Va Flaggers: THIRD (SURPRISE!) Memorial Battle Flag Raised in Lexington, Va Today

This afternoon, we were able to get back up to Lexington, and complete the installation of the THIRD (SURPRISE!) Memorial Battle Flag installed since Lee-Jackson Day earlier this year.  :)

While this flag is not quite the size and stature of the previous flags installed, it is likely to have just as much, if not more impact, due to its PRIME location.

We are thrilled to announce that a pole was installed today, and flag raised on private property INSIDE the city of Lexington, IN THE DOWNTOWN DISTRICT, located within the block between the Visitor Center of Lexington, and City of Lexington City Hall! 

We would like to once again, thank all of you who so generously supported us, and made it possible to have not just TWO flags in Lexington, BUT THREE (so far)!

LEST WE FORGET!

Susan Hathaway
The Virginia Flaggers

Va Flaggers Update: Charlottesville Braces for a Confederate Flag/Smoke & Mirrors Continues at W&L

"News" report on proposed Memorial Battle Flag in Charlottesville

http://www.c-ville.com/red-flag-group-plans-hoist-confederate-flag/#.VR0_1uHYo4O

"City Councilor Kristin Szakos, who has suggested it might be time to get rid of statues of Lee and Jackson in downtown parks, said she finds it "petty" that the Flaggers want to put up a flagpole here "because they're not from Charlottesville. Why they care, I don't know."

Because WE (the Va Flaggers) are not "from Charlottesville"????...says the woman who is FROM....Long Island, NEW YORK.

Meanwhile, back in Lexington, we wanted to share this photo of the new I-81 flag majestic in splendor in our Shenandoah Valley with the Blue Ridge as a backdrop!

...and this video of the flag on the day of the raising, with photography from Judy Smith Photography and Tredegar DroneWorks.  Absolutely breathtaking...! 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RfToh0yB3mU&feature=youtu.be

...and a few photos from the ceremony, with special thanks to the Rev. Dr. and Mrs. Herman White, who came from North Carolina to join us and speak to those gathered. 

 

When we arrived, skies were gray, temperatures were in the 30's and, snow actually began to fall just as we started the dedication.  However, just a few minutes after the flag was raised, the snow stopped, the clouds moved out, and bright sunshine filled the sky, allowing us the opportunity to take the wonderful photographs we have shared with you.

 

Thanks to all who gathered to attend the ceremony, and to each of the hundreds of supporters who made it possible.

Never passing up an opportunity to forward the colors in Lexington, the Va Flaggers headed to Washington & Lee University after raising the I-81 Battle Flag.

Although the weather was cold and blustery, foot traffic was brisk, and we had many opportunities to talk with students, alumni, and parents.

A perfect ending to a GLORIOUS and very Confederate day in Lexington.

More smoke and mirrors out of Washington & Lee University: 

http://www.roanoke.com/news/virginia/lee-chapel-to-reopen-next-week-at-w-l/article_0327e865-df3d-5581-a996-0d18bb510b9f.html

In the article,

"The flag display is in keeping with actions taken by W&L last year after a group of law students complained that such tributes to the Confederacy were offensive to minority students. At the time, university President Kenneth Ruscio said replica flags in the building were being removed because they were not presented in an educational matter.

But Ruscio's announcement left room for displays of genuinely historic flags such as the one to be included in the "Lee in the Field" exhibit. For years, that flag was one of the originals that hung near the "Recumbent Lee" statue in the chapel.

Other battle flags, particularly those with historic connections to W&L and the Lexington area, are planned for future exhibits."

Once again, W&L would have the public, students, and alumni believe that the decision to forcibly remove the replica ANV Battle Flags from the LEE Chapel mausoleum was somehow related to the project to restore and display the original battle flags and that President Ruscio was involved in that project.  This is blatantly FALSE.

The restoration project was part of an agreement between the UDC, The Museum formerly known as the Museum of the Confederacy, and the University. We have been able to secure a copy of this agreement, and while it does call for the removal of the original battle flags for restoration, and for the flags to be properly displayed in glass cases in the museum in the basement of the Chapel, it in NO WAY dictates that the reproduction flags, provided by the SCV as a replacement for the originals, must be removed from the Chapel.

The referenced agreement was made in 1997, long before Mr. Ruscio became President of the University, and yet they expect us to believe that it just so happens that they decided to take the reproduction flags out of the Chapel in July of 2014, as part of a new agreement with the Museum formerly known as the Museum of the Confederacy, not to appease "The Committee".  Do not be fooled by this nonsense.  The authentic flags were removed for restoration and proper display, as they should have been, and special replica flags were made to be displayed in their place. 

The replica flags were removed in July of 2014 for ONE REASON...to appease the demands of SIX agitators from the W&L Law School.

Grayson Jennings
Va Flaggers

Va Flaggers Highway Memorial Battle Flags Update

LEXINGTON: 

I-81 FLAG:  In the week leading up to  Lee-Jackson Day in January, the ground at the I-81 site was too wet for the installation of the 80' ft. pole that was purchased.  The pole will sit high on a hill, and the ground must be completely dry to prevent the crane, needed to set the pole, from slipping.  Since that time, we experienced back to back to back winter storms that caused us to cancel two different scheduled installation dates.  There was still standing water at the site last week, but we are anticipating several days of sunshine and wind, and hope to install the pole next week.  If we are able to do so, we will have a flag raising/dedication at the site on Saturday, March 28th, at 10:00 a.m.  All are welcome/invited to attend.  Please stay tuned for updates later this week with confirmation of the pole installation and more details about the ceremony.

Jackson Farm Flag:  We have instituted a plan to keep an eye on wind forecasts, and thanks to the help of a local volunteer, are able to lower the flag when high winds move through.  Our final task at this site is lighting, which is planned for sometime later this spring.

Photo:  Lexington Memorial Battle Flag #1: Jackson Farm Flag on Rt 60 just East of Lexington City Limits, Courtesy of Tredegar DroneWorks.

FREDERICKSBURG:

Last month, we switched out the 20x30 flag that had become tattered for a new one.  The lighting is in place and operational at this site, and she is quite the topic of conversation, throughout the Commonwealth.

Savage's Station:  We are pleased with the new, heavier quality ANV installed at the Savage's Station site, and have received many positive comments from site visitors and local  residents.

CHESTER: 

The 15x15 ANV flag was showing signs of wear, and was switched out temporarily with a 10 x 15 AOT.  The flag was skilfully and beautifully repaired by Mrs. Judy Pierce of the Sally Tompkins Chapter, OCR, and is currently being cleaned.  We plan to switch it back out later this week.

We have scheduled a work day for the Chester site for Saturday, April 11, 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. where will be clearing debris, cutting brush and trees, and doing site work and general clean-up.  We welcome all assistance in this endeavor, including trucks, equipment, and skilled and unskilled labor.

CHARLOTTESVILLE:

We ran an advertisement in the Daily Progress in Charlottesville last week, asking for land to install a flag, and received several responses.  We will be evaluating the properties and meeting further with landowners in the coming weeks to determine the feasibility of placing flags at the site(s).

We are also in the process of finalizing details for a flag site that will be a joint project with the Army of Northern Virginia/Mechanized Cavalry.  In the meantime, we continue to receive inquiries for flag installations in locations across the Commonwealth, and requests for assistance raising flags in other states, as well, which we are trying to prioritize and schedule. 

Our own Judy Smith has produced a 8 1/2 x 11 flier of the ad that can be used to post on community boards and/or distribute at heritage organizations in Virginia, to help locate land for additional flag sites.  We have attached a copy (PDF).  Please help us spread the word and assist with the expansion of the Highway Memorial Battle Flags projects.

SITE AD FLIER.pdf
Thank you all for your generous support, encouragement and continued prayers.

Sincerely,
Susan Hathaway
Va Flaggers

Gifts to the Va Flaggers Battle Flag Projects can be mailed to:

Virginia Flaggers
P.O. Box 54
Sandston VA 23150

Or through PayPal here: http://www.vaflaggers.com/i95flagdonate.html

VaFlaggers: Lexington Update...Coundown 4 Days

Question received..."What flag should I bring?"

While all Confederate flags are welcome and appropriate, we suggest you consider carrying one of the flags that was banned from display on City flag stands, which included...

Robert E. Lee's headquarters flag
Unreconstructed Virginia State Flag
The Second National Flag (Stainless Banner)
The First National Flag (Stars & Bars)

...and, of course, the ANV battle flag, which represents Lee, Jackson, and all the men who served under them.

We will have a good supply of flags available. A minimum 8' pole is suggested for flagging.

Join us, as we "take it to the streets" to let the folks in Lexington and Washington & Lee University know that there are still many of us who honor Lee and Jackson and will not go away quietly.

We will flag all day Friday, participate in memorial services and the parade on Saturday, and flag Saturday afternoon/evening. We welcome all those interested in standing with us to attend Friday, Saturday, or both days.

Meet at Stonewall Jackson Cemetery Friday at 10:00 a.m, Saturday for details, a complete schedule, and more information. 

RETURN the flags!
RESTORE the honor!

*Photo design courtesy of Chief James Skelton.