Southern Artifacts Saved From The Auction Block

Gentlemen of the South Carolina Division Sons of Confederate Veterans I would like to share a good story with you today touting the benefits and value of a good communication system.  The purpose is to simply underscore the purpose of our Division gmail and operations platform.  Please understand, up front, I share this, not to focus on me as Division Commander, but rather the success brought about by the efforts of a strong communication method and a group of dedicated compatriots "working together" and responding with lightning speed to protect our Confederate heritage. Here is the brief story: This morning (Friday 11-8-13) I received an email from SC Division 5th Brigade Commander Wayne Jones in which he forwarded an email from Theresa and Jerry Pittman of North Augusta. Their email informed the Brigade Commander of an event in a North Carolina town that was auctioning 2 Southern Crosses of Honor. The auction was scheduled to take place on Saturday 11-9-13. As soon as I saw the email, I contacted North Carolina Division Commander, Tom Smith, who quickly responded back to me..... our conversation discussed the legal ramifications of selling funeral and cemetery items and he quickly learned that the NC Statutes were the same as those here in our State. Commander Smith called the Auction company and spoke with the owner who agreed to remove the Crosses from the auction but he would not disclose the individual who was placing them up for bid. Therefore, Commander Smith was left with the only viable alternative to contact the local Sheriff's Department.  Coordinating the effort required a number of able NC compatriots who were accessible and eager to involve their time and efforts to locate the persons responsible. So you all understand how quickly these events unfolded TODAY, here a timeline: 6:59 a.m. - I emailed Commander Smith 8:20 a.m. - Cmd Smith responds acknowledging my email 8:33 a.m. - Cmd Smith informs me he spoke to the auction company (agrees to pull them) 9:49 a.m. - Cmd Smith contacts local law enforcement 12:47p.m.- Cmd Smith emails me with the following message: Gentlemen,  Fri 11/8/2013 12:47 PM Thanks to communications between two divisions and especially within our division, the two Iron Crosses were confiscated up by the Chatham County Sheriff's Department a few minutes ago.  They will hold them for us.  All this took place within five hours or so start to finish.  I want to thank Commander Simpson of SC for him notifying me this morning and also all those on the Tarheel List that help gather info.  This is how it is suppose to work.  Never underestimate the importance of communications. Once again thanks to all! Tom Smith NC Division, Commanding In less than 6 hours, the crosses were recovered by law enforcement to be returned to the NC Division, SCV for proper and respectful handling and disposition. With that said, I underscore Commander Smith's final statement:  Never underestimate the importance of communications.......... ! I applaud the NC Division for this success and their dedicated spirit to protect our Heritage. -- Mark A. Simpson, Commander SOUTH CAROLINA DIVISION Sons of Confederate Veterans HP: 864-576-4561 Office: 864-576-1224 Mobile: 864-680-2514 SCDivCommander@gmail.com To you, Sons of Confederate Veterans, we will commit the vindication of the cause for which we fought. To your strength will be given the defense of the Confederate soldier's good name, the guardianship of his history, the emulation of his virtues, the perpetuation of those principles which he loved and which you love also, and those ideals which made him glorious and which you also cherish."