7th Roadside Memorial Battle Flag Raised, Southerland, Dinwiddie County, VA

This afternoon, in support of "National Raise Your Battle Flag Day", the Virginia Flaggers and the Army of Northern Virginia Mechanized Cavalry raised a 10x15 Battle Flag on a 50' pole on Rt. 460 at Southerland, Dinwiddie County, Virginia. 

This was the 7th Roadside Memorial Battle Flag installed by the Virginia Flaggers since September, 2013...and the first joint venture for the organizations, involving many hours of volunteer work and support from both groups.  The flag was raised in a small, private ceremony on private property along the busy highway. The ceremony was interrupted constantly by the honks and shouts of approval as cars drove by.  Many motorists pulled over to take photos during the ceremony as well.

The site is near the location of the Battle of Southerland Station, where 600 Confederate soldiers were killed and wounded, and 1,000 captured on April 2, 1865, the same day that Confederate General A.P. Hill was killed. 

The Battle Flag will fly as a living breathing memorial to those men, and all of our Confederate soldiers and Veterans, and was dedicated...

To the glory of God and in memory and honor of our Confederate heroes. 1861-1865.

"The world shall yet decide in truth's clear far- off light

That the soldiers who wore the gray, and died with Lee, were in the right."

June 28th, 2015

The Virginia Flaggers would like to thank Willie Wells and the men of the Army of Northern Virginia Mechanized Cavalry for their assistance, support, and co-operation with this project, and all of those whose generous gifts made it possible. 

#RaiseYourBattleFlag

Virginia Flaggers

P.O. Box 547

Sandston VA 23150

info@vaflaggers.com

Gov. McAuliffe Wages War on SCV License Places

https://governor.virginia.gov/newsroom/newsarticle?articleId=11649

The Virginia Flaggers strongly condemn the announcement by Governor Terry McAuliffe that he plans to attempt to eliminate the Sons of Confederate Veterans state sponsored vanity license plate, because it includes an image of the Battle Flag of the Army of Northern Virginia. 

The license plates were made available at the request of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, and have been in use with no issues for twelve years.  The organization is made up of citizens of the Commonwealth who can trace their lineage directly to an ancestor who was a Veteran of the Confederate Armed Forces.  Members work, live, and worship every day alongside men and women of every race, creed, and color, and there have been no reported incidents of anyone being harmed by the license plates, or any disturbances caused by their use.

Sadly, is likely to change almost immediately with Governor McAuliffe's decision to stir up this controversy, and his insistence on exploiting the tragedy in South Carolina for his own political aspirations, which will serve to divide the Commonwealth, and create strife and dissension where none existed.  The governor's pandering follows a wave of similar attacks against the history and heritage of the Confederacy that have cropped up across the South in the wake of the announcement by South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley to completely reverse her pre-election position, and suddenly support removal of the Battle flag of the Army of Northern Virginia from the soldiers' memorial in Columbia.

Since that announcement, emails, phone calls, and messages of support for the Virginia Flaggers, along with offers of assistance and have been pouring in, and we are in the process of mobilizing to meet what looks like will be a huge demand for flag installations in the coming days, weeks, and months.  Across the South, her citizens see these continued attacks as an organized attempt to eradicate our history and heritage, and we are ready to stand and defend the honor of our Veterans who paid the ultimate sacrifice for their country. 

We call on the Governor to retract this divisive proposal, end the discriminatory assault against Virginia's rich Confederate history and heritage, and allow all of the Commonwealth's citizens the opportunity to honor their ancestors, heritage, and celebrate their culture without prejudice 

http://wtvr.com/2015/06/23/virginia-flaggers-response-to-confederate-flag-order/

Grayson Jennings

Va Flaggers

P.O. Box 547

Sandston VA 23150

info@vaflaggers.com

Message from Past Commander-In-Chief Michael Given

 Please read and share...

"Compatriots and friends of fairness—your help is needed!

The shooting that took place this past Wednesday night at the Emanuel AME Church in Charleston is horrific on every level. The perpetrator is obviously insane to have committed such a cold-hearted crime as this. Apparently his stated motives were to set off a race war, the same heinous hopes of the infamous murderer—Charles Manson.

Thankfully, Manson failed at his quest and I pray that Dylann Roof will also fail. But honestly, I’m not encouraged. The level of vitriolic hatred that is being displayed, in the name of these tragic murders, is beyond disturbing. Steel your heart and google #takedowntheflag . Then type #takedowntheflag into a search on Facebook and then on Instagram. Some of the images on these sites literally knocked me on my heels due to their level of hate.

We cannot allow the Roof’s and Manson’s of the world to destroy the affection that is vital between peoples of varying backgrounds and heritages in our country. But as we sit by, morning for the loss of innocent lives in Charleston, that very nightmare of destruction could be rapidly becoming a reality.

For one hundred and fifty years, Southerners have been maligned by the victors of an unnecessary war. In recent years some headway has been made in educating our fellow countrymen as to the true facts of our shared history. But even though Confederate history and the symbols of the South had no connection whatsoever with the senseless crime in question, a loud cry for punitive reparations (first) demanding the removal of the Confederate Battle Flag from the Confederate monument at the Statehouse in Columbia, SC.

Why must you and I be punished for the actions of a madman? Our Confederate ancestors would have condemned this man and his actions as we do today. We share in the shock and anger over this outrage with all good people throughout the world. Why then must WE abandon OUR ancestors and allow the further slander of their good names.

How does sacrificing the memory of antebellum Americans ease the pain caused by this one reprehensible miscreant. It does not. It only causes more pain and will certainly cause problems while solving none.

What can be done?

Pray for the families that lost their loved ones in this terrible incident.

Contact the legislators in South Carolina and let them know that you and your family must not be punished for the misdeeds of a maniac. Let them know that your heritage is not to be used as tribute or ransom for any reason.

Time is of the essence. Contact the legislators in South Carolina today and everyday this week and next week if necessary. Have each member of your family and your friends contact the legislators in South Carolina and tell them to honour the compromise that took the flag from atop the Statehouse dome in 2000 and placed it at the Confederate monument. The masses are calling for blood. There has been too much blood already. It must stop!

To email all senators:
http://www.scstatehouse.gov/email.php?T=M&C=SMEMBERS
To email all House member States:
http://www.scstatehouse.gov/email.php?T=M&C=HMEMBERS

Email all the members of the Senate and the House. Then call and ask to speak to your Representative and your Senator and tell them to protect all history and to punish no one’s heritage.
Telephone numbers to reach the legislators:
South Carolina House of Representatives
Blatt Building
803-212-6986
South Carolina Senate
Clerk
803-212-6200

Get to work on this mission and stay on it. So far the legislators are being overwhelmed with demands to remove the flag from the Statehouse grounds. This is only their first stop on a reckless train to rewrite history and destroy all the gains we have made in dispelling the myths and lies of our ancestors. The attack will be broad and deep. Your heritage is not to blame for these murders and perpetuating more hatred will not erase the crime. Your ancestors stood by us during their struggle for liberty; we will stand by them during this struggle for fairness.

Commander-in-Chief Barrow has sent a similar alert and request. We need every man, woman and child on this effort.

Thank you for your attention to this important matter. I am,

Respectfully yours,
Michael Givens
Past Commander-in-Chief
Sons of Confederate Veterans

On the Charleston Tragedy

"The Virginia Flaggers join the entire country in mourning the loss of the 9 men and women killed in the massacre at the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, SC on Wednesday evening. We offer our deepest sympathies to those who lost loved ones and friends in the tragedy, and pledge to continue to pray for comfort and peace for those who are grieving after the senseless act of violence.

We condemn any and all such acts of savagery, and call for swift and severe punishment for anyone who is found guilty of having any part in this heinous crime.

At the same time, we are deeply saddened to watch the disgusting attempts by some media representatives, self-appointed “historians”, activists, and even elected officials to exploit this national tragedy by using it for political purposes, and as an excuse to advance their hate-filled agenda, by calling for an all-out war on the Confederate flag and our Confederate heritage, beginning with the removal of the flag from a Veterans’ memorial on the Capitol grounds in South Carolina, over 100 miles away. These blatant attempts to incite violence and further divide the citizens of this country are despicable, and The Virginia Flaggers call on all those of Southern ancestry to resist any and all endeavors to use this tragedy as a platform to erase our history and attack the honor of our Confederate veterans.

We have received several requests for interviews by national media outlets, but at this time, feel strongly that media attention, and that of the entire country, should be focused on honoring the memory of those who were killed, supporting their families and friends in their time of grief, and securing swift and severe punishment for those responsible. For this reason, and for a brief time, we will observe a moratorium on public interviews or media appearances on this subject, as a courtesy to the victims’ loved ones, and in reverence to the memory of those whose lives were cut short in the shooting."

VaFlaggers to Remain Standing

The Va Flaggers have been flagging the VMFA Virginia Museum of Fine Arts for almost four years...with one goal and purpose...to protest the removal of Confederate Battle Flags from the Confederate Battle Memorial Chapel.

Apparently worked into a frenzy by the news media, activists, attention-seeking politicians, and race-baiters, who have shamelessly used the tragedy in Charleston to advance their hate-filled agenda, these local folks came to the Boulevard today to "counter protest" holding signs that read everything from "end white supremacy" to "black lives matter", none of which, have anything to do with our flags, or the cause for which we stand.

We were certainly not surprised, considering the climate of hate and misplaced blame that has been created by these folks.

We obviously support their right to assemble peacefully and make their "points", and hope they appreciate that adding folks to the sidewalk, even if they are not working with us, draws more attention to our Cause, and increases the spotlight on the VMFA...and all the while we don't have to do anything except continue to stand, which we will do.

It's the least we can do, considering the sacrifice the Confederate Veterans made for the citizens of the Commonwealth.

GOD BLESS the Flaggers who held the line today!

RETURN the flags!
RESTORE the honor!

Va Flaggers Response to the Va Division DEC SCV Resolution Condemning the Virginia Flaggers and the ANV/Mechanized Cavalry

  
As many of you can imagine, we have been flooded with phone calls, emails, and messages since the Va Division SCV Executive Council released a resolution condemning the Virginia Flaggers, the ANV-Mechanized Cavalry, and “all other organizations purporting to represent Southern History and the Confederate Soldier” late Monday afternoon. We have been absolutely overwhelmed by the outpouring of encouragement, kindness and affirmation we have received, and want to share that we are humbled and thankful for the steadfast support of so many good folks.

It has been suggested that there is something akin to another “civil war” occurring in Virginia, or that the Va Flaggers are constantly at odds with the SCV and other heritage groups. This could not be farther from the truth. The fact of the matter is that we enjoy widespread support across the Commonwealth, and work closely with many SCV Camps and members on heritage defense and Interstate Battle Flag projects, memorials, ceremonies, and educational efforts. The victory last fall in Danville and the 6 roadside flags that have been raised in the Commonwealth over the past 18 months are evidence of successful collaborations with many heritage organizations, and there are many, many more examples... and with God's grace and protection, many more to come.

This condemnation was the act of a handful of men, and as far as we have been able to ascertain, without any sort of consensus or approval from the general membership. 

How are we going to respond? The same way we respond to any other unwarranted attack -- by pressing forward and staying focused on what we see as our calling. standing for our Confederate ancestors, and against those who would dishonor their memory and desecrate their flags, memorials and monuments. As far as we are concerned, the condemnation by the Va Division DEC has no effect on us or our work. 

The Va Division, SCV leadership has not supported us since we began protesting the Museum of the Confederacy in the spring of 2012. This very public announcement served to let others know what we have known for quite some time, but will otherwise change very little as regards our day to day operations, and does not change our focus or direction. We remain resolute in our determination to continue the good work started, without reference to those who seem intent on creating public strife and division. 

We welcome like-minded individuals who wish to join us and/or support our efforts, regardless of other affiliations, and hold no ill will toward those who choose not to.
God bless ALL who, with humble and pure hearts, seek to honor the Confederate soldier, in whatever manner they so choose, and GOD SAVE THE SOUTH!

Susan Hathaway
Va Flaggers

Old Soldiers' Home Confederate Veteran Profile -- Richard Elam

The Virginia Flaggers are pleased to announce the latest release in a series of profiles of Confederate Veterans with connections to the Old Soldiers' Home, on the grounds of Confederate Memorial Park in Richmond, VA.

For over nearly four years, the Virginia Flaggers have forwarded the colors, twice a week, on the sidewalk outside of the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts (VMFA) after museum officials forced the removal of Confederate Battle Flags from the portico of the Confederate Memorial Chapel.

One cannot truly appreciate the history and significance of the Chapel, nor the degree of desecration committed when museum leadership, driven by their own misguided prejudice and ignorance, removed the flags, without knowing the (personal) stories of the men who built the Chapel, worshiped in it every Sunday, and gathered each time the bell tolled, to pay their respects to and honor their comrades, as one by one, the Veterans passed over to eternity.

For many of our Flaggers, this fight is about more than just defending our Heritage against yet another unwarranted and unprovoked attack. For those whose veins course with the blood of the men who actually had a connection to the Old Soldiers'Home, it is personal:

Richard J. Elam was born in 1848 in Chesterfield County, Virginia, and grew up on the family plantation in the Skinquarter section of that county. On May 24, 1861, at the tender age of 12 years old, he joined the Confederate Army along with his older cousin Joseph A. Elam. He was mustered into the 6th Virginia Infantry's Co. K (the "Alstadt Grays," "Alstadt" being German for "Old Town"). Richard's muster roll cards say he was 18 at the time, but, like many other recruits before and since the War Between the States, he likely lied about his age so he could join. It is worth noting that since the Elams were neighbors of the family of 6th VA Captain E.H. Flournoy, Richard's fellow soldiers probably knew about his age.

Young Richard would see a lot of action during this great conflict. He was there on edge of the Crater with the rest of Co. K, 6th VA on July 30,1864 when the Union Army attempted to break the Confederate line in Petersburg, Virginia. On October 28, 1864 he was captured by the Union Army at Petersburg. His Prisoner of War card reads, "Got lost in the woods and ran into our lines."

He was transported to City Point and, from there, to the infamous prison at Point Lookout, Maryland, where he remained until he was paroled March 28, 1865 at Aikens Landing, Virginia, in a rather rare late-war prisoner exchange.

Being just 12 years old at the beginning of the war and just 16 when it ended, Richard was never educated. He would never see the inside of the school building. He would never marry, and 1874-1881 records show that he was a bed keeper/manager of a boarding house at 612 Byrd Street in the former Confederate capital city of Richmond.

The discrepancies that followed Richard through the war seem to have continued into his later life. He was accepted into the Soldiers' Home of R.E. Lee Camp No. 1, Confederate Veterans, on January 12, 1903 at age 62. He stated at the time that he'd enlisted in the Confederate army at the age of 48”or, at least, that's what his Soldiers' Home papers say. It is more likely that, given his lack of education, he didn't understand the difference between his age and the year he was born (1848) when being interviewed.

Richard was dismissed from the home on August 14, 1903, possibly because they thought he was lying about his service. However, he was readmitted on August 8, 1905 at age 68. By that time, he was partially blind. He lived on the property for 18 years and died on May 8, 1924 at 8:30 p.m. He is buried in Hollywood Cemetery.

Over 150 years after a 12 year old boy went off to war to defend the Commonwealth, his cousin , TriPp Lewis, is determined that his sacrifice, courage and devotion to God and country will not be forgotten, as he forwards the Colors in his memory, and in protest of those who have desecrated the Confederate Memorial Chapel and the hallowed ground on which it rests, and dishonored our gallant Confederate Veterans.

RETURN the flags!
RESTORE the honor!

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

Jefferson Davis Memorial Service and Other Recent Events

On Saturday, the Virginia Flaggers started the day by attending the Jefferson Davis Memorial Service at Hollywood Cemetery in Richmond.  We handed out stick flags to attendees, and joined others in presenting a wreath to honor the Confederacy's only President on the anniversary of his birth.

  

Those in attendance reported beautiful weather, and enjoyed an inspiring and spirit-filled keynote address by Rev. Dr. Herman White.

 

A cannon salute from Knibb's Battery closed the service...

Enjoy this video of a drone's eye view of the salute, courtesy of our friends at Tredegar DroneWorks...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQZ097VfR5w

Following the ceremony, we continued the commemoration by gathering on the Boulevard to protest the desecration of the Confederate Memorial Chapel by the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts (VMFA).

45th Annual Florida Division SCV Reunion

Hello, friends!

I want to begin by apologizing for the absence of reports and updates of late. Like many of you, April and May have been busy ones for us, with Confederate History and Heritage month in April, Memorial Day activities in May, and our ongoing Heritage Defense and roadside Battle Flag projects.  Typically, we like to send 1 or 2 updates a week.  I have received several requests for and inquiries about missing reports and updates, so I will be getting those out over the next few days, and ask for your patience as we play" catch up".

 

This weekend, I had the pleasure and honor of attending the 45^th annual Florida Division, SCV Reunion in Ocala, Florida.  I was thrilled to see many old friends, and enjoyed meeting and making new ones!  It was my privilege, in 2012, to attend the raising of the World's Largest Third National Confederate Flag in Tampa.  That experience was one of the catalysts that inspired me to begin the flag raising efforts that led to the 6 new Battle Flags that have been raised in Virginia since, so I was very excited to receive the invitation to attend and address the assembly.

I got to see and learn about this battle flag from the Old Soldiers Home in Jacksonville! It hung over the mantle in the parlor, and is believed to have been used to drape the coffins of the old soldiers for their funerals.  Many thanks to Commander Hart of the Kirby-Smith Camp #1209 http://www.scv-kirby-smith.org/confederateHOME.htm

I would like to offer my special thanks to Ms. Sylvia Darby, and all of the ladies of the Florida Society, Order of Confederate Rose for their invitation to join them for their meeting.  What a wonderful group of ladies!  It was a real privilege to meet so many of my sister Roses and get a chance to be a part of your convention.  These ladies adjourned their meeting early, and special provisions were made so that they could join the SCV Reunion and offer their support when I was scheduled to speak.

 

I delivered my remarks on Saturday and was overwhelmed by the outpouring of encouragement and appreciation from the members of the Florida Division, SCV.  I spent much of the day chatting with folks, discussing heritage defense issues, BIG flags, catching up with old friends and getting to know some new ones.

I wish to thank Florida Division Commander Jim Davis, Michael Herring of the Jubal Early Camp, and all those involved for the kind invitation, warm hospitality, and generous support!

While in the area, I was able to pay my respects at the Confederate monument in Ocala...

"The South reveres her Washington, Jefferson, Madison, Monroe, Andrew Jackson and others who laid the foundations of our grand republic. She honors her Lee, Stonewall Jackson, Stuart, Johnston, Forrest, and every brave son who fought to preserve OUR LIBERTIES, guaranteed by the fathers, under the constitution." Marion County Confederate Monument, Ocala, FL
 

...the Confederate Monument in Gainesville...

...and had the opportunity to visit the graves of some of our Veterans in Evergreen Cemetery in Gainesville, and plant flags and leave remembrance coins in their memory and honor.

Many thanks to David Tatum for supplying the remembrance coins, and to the Augusta Jane Evans Wilson Chapter #2063, UDC for the gift of the battle flags for placement!

Sincerely,

Susan Hathaway

Virginia Flaggers

P.O. Box 547

Sandston VA 23150

info@vaflaggers.com