad to be in attendance to honor the memory of these young girls of the Confederacy.

 Yesterday, several Va Flaggers forwarded the colors at the Ft. Clifton 150th Anniversary Heritage Day.  They enjoyed the events and displays, and spoke with participants and visitors.  Barry was invited to join McClanahan's Battery for a few volleys, and had a great time with Hugh Hall and his men. 



The Flaggers reported that the highlight of the event was attending the evening performance of "Soldiers in Gray" by Stan Clardy. 



The Va Flaggers are tired of the soldier's flag being vilified and are not ashamed to carry it in memory and honor of the Confederate soldier, whether it be to protest its forced removal, as in the case of the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts...or a memorial service on the Battle Fields at Sharpsburg... or any event in which the Confederate Soldier deserves recognition.

We are encouraged and inspired by the increasing number of people we see doing the same...and by campaigns such as the Georgia Division SCV's "Flags Across Georgia", whereby the Division is sponsoring new Interstate and roadside Battle Flag Memorials, assisting Brigades and Camps with their flag projects, and encouraging ALL of its membership to fly the Soldiers' flag or '56 Georgia on their own property, as memorials to our Confederate dead, a sign of solidarity, and a show of resistance to the continued and increasing attacks against our Heritage.  

 
Grayson Jennings
Va Flaggers
P.O. Box 547
Sandston VA 23150

Thursday, March 20, 2014

Va Flaggers Call To Action: PLEASE ACT TODAY!

The Va Flaggers had over 20 Flaggers out this past Saturday, wrapping the Boulevard with flags and Flaggers, including Flaggers who traveled from Luray, Kenbridge, and Urbanna! With a gorgeous day in Richmond, and many St. Patrick's Day events being held near the Boulevard, traffic was brisk and our Flaggers kept busy with conversations and many educational opportunities.




Photographer Judy Smith caught this shot from inside the VMFA, giving us a glimpse of what museum officials see from the building...



This week, professionally bound packets of information and a copy of a letter to Alex Nyerges, director of the Museum, restating our request and re-affirming our commitment to continue our efforts, were mailed to museum officials, members of the board of Directors, and local and State officials.

TOMORROW, Thursday, March 20th, the Board of Directors meets at the museum at 12:30. We are planning to have a presence on the grounds for the meeting, and are asking all who are able to join us to do so, and help us show museum Leadership that there are still MANY folks who care enough about the honor and valor of our Confederate Ancestors to stand in their defense.

We would also like to FLOOD THE PHONE LINES during the meeting, so we are asking you to PLEASE take a moment to support the troops on the ground and help with this offensive. CALL VMFA Administration anytime from NOON UNTIL 5:00 P.M. at (804) 340-1506 and tell them to do the right and honorable thing and return the Confederate Battle Flags to the Confederate Memorial Chapel on the grounds of Confederate Memorial Park. Even if you have called before, please take the time to make another call today. Call early...and often! Be polite, but firm in your request.

PLEASE pass this request on to any and all Confederates and friends who may be willing to join us in this most important endeavor!

RETURN the flags!
RESTORE the honor!

Tommy Clinger
Va Flaggers 











Va Flaggers: Additional Copies of Empire of the Owls Available

With the second I-95 Battle Flag project near completion, Bo Traywick has once again donated a case of books to the Va Flaggers. If you didn't get one the last time around, or would like to purchase additional books for gifts, please take this opportunity to support the Va Flaggers' I-95 Memorial Battle Flag Projects!

Va Flagger/Author H. V. "Bo" Traywick, Jr. has generously donated a case of his book "Empire of the Owls - reflections on the North's war against Southern secession" to the Va Flaggers. We will be offering the books for $20 each and ALL proceeds will go toward the I-95 Battle Flag Projects. Please consider purchasing this excellent book and supporting the Va Flaggers.

"This book will change your mind about everything you thought you knew about the War between the States. A reasoned, scholarly work, it is also a readable, gripping account of the war told by those who lived it. The dignified behavior of the Southerners defending their families comes through time and again. Noble sentiments of honor, duty and care of the defenseless are not lost in the desperation of war but elevated.

The book will make you cry. It will make you proud. It will also make you mad about a senseless war that killed 612,000 young men and caused horrible suffering that lasted for generations. But it is an important addition to the Civil War dialogue now, during the Sesquicentennial, because it allows the long-suppressed voices of the South (Virginia, in particular) to speak for themselves and challenge the version of history written by the victors." - Amazon Review http://www.empireoftheowls.com/

To purchase, send $20 to:

Va Flaggers
P.O. Box 547
Sandston VA 23150

Please note "Empire of the Owls" and include return address for shipping.

Susan Hathaway
Va Flaggers

Friday, March 14, 2014

VA FLAGGERS CALL TO ACTION!

Tomorrow, Saturday, March 15th is a BIG day in the Capital of the Confederacy...

10:00 a.m. - Start the day off with a tombstone dedication ceremony at Hollywood Cemetery. Dedication of marker for Corp. Willia
m Tingle, Co. D, 4th Va Volunteers, CSA. Died June 11, 1864. Corp. Tingle's Great-Grandson, Jim Tingle is a Virginia Flagger and a member of the Edmund Ruffin Fire Eaters S.C.V. Camp 3000, who will be conducting the ceremony. Open to the public.



Noon - 6:00 p.m. - FLAGGING THE VMFA Virginia Museum of Fine Arts Join the Va Flaggers for Day 15 of OPERATION BLACK FLAG. Tomorrow promises to be a beautiful day, and we need to line the sidewalk with Flaggers and flags! Come when you can, and stay as long as you can. JOIN US and be a part of those who are taking a stand against the VMFA and their dishonoring of AMERICAN Veterans and desecration of the Confederate Memorial Chapel. If you can't be there, we ask you to please take a moment to support the troops on the ground! This week, we are asking you to contact STEPHEN BONADIES, Collections and Facilities Management at the VMFA. Contact Mr. Bonadies by email: stephen.bonadies@vmfa.museum, or by phone at 804.340.1524. Tell him it is time to end the nonsense and return the Confederate Battle Flags to the Confederate Memorial Chapel, and restore the honor to the Confederate Veterans who lived and died on the grounds of the Old Soldier's Home.


1:00 p.m. - Shockoe Cemetery - Tombstone Dedication Ceremony. The Order of the Confederate Rose Captain Sally l. Tompkins #2 tombstone dedication ceremony for fourteen of the young ladies who were laid to rest in Shockoe Cemetery in unmarked graves. The Sally l. Tompkins chapter has worked hard to raise enough money for these young ladies to each have their own personal grave marker! These young ladies were just a few who worked for the Confederate States munitions factory on Brown's Island, who lost their lives on March 13, 1863.


Tired of seeing our Heritage attacked and our Veterans treated as subjects of derision? Then DO something about it. Stand and be counted at any or all of these events tomorrow, show the City of Richmond that there are still those who refuse to allow our heroes to be forgotten, and support those making a difference in RVA.


TriPp Lewis, Va Flaggers

Wednesday, March 12, 2014

Va Flaggers VMFA Update 3-11-2014

The first week of our Black Flag Campaign was, by all accounts, a phenomenal success!!

Despite COLD temperatures and a brisk wind, 10 Flaggers made their way to the Boulevard on Thursday, March 6th.  While the frigid weather kept pedestrian traffic down, there was plenty of vehicle traffic, with many honks of support and appreciation!  The Flaggers have been reporting for several weeks now that they are experiencing more and more positive feedback recently, as new signs and new 24' flags bring our efforts to the VMFA's front door.




Our resident protestor returned for the third time, and one of the Flaggers who occupied the position nearest to him at the Chapel, filed the following report:

"I showed up a little early - in battle gear and war bonnet - because you said we had hoisted the Black Flag. The cold NE wind was whipping, and I displayed the combination Virginia/Southern Cross that I dearly love very prominently to those who happened to drive by. A little before 1500 hours the Tricycle Twerp (TT) was seen approaching on his noble steed. He posted by the sign post where he had posted before and set up his Psy-Ops. As Cool J - or whoever - was set blasting away for my edification, I went over and said "howdy" and shook his hand and said I was glad he could make it, and wished him a nice afternoon, and told him how much we appreciated his support.

Anyhow, I had not been there very long, and shortly after TT appeared, Miss Judy, Jim, Marvin, Jimmy, Tom, et al. all began showing up. As per SOP, we deployed around the perimeter in groups of two and three - Jim, Marvin, Judy and me holding down HQ. Nobody could hear the gangsta rap very clearly, as he was not too close and the good nor'easter was blowing it across the road for the edification of the neighborhood over there. We all were having a big ol' time, as always, and not paying him any attention.

We got some "toots" - one with the "we're number one" salute, and another that a Black woman crossing the street told us that it was for her, not us - but the rest all for the Flaggers! We had one pretty young lady who stopped and asked us all about what was going on. She was an immigrant from someplace in New York and was very interested and very positive and very supportive and asked if she could take our picture. Notwithstanding our modesty, we agreed to let her take our picture.

At precisely 1552 hours, the Tricycle Twerp (TT) saddled up and made a "tactical withdrawal" - or perhaps as Gen. McClellan after the Seven Days' Battles might have called it, a "change of base." As he peddled off into the sunset - overcast by cloud cover - I thought I heard him say something about the "sunny beaches," so I inferred that he might be heading for Florida on his tricycle, since Virginia Beach is not yet open for the summer season.

Anyhow, we held HG and the sidewalk in front of the VMFA. Marvin at one point went into the VMFA for something, and said the flags out front were lookin' mighty fine from the coffee shop!

Always do, IMHOP, from any point of view."



 

A great afternoon, indeed, but nothing prepared us for Saturday, March 8th...

BEAUTIFUL weather in the Capital of the Confederacy...  Sunny, high 60's and breezy, and 20 FLAGGERS gathered, the largest group we have had this year!  With so many troops, we were able to spread down the sidewalk and around to cover almost the entire block!!!  The glimpse of spring like weather meant traffic on the Boulevard was heavy all afternoon, with great conversations such as this one with a group of college students (left) and first time young flaggers (right). 

 
Our protestors returned, with new signs...but after failing to get any attention or reaction, headed back from whence they came, long before our Flaggers abandoned their posts.




Flaggers reported that conversations were so plenty and foot traffic so brisk that there were often folks waiting for a chance to speak with them!  LOTS of positive honks and almost 100% support for our efforts. 

"Operation Black Flag" continues tomorrow, Tuesday, March 11th, when we will be Flagging the VMFA 3:00 p.m. - Dusk.  JOIN US and be a part of those who are taking a stand against the VMFA and their dishonoring of AMERICAN Veterans and desecration of the Confederate Memorial Chapel.  If you can't be there, we ask you to please take a moment to support the troops on the ground!  This week, we are asking you to contact STEPHEN BONADIES, Collections and Facilities Management at the VMFA.  Contact Mr. Bonadies by email:  stephen.bonadies@vmfa.museum, or by phone at 804.340.1524Tell him it is time to end the nonsense and return the Confederate Battle Flags to the Confederate Memorial Chapel, and restore the honor to the Confederate Veterans who lived and died on the grounds of the Old Soldier's Home.

RETURN the flags!
RESTORE the honor!

 
Tommy Clinger
Va Flaggers

Wednesday, March 5, 2014

Va Flaggers Update: VMFA - Raising the Black Flag

Chilly, but clear, last Tuesday, February 25th saw a dozen Flaggers gather on the Boulevard.  We were able to spread the line to wrap around to the entrance of the VMFA, and our signs and 20' flags brought many honks of approval and support! 



For the first time since we began Flagging the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts in October, 2011, we were confronted by "counter protestors". This young man parked his trike in the midst of the Flaggers, and proceeded to blast profanity-laced music from his MP3 player.  It didn't take long for him to realize that we were not going to give an inch, or give him any attention, and he soon tired and left.   


 Saturday, March 1st, 10 Flaggers spent the afternoon on the Boulevard.  We were thrilled to have several out of town flaggers stand with us, including Va Flagger friend and supporter Joe Clark, Alabama Division SCV South East Brigade Commander.  After helping out at Hollywood Cemetery, Cmndr. Clark spent the afternoon forwarding the colors and holding the line.  What an amazing show of support!  Thank you, Sir, for taking time out of your trip to Richmond to join the Flaggers and stand with us!  God bless the boys from Alabama! 
  

It was a beautiful day, with another visit from the protestor, this time drawing the attention of VMFA security, but again, proving futile in his attempts to drive away the Flaggers.  Despite the interruption, Flaggers were able to talk with museum visitors, tourists, and residents, distributing literature, educating them about the situation with the Chapel, changing hearts and minds, and HAVING FUN! 



Virginia Flaggers Call to Action!

Flagging the VMFA Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, TODAY, Thursday, March 6, 3:00 pm - Dusk, 200 N. Boulevard.

March marks the start of our 30th month of Flagging the VMFA, in response to the forced remov
al of Confederate Battle Flags from the portico of the Confederate Memorial Chapel in Richmond. The length of time has served to strengthen our resolve, as our numbers and support continues to grow. Instead of surrender, our Flaggers are determined to RAISE THE BLACK FLAG, and we are stepping up our efforts this month.

PLEASE consider joining us! If you have ever thought about getting down to the Boulevard, NOW IS THE TIME! There is plenty of room on the sidewalk, and plenty of experienced Flaggers ready and willing to show you the ropes!

If you can't make it tomorrow, PLEASE support the Va Flaggers by calling Museum Director Alex Nyerges at (804) 340-1504 or writing via email: alex.nyerges@vmfa.museum or fax: (804) 340-1502 and ask Mr. Nyerges to return the Confederate Battle Flags to the Confederate Memorial Chapel... and restore the honor to the Confederate Veterans who lived and died on the grounds of the Old Solder's Home.

Won't you take a few minutes to support those who stand twice a week, every week, in protest of those who would dishonor our Confederate Veterans, and in honor and memory of our gallant ancestors?

RETURN the flags!
RESTORE the honor!











Grayson  Jennings
Va Flaggers
P.O. Box 547
Sandston VA 23150