Wednesday, April 30, 2014

Virginia Flaggers W&L Update

Many thanks to all of you who have taken the time to send a letter to the Washington and Lee administration.  We appreciate those of you who have shared your communications with us.  This one was particularly poignant, and the author has granted us permission to share it, in the hopes it will inspire others to take pen in hand...
Washington & Lee University
202 Washington Hall
Lexington, VA 24450


Re: Demands of "The Committee"

Dear Sirs and Madam:

I, like many others, have been following the media accounts of the demands made by a small group of W&L Law students who refer to themselves as "The Committee". I feel that it is incumbent upon me, and others who feel as I do, to write and urge you, in the strongest terms possible, to resist any inclination to capitulate to these specious demands, whose sole intent is to disparage the memory of General Lee, defile his final resting place and besmirch the reputation of the institution whose very existence he is largely responsible for securing.

These students should be reminded that had it not been for the courage and foresight of the trustees of Washington College to appeal to General Lee, in the late summer of 1865, to accept the presidency of that destitute school, and had he not accepted that position and begun to raise the funds required to maintain and improve that facility with alacrity, their latter-day condemnation of the man and the institution would be moot.

Now to address the specifics of the "demands" themselves:

1. This has already been addressed by the university.

2. The term "Neo-Confederate" is sometimes employed as a pejorative description, or ad hominem slur, for people who take a sympathetic view of southern history and for southerners in general, even when they do not belong to or espouse the ideas of a "Neo-Confederate" organization. That is the case here. The people who gather in Lexington for the Lee-Jackson Day parade and memorial service in Lee Chapel do so solely to honor the memory and service of two great Virginians, not to espouse or advance any agenda. Even a casual observer cannot help but note the solemnity and reverence displayed during the memorial service. Whether "The Committee" likes it or not, Lee Chapel is an icon, a beacon that draws people from all walks of life and from all parts of the country for this one hour service, once a year. For the demands of seven individuals to deny hundreds the right to assemble for an annual, peaceful event would be an injustice of significant magnitude.

3. To the best of my knowledge, the only Confederate flags displayed on campus, at least publicly, are those around the recumbent statue of Lee in the Chapel. Those are regimental battle flags representing some of the regiments that Lee commanded in the Army of Northern Virginia. They are soldiers' flags, not, as many would have you believe, symbolic of anything other than the brotherhood of valor that comprised that gallant body of men, Lee's "boys". Those flags are there representing the devotion and respect of those veterans for their old commander, "Marse Robert". To remove them, for any reason, would border on sacrilege.

4. I am unaware of just what "The Committee" means by the participation of the University in chattel slavery. I do know that many people and institutions, including some of the oldest and most prominent families in New England and any number of great financial institutions, carry a far greater burden of guilt for chattel slavery than does Washington and Lee University, yet I hear no hue and cry for apologies from them. I do know, that like many other Virginians, slaveholding and non-slaveholding, the faculty and students of Washington College rallied to the call to defend Virginia from a pending Northern invasion. Co. I, the Liberty Hall Volunteers of the 4th Virginia Infantry Regiment of the famed Stonewall Brigade was made up almost exclusively of those students and their professors. And they sacrificed mightily; only a pitiful remnant of nine men from that company remained standing at Appomattox.

So far as denouncing Lee for his participation in chattel slavery, it is apparent that these students know little of nothing of General Lee's involvement with the "peculiar institution". If they were conversant with it, they would know that Lee, owning no slaves himself, had, as the executor of his father-in-law's estate, manumitted all of the Custis slaves by 1863. As far as the University "denouncing Lee", one cannot escape the irony inherent in that "demand". Indeed! Denounce the man, who more than any other single individual, is responsible for these young people having this institution to attend.

In closing, I urge you not to surrender to the emotion-charged and misleading rhetoric of a tiny minority of the student body, .4 of 1% of the total enrollment. I also ask you to ponder why, in the case of several individuals who are second and third year law students, it took them so long to become "offended". To cave in to their outrageous "demands", couched in the most divisive, disrespectful and racially evocative terms imaginable, would do a disservice to the University, the majority of the enrolled students and the Commonwealth of Virginia."

W. A. Dennison, Bristol, VA


If you haven't written a letter yet, what are you waiting for?


Grayson Jennings
Virginia Flaggers
P.O. Box 547
Sandston VA 23150
info@vaflaggers.com 


Tuesday, April 29, 2014

Virginia Flagger Update: Delaware Grays

On Saturday, April 26th, I traveled to Georgetown, DE to the site of the Delaware Grays' Confederate monument, to give the keynote address at their annual Confederate Memorial Day Service.

While there, I learned that several counties in Delaware were strongly pro-Southern. When the war broke out, militias were forming in these counties, drilling and ready to head South to fight. When the U.S. Govt found out about the activities, they sent troops into Delaware. Anyone found to be a Southern Sympathizer was imprisoned at Ft. Delaware and the troops disbanded and most went South individually or in small groups to join the Confederate Army.

These men, along with any civilians who were imprisoned for speaking out for the South, are now honored on a monument that the Delaware Grays, Camp#2068, and The United Daughters of the Confederacy, Caleb Ross Chapter #2635 has erected.




Extensive research to identify these individuals continues today, and names are added as they are researched and verified.

I was moved to realize that these men, unlike their Southern compatriots who returned home to be treated as heroes, were actually forced to hide their service, were shunned and treated with contempt, in many cases after returning to their homes in Delaware. Thanks to these fine sons and daughters, they are now being honored, and will forever be remembered! More info here: http://www.descv.org/

One of the highlights was learning about and seeing a replica of the 15 star Confederate Battle Flag of General Lloyd Tighman of Maryland and Kentucky (killed at Champions Hill) The original recently sold at auction for $85,000. I had never heard of this flag and LOVED it's unique design. More info here: http://www.jeffbridgman.com/inventory/index.php?page=out&id=1561  




I had the pleasure of meeting the President of the Caleb Ross Chapter #2068, UDC and she treated my daughter and I to a wonderful lunch. Caleb Ross was the son of the Pro-Southern Governor of Delaware. Caleb was 18 when he joined the 9th Virginia Calvary Company H of the Confederate Army on June 22, 1861. Caleb contracted typhoid fever and died at Big Springs, Virginia on September 17, 1861 before seeing any action in the War.

The ceremony was beautiful and a moving tribute to Ross and all of the other Delaware Confederates honored there that day.
 


The Delaware Grays presented me with a Certificate of Appreciation, and donated a BEAUTIFUL John Paul Strain print to the Va Flaggers. The print, "The Spring Campaign" Buffalo Gap, VA, 1862... is beautifully framed and matted, and is available by auction here, with all proceeds going to the Va Flaggers!

http://r.ebay.com/SeFsBQ 



MANY, MANY thanks to Commander Plummer and the men of the Delaware Grays for the wonderful hospitality, warm welcome, great supper and fellowship, and your outstanding and generous support of the Va Flaggers! God bless you today, and always!

Susan Hathaway

Virginia Flaggers
P.O. Box 547
Sandston VA 23150
info@vaflaggers.com

Wednesday, April 23, 2014

Va Flaggers Call To Action: Defend the Honor of Robert E. Lee!


"Blessed be the Lord my strength, which teacheth my hands to war and my fingers to fight"
Psalm 144:1 A Psalm of David, and a favorite of General Robert Edward Lee.
As many of you are probably aware, a group of 7 minority Law students at Washington and Lee University have issued a list of demands to W&L University officials, which include the removal of Confederate Battle Flags from the LEE Chapel, prohibiting the Sons of Confederate Veterans from holding a Memorial Service in the LEE Chapel on the Lee-Jackson holiday, and denouncing the character of Robert E. Lee.

You can read more here:
http://www.roanoke.com/news/w-l-students-demand-removal-of-confederate-flags-decry-view/article_45941b3e-c5db-11e3-8e04-001a4bcf6878.html


W&L President Kenneth Ruscio responds here:
http://www.thenews-gazette.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1280%3Aruscio-responds-to-law-students-letter&catid=77%3Abreaking-news&Itemid=395


At the end of this blog post, you will find a link to a copy (.jpg) of the original letter from "The Committee", as the group is calling themselves.

Also included is a link to a letter (.pdf) we recently sent, by email and certified mail, to W&L President Kenneth Ruscio, Provost Daniel Wubah, and Board members.

Obviously, we feel very strongly that University officials MUST NOT capitulate in any way to these demands as any compromise would lead to more demands and more desecration.

We are calling on every person who has any interest in defending the honor of Robert E. Lee and/or has a vested interest in Washington & Lee University, to take a moment to write a letter and/or send an email to the officials we have listed below, for your reference and convenience.  Please counter each "demand", and thoughtfully and courteously ask them to stand in defense of General Lee and against those who would dishonor him and the University by association.

We also ask your help in forwarding this email to anyone who may be willing to help, and especially to Washington & Lee alumni and donors.

General Lee valiantly took up his sword in defense of Virginia; won't you take a few minutes to pen a letter in his defense?

Grayson Jennings
Virginia Flaggers

P.O. Box 547
Sandston VA 23150
info@vaflaggers.com


University Contact Information:

President Mr. Kenneth Ruscio Washington and Lee University 204 West Washington Street Lexington, Virginia 24450 (540) 458-8700 president@wlu.edu

Provost Daniel Wubah Washington and Lee University Washington Hall 214 Lexington, Virginia 24450 (540) 458-8418 dwubah@wlu.edu

BOARD OF TRUSTEES Secretary of the University: James D. Farrar, Jr. Washington & Lee University 203 Washington Hall Lexington, VA 24450 (540) 458-8465 jdfarrar@wlu.edu

Executive Assistant to the Board of Trustees: Katherine Brinkley Washington & Lee University 202 Washington Hall Lexington, VA 24450

(540) 458-8417 kbrinkley@wlu.edu

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Friday, April 11, 2014

Va Flaggers: Confederate Memorial Day Service, Oakwood Cemetery, May 10, 2014

*"We are wont to make of history a chronicle of obvious effect and not of vital cause. We write of battles fought and not battles forced. We tell the story of our great sires' deeds and leave untold the reasons for their acts. We measure in the common scales success by what we see achieved and not by what right though unachieved. We think a cause lost with a field and see no victor but a Grant at every Appomattox.*

* From such a narrow view as this, these bones cry out. The men interred about us here had died in vain if death had been defeat. They live because defeat meant victory!*

* What were those ideals consecrated at First Manassas, exalted at Chancellorsville, sealed and accepted at Appomattox? These ancient oaks whisper them; these gray coats attest them; these women who for fifty years have kept this sacred day bear witness to them; these children's faces unwittingly reflect them:*

* That government is the choice of the governed, a sacred right that only tyranny can overrule; That it is for the governed to change their government when its powers are misused; That those who give may take again and shape to better use the creature of their hands; That in defense of freedom, self may not be reckoned or sacrifice be counted; That duty to righteous principle is duty to God!*

Dr. Douglas Southall Freeman,
50th Oakwood Cemetery Memorial Day Ceremony
May 10, 1916


*SATURDAY, MAY 10, 2014*:   Revival of the Annual Confederate Memorial Day
Service at Oakwood Cemetery

10:30 a.m. - Procession through the cemetery
11:00 a.m. - Memorial Service at the Confederate Monument

*KEYNOTE SPEAKER*:  Wayne Jones of North Augusta, SC will be our guest speaker. Wayne is best known for his extensive research and study on the Life and Times of Major General James Ewell Brown Stuart. An active SCV member, he currently serves as 5th Brigade Commander in the SC Division, and is a candidate for ANV Commander.

http://www.thegeneralandhislady.com/Home_Page.html

PLEASE share this email with others, and visit the Facebook event page

https://www.facebook.com/events/851702414846864/?ref=br_tf

Join us as we revive what was a grand tradition in Richmond and honor the thousands of Confederate dead who rest at Oakwood. We are looking for folks in period attire to participate in the procession through the cemetery. ALL ARE WELCOME!

Contact us at info@vaflaggers.com if you have any questions or would like to present a wreath on behalf of your organization.



Virginia Flaggers
P.O. Box 547
Sandston VA 23150
info@vaflaggers.com

Va Flaggers Update: "Rap Protestor" on the Boulevard

Over the past several weeks, one young man has shown up on Saturdays at the
Virginia Museum of Fine Arts.  He rides up on a tricycle, parks it near our
folks, and then proceeds to blast profanity-laced rap music very loudly,
for women, children, Museum visitors, tourists and residents to hear,

He even managed to get a little attention on a few ultra liberal media
sites when he put out the call for others to join him in his "Anti-
Confederate Rap Battle" to protest the Va Flaggers.

http://rvanews.com/etc/virginia-flagger-counter-protest/110681

The first afternoon of his announced "rally", our Flaggers were at a
Memorial Service for the father of one of our Flaggers, but we sent someone
out to see how many folks had shown up to support his "cause".

Result:  Rain 1...Anti-Confederate Rappers 0


In conversations with this young man, who calls himself "Goad", he claims
that the reason he is protesting is because "y'all let white supremacists
in your group".  When asked where he got that kind of (utterly false)
information, he is quick to quote a certain Anti-Confederate Blogger and
Arizona professor as his source.

Apparently, the old saying that if you tell a lie long enough, you
eventually can find one nut to believe it, is true.

It appears that this blogger's failure at having stopped the I-95 Battle
Flag (and boy, did he try!), and our refusal to pack up and quit in the
face of repeated lies, slander, and personal attacks has really put him
into a tailspin, and he is grasping at straws so flimsy that he has to
resort to this kind of tactic.

The vile music that this young man is blasting on the sidewalk is profanity
laced, with repeated use of the "F" word, and many, many other disgusting
lyrics. It is offensive to the ladies of our group, and painful for our men to
have to endure...and yet we will.  We will stand and we will outlast this
misguided young man, just as we will outlast the Anti-Confederate Bloggers
and their few followers....because we have good and right on our side...
and they have ignorance and hate.

We have the memory and honor of Confederate Soldiers to defend... and the
blood of these brave men coursing through our veins.

They have ignorance and hate.

In the meantime, GREAT week for the Flaggers on the Boulevard...report
coming soon!  :)

RETURN the flags!
RESTORE the honor!

Tommy Clinger
Virginia Flaggers
P.O. Box 547
Sandston VA 23150
info@vaflaggers.com

Saturday, April 5, 2014

Army of Northern Virginia Battle Flag Returns to Chester I-95 Memorial Battle Flag Site

The Army of Northern Virginia Battle Flag was raised again this morning at the Chester I-95 Flag Site! Confederate History and Heritage Month is alive and well in Virginia, despite the lack of official recognition from our Carpetbagger Governor. Our Confederate Veterans are honored and remembered this month... and EVERY DAY in Virginia...
for as long as we have breath!


Susan Hathaway
Virginia Flaggers


 

Friday, April 4, 2014

VMFA Update 4-3-2014

March went out like a LION, as we wrapped up a month of new and stepped up tactics in our ongoing battle against the VMFA and their forced removal of Confederate flags from the portico of the Confederate Memorial Chapel.

The highlight was a 6 hour flagging on Thursday, March 20th, that coincided with a Board of Trustees meeting at the VMFA a total of over 30 FLAGGERS gave of their time that day to make sure that every board member got a personal reminder of our presence.



With Flaggers surrounding the entire city block, we had a visible presence from every vantage point in the museum.



The weather was beautiful, and there were many opportunities to speak with residents and museum visitors, as well. During the afternoon, several bus loads of school children were loaded and unloaded, and traffic was heavy throughout the day.
 



We finished out the month with regular weekly flaggings, and are thrilled at the new faces and new supporters that join us each week, and the new pressure that is being applied with every passing day that we remain steadfast in our vigil. 



Each and every flagging offers us new and almost always rewarding opportunities to educate citizens and change hearts and minds. The young VCU student on the left was very skeptical when he approached us, but after hearing why were out there, admitted that he agreed that our Cause was just!  The young lady on the right has a blog and wants to return and interview us in more depth.  What a GREAT day in Dixie!  :)



After a MOST successful, multi-faceted assault in March, our efforts will continue without pause in April.  While we will turn our attention toward the proper recognition of Confederate History and Heritage Month in RVA, we will continue or vigil on the Boulevard, with our next flagging scheduled for this SATURDAY, April 5th, Noon - 4:00 p.m.

JOIN US, and kick off Confederate History and Heritage month by standing for our Confederate Veterans, and speaking for those who no longer have a voice.
RETURN the flags!
RESTORE the honor!
Grayson Jennings