Va Flaggers: Lexington Interstate Flag Update and Call to Action!

The town of Lexington, Virginia has effectively turned its back on its rich Confederate heritage and history.  In September of 2011, Lexington City Council, under the leadership of Mayor Mimi Elrod, voted to ban ALL flags from display on city light pole flag stands (with the exception of the US, State, and non-existent City flags) rather than allow the flags of Lee and Jackson to fly for several days leading up to and during the Lee-Jackson Day state holiday, after the complaint of ONE citizen and to appease ONE Russian Professor at Washington and Lee University.  In July of 2014, Washington and Lee University President Kenneth Ruscio bowed to the demands of SIX Washington and Lee University Law Students who threatened "civil disobedience" if the period correct battle flags were not stripped from the chamber in which the "Recumbent Lee" monument resides, in the LEE Chapel on campus, where General Robert E Lee and his family are interred.  Washington & Lee officials capitulated to their extortion-like threats, even though the flags were placed in the mausoleum in 1930 and could only be seen when entering the chamber to pay respects to the beloved General.  It seems that the town of Lexington, and the leadership at Washington & Lee University have chosen to dishonor the men who, when called by the Commonwealth, gave everything to defend her.  Once eager to have the honor and privilege of being the final resting place of two of the greatest men who ever lived, the town of Lexington, Va is now the subject of scorn and an ongoing boycott by thousands of angry Southerners, who would otherwise flock to the once great city to pay their respects. 

The Virginia Flaggers are determined to ensure that Lee and Jackson receive the honor and respect they so rightfully deserve.  Our efforts in Lexington, and the overwhelming support we receive there, have proven that the majority of the people in town, and especially in the surrounding counties, wholeheartedly DISAGREE with the actions taken by these recreant individuals, and support our efforts to return the flags and restore the honor.  With this in mind, we placed an ad in a local Lexington newspaper, looking for land to erect an Interstate Memorial Battle Flag in or near Lexington. We were thrilled with the number and quality of responses we received.

Last week, we were finally able to get out to Lexington and finalize a deal on not just one, but TWO locations for Memorial Battle Flags in Lexington…one, high on a beautiful, clear, highly visible hill on Interstate 81 just outside of Lexington, and another just outside of town.

Thanks to the generosity of our supporters, including over $1,500 from the men of several camps in the Texas SCV,  and many other contributions received over the last several months, we currently have the funding in place for the purchase and installation of a 50' pole and battle flag on the site on the edge of town, AND a 50' pole and flag on I-81. 

HOWEVER, with an additional $4,000, we could order a new 80' pole for the I-81 site, which we believe is what we REALLY need for the biggest impact and most effective statement.  A 20x30 flag for the I-81 site is already paid for and in hand, thanks in large part to generous gifts from the men of the Sgt William A. Hamby Camp # 1750, SCV, Crossville, TN, and the Admiral Raphael Semmes Camp #1321, SCV, Oxford, MI.

When we let our folks know of this development last weekend, two of our own Flaggers (who have asked to remain anonymous) stepped up with a challenge to match any and all contributions received over the next few weeks, up to $1,000 each!  Thank to their commitment and sacrifice, we are already halfway to our goal! 

This means that if we can raise just $2,000 in additional contributions before December 31^st, we will be able to order the 80' pole and have both sites complete with Battle Flags flying in the Virginia breeze for the Lee-Jackson Day state holiday on Friday, January 16^th, and Lee-Jackson Day celebration in Lexington on Saturday, January 17^th, 2015.

If you would like to assist with this project, please make checks payable to "The Virginia Flaggers" and mail to:

P.O. Box 547

Sandston VA 23150

You may also contribute through PayPal here:

http://www.vaflaggers.com/i95flagdonate.html 

If possible, please let us know if you are planning to participate, so that we can track progress and make plans to get the larger pole on order ASAP.  

Thank you all for your continued support!

Grayson Jennings

Va Flaggers

UPCOMING EVENTS:

Thursday, January 2nd:  Flagging the VMFA, 200 N. Boulevard, 2:00 pm - 6:00 pm

Friday, January 16 - Saturday, January 17th, 2015: Lee-Jackson Day, Lexington, VA.  We will be flagging Lexington and Washington & Lee all day Friday, and flagging and participating in the Lee-Jackson activities scheduled for Saturday, including memorial services for Lee and Jackson, and a parade through town.  THIS YEAR NEEDS TO BE OUR BIGGEST SHOWING EVER!  MAKE PLANS TO JOIN US... take a stand for Lee and Jackson in the town that has chosen to dishonor their memory and let them know that there are those of us who will not forget what City and W&L officials have done.

Follow our blog:  http://vaflaggers.blogspot.com/

Find us on FaceBook:  https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Virginia-Flaggers/378823865585630

Follow us on Twitter:  @thevaflaggers

Virginia Flaggers

P.O. Box 547

Sandston VA 23150

info@vaflaggers.com

Va Flaggers: Old Soldiers' Home Veterans Profile: Rev. Moses Drury Hoge

The Virginia Flaggers are pleased to announce the release of the third 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 three 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...

Moses Drury Hoge — Confederate Chaplain
       
Moses Drury Hoge may not have been a soldier, but his importance to the veterans of the R.E. Lee Camp, No. 1 Soldiers' Home cannot be denied.

Born in 1818 in the oldest building at Hampden Sydney College in Prince Edward County, Virginia, he was the son of  college president Moses Hoge, who moved his family to Ohio so he could study there when his son was 2. After his father's death, young Moses, then 15, was sent to live with an uncle in North Carolina. He went on to attend Hampden Sydney and graduated as class valedictorian, becoming the assistant to Dr. Plumer in Richmond's First Presbyterian Church after college. Though the two became lifelong friends, Moses decided to start a separate church, Second Presbyterian on Fifth Street, in 1845. That same year, he discovered that the U.S. Army in Mexico needed chaplains, so he immediately volunteered.

In 1860 the Hoges moved to a house at the corner of Fifth and Main Streets, where they entertained many distinguished visitors, including Jefferson Davis, Alexander Stephens, Robert E. Lee, Joseph Johnston, Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson, and more.

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Rev. Moses Hoge was an abolitionist who supported secession from the Union and the radical Republicans who controlled it. At the start of the War Between the States, Gov. John Letcher appointed him to the Council of Chaplains. Moses preached to over 100,000 men during the war and was a favorite of the Stonewall Brigade. Cpl. James P. Smith wrote, ".... but the prayer, with far-reaching distinctness and with appeal and tenderness went up through the open skies to the God of so many fathers and mothers, to the great captain of our salvation, and went down into the hearts of those boys in gray, and tears were on many faces and strong desires in many hearts."

After the Seven Days Battles, Gen. Jackson himself went to Second Presbyterian to hear Moses preach. Small wonder that Confederate Vice President Alexander Stephens appointed Moses "Honorary Chaplain" of the Confederate Congress. He opened congressional sessions with prayer 44 times,  far more than any other minister. He also accompanied President Davis and his cabinet during the evacuation of Richmond. In Danville, he found Secretary of State Benjamin walking the streets without a room and took him to his own lodging.  

By May, 1865 Moses returned to Richmond, depressed. "To me it seems that our overthrow is the worst thing that could have happened for the South and the worst thing that could have happened for the North, and for the cause of constitutional freedom and of religion on this continent," he wrote. "But the Lord hath prepared his throne in the heavens and his kingdom ruleth overall ..." Later, Moses admitted to having lost $30,000-$40,000 during the war.     

​            

Moses returned to his job as pastor of Second Presbyterian church but was not forgotten by the Confederate veterans. On May 8, 1887, he dedicated the Confederate Memorial Chapel at the Robert E. Lee Camp No.1 Soldiers Home. He preached there often, also speaking at the dedications of the Lee and Jackson monuments. When Moses was 80, he was injured in a streetcar accident but never recovered. He passed away on January 6, 1898 and was buried in Hollywood Cemetery across from the 10th President of the United States, John Tyler.




Over 100 years after Moses Drury Hoge entered his eternal rest, his young cousin 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
Va Flaggers

UPCOMING EVENTS:

Thursday, January 2nd:  Flagging the VMFA, 200 N. Boulevard, 2:00 pm - 6:00 pm

Friday, January 16 - Saturday, January 17th, 2015: Lee-Jackson Day, Lexington, VA.  We will be flagging Lexington and Washington & Lee all day Friday, and flagging and participating in the Lee-Jackson activities scheduled for Saturday, including memorial services for Lee and Jackson, and a parade through town.  THIS YEAR NEEDS TO BE OUR BIGGEST SHOWING EVER!  MAKE PLANS TO JOIN US... take a stand for Lee and Jackson in the town that has chosen to dishonor their memory and let them know that there are those of us who will not forget what City and W&L officials have done.

Follow our blog:  http://vaflaggers.blogspot.com/

Find us on FaceBook:  https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Virginia-Flaggers/378823865585630

Follow us on Twitter:  @thevaflaggers

Virginia Flaggers

P.O. Box 547

Sandston VA 23150

info@vaflaggers.com

This is an email update of the Virginia Flaggers.  If you would like to be removed from the email list, please just send us an email requesting to be removed. 

Letter to the Museum of the Confederacy (MOC)

December 12, 2014 S. Waite Rawls III Co-Chief Executive Officer The American Civil War Museum 490 Tredegar Street Richmond, Virginia 23219 Dear Mr. Rawls: Thank you for your letter of December 5, 2014. As a twenty year Army officer I will get straight to the heart of the matter. First, I have been a member of the Museum of the Confederacy (MOC) for as long as I can recall. Like all true Southerners, I was attracted to the MOC because it reflected the point of view of the Southern Confederacy for which my direct ancestors fought to establish. Indeed, over the years, I have encouraged many family members and friends to either join the MOC or to support the MOC. I can name four people that joined as a result of my efforts. In the vast ocean of political correctness associated with the causes and meaning of the War, the MOC alone stood tall and erect as a beacon of historical truth and Southern pride. Because the MOC was not afraid to tell our story or to buckle to critics of the Southern perspective, it made me very proud to be a Southerner. The MOC told about our Southern story and our Southern story alone. It was more than a collection of our relics, it was sacred ground. That is why the MOC was founded (yes I do realize that the name MOC was not the original name). Indeed, it is a fact that the founders did not intend to tell the Union side or preserve the Union relics! Second, as an informed member of the MOC (and the Sons of Confederate Veterans) I heard many rumors about what might be in store for the MOC (from the first scares about changing the name). Nevertheless, I remained objective and continued my membership even in the face of the shocking news delivered last year that by 2015, the Museum of the Confederacy would be no more. Third, fearing for the worst - that the MOC would be drowned in the aforementioned ocean of political correctness - this past summer I took my two boys to the MOC to instill in them the same sense of pride for our Southern heritage that the founders of the MOC intended. Of course, I also wanted them to experience the MOC before it was swept away. I was also curious to see for myself what would become of our Southern relics and our perspective of the War. Thus, we also went to the museum on Tredegar Street. What a contrast! In the best light, the so-called "new" civil war museum is like all the other "civil war" museums in the nation - a false brief for the "evil Southerner" and the "righteous Northerner." This message is not only overt but subliminal. Indeed, the so-called new logo says it all. The silhouette of the Southern soldier (red is the general color for the conservative South) is superimposed by a black civilian that is then superimposed by a Northern female civilian (blue is the general color for the North)! This is not a museum about the Confederacy. Fourth, your letter misses the point. While, the SCV may have gotten some of the timing, location, and terminology issues wrong, they hit the nail on the head. You are in fact presiding over the dismantling of the MOC and the replacement will not be dedicated to the Confederacy. Thus, I view your complaints that you are being misrepresented by the SCV as akin to arranging the deck chairs on the Titanic. Finally, I note that my membership card reads: "The Museum of the Confederacy" expiration 6/3/2015. With the singular determination of the Confederate blood that runs in my veins, I will do all I can to restore the MOC (yes I contributed to the SCV legal fund and recruited others as well) or if that is not possible, to help build another Confederate history museum that remains true to its mandate. Thus, when the MOC is gone, I will obviously no longer be a member. In addition, I will encourage all those that I know that were members of the MOC to do the same. Without reservation, I strongly urge you to restore our Confederate museum and to turn back from the edge. Signed Jeffrey F. Addicott Lt. Colonel (US Army, ret) Distinguished Professor of Law Director, Center for Terrorism Law Saint Mary's University San Antonio, Texas    OFFICIAL SCVNEWS POST SCVNews and SCV Telegraph are Copyrighted 1999-2014, Sons of Confederate Veterans. The SCV Telegraph Mailing List is for Official SCV Use ONLY. DO NOT reply to this message. SCV Telegraph mailing list http://scv.org/maillistSubscription.phpp

This email was sent to jamesbradley_1970@yahoo.com by ihq@scv.org |   Rapid removal with SafeUnsubscribe™ | Privacy Policy. Sons of Confederate Veterans | PO Box 59 | Columbia | TN | 38402

RESULTS OF CONFEDERATE RADIO CAMPAIGN IN GEORGIA

Sons of Confederate Veterans December 19, 2014         PRESS RELEASE            GEORGIA SONS OF CONFEDERATE VETERANS STATEWIDE RADIO CAMPAIGN              (ATLANTA - Dec 19, 2014)  The Georgia Division of the Sons of Confederate Veterans revealed today the results of its statewide radio campaign during 2014 which have featured a series of 60 second radio commercials.  Each of the commercials highlights a different event or prominent person of the War for Southern Independence from the year 1864 as part of the ongoing Sesquicentennial commemoration of the War; and all of them tell the story from the Southern view, focusing on an accurate historical portrayal of events of the time instead of the recent historical revisionism currently portrayed by so much of the news and entertainment industries today.  The Georgia Division disclosed today that the commercials have run for nearly a year now on a variety of radio stations across Georgia which blanket approximately 90 percent of the state geographically.  The predominant genres of the stations that were included in the year-long campaign were primarily country music and conservative talk radio.  The outcome of the campaign has been a number of inquiries and new members into the SCV in Georgia, as well as a continued interest among the general public in such displays of Southern heritage as the specialty license plates offered by the state of Georgia which prominently feature the Confederate battle flag.  The Georgia Division has already earmarked funds for continuing the statewide radio campaign into the 2015 calendar year.   Exactly 150 years ago, Georgia was one of the primary focuses of the War during Sherman's infamous "March to the Sea" which culminated its Georgia campaign in Savannah near Christmastime.  Many of the radio commercials produced for this radio campaign feature the heroic stand of Southern soldiers defending Atlanta and the rest of Georgia, as well as stories of such well-known events as Andersonville's POW camp.  The historical segments are considered by some to be controversial as they provide historical facts which have been intentionally obfuscated in recent years.   Additionally, the war crimes of William Tecumseh Sherman's army are brought to light, reminding native Georgians and newcomers alike of the atrocities committed by federal troops as they invaded Georgia, committing rape, murder, and pillage among the civilian population. The coming year of 2015 will bring to a close the 150th Anniversary of the War for Southern Independence; but the success of the statewide radio campaign and other Sesquicentennial endeavors are already receiving consideration for permanent educational efforts by the Georgia Division as the organization looks toward the 200th anniversary of the War in the future.         For more information about the Sons of Confederate Veterans or any of this year's planned events to commemorate the Sesquicentennial of the War, contact the Georgia SCV at 404-456-3393 or online at www.GeorgiaSCV.org        END RELEASE    * Permission to reprint this release is granted.

Ray McBerry Enterprises | P.O. Box 1263 | McDonough | GA | 30253

Fwd: SCV Telegraph- MoC Update

Gentlemen, The previous communication on this topic was a copy of a letter sent to all Division Commanders. I should have modified it slightly for the broader audience of the Telegraph. Please make your donations payable to "MoC Committee, Virginia Division, SCV" and send to same at P. O. Box 29814 Henrico, VA 23242-0814. Online payments may be made via PayPal; see the ad at the Virginia Division website, http://www.scvva.org  Your donations are tax-deductible. All donations received to date and from this point forward will be applied to this vital effort to save the largest single collection of Confederate archives, artifacts, and memorabilia in the world. Sincerely, Edwin Ray Chairman MoC Committee Virginia Division, SCV 804-517-6587 JRAY250443@AOL.COM     OFFICIAL SCVNEWS POST SCVNews and SCV Telegraph are Copyrighted 1999-2014, Sons of Confederate Veterans. The SCV Telegraph Mailing List is for Official SCV Use ONLY. DO NOT reply to this message. SCV Telegraph mailing list http://scv.org/maillistSubscription.phpp

Sons of Confederate Veterans | PO Box 59 | Columbia | TN | 38402

Fwd: SCV Telegraph- Help Us Promote the SCV!

Compatriots and friends,   SCV GHQ is always on the hunt for great looking pictures to be used in various ways in order to promote the Sons of Confederate Veterans.  Right now we are looking for some (very) high resolution photographs that show the very best the SCV has to offer.  Currently, we are looking for photos of SCV members doing fun things related to The Cause, volunteering, gravesite cleaning, or just having fun. We would like member pictures of the young, not so young, members of all backgrounds, race, hues, and hailing from all different nations.    If you have a photograph that screams "We love the SCV" and it's in high resolution, please send it to cic@scv.org  Please note that it may be used in various promotions so we need to have the rights to use the photo(s).    Thank you and have a very Merry Christmas! Deo Vindice! Charles Kelly Barrow Commander-in-Chief Sons of Confederate Veterans www.scv.org      OFFICIAL SCVNEWS POST SCVNews and SCV Telegraph are Copyrighted 1999-2014, Sons of Confederate Veterans. The SCV Telegraph Mailing List is for Official SCV Use ONLY. DO NOT reply to this message. SCV Telegraph mailing list http://scv.org/maillistSubscription.phpp

Sons of Confederate Veterans | PO Box 59 | Columbia | TN | 38402

The COUNTDOWN 'TIL Lee-Jackson Day/Flagging Lexington 2015.

The COUNTDOWN 'TIL Lee-Jackson Day/Flagging Lexington 2015. 


​

For the third year, the Va Flaggers will gather in Lexington for the Lee-Jackson holiday weekend.

Friday, January 16th is the Virginia State Holiday for Lee-Jackson Day, and Saturday, January 17th is officially recognized as Lee-Jackson Day in Lexington.

The Virginia Flaggers will flag the town of Lexington for action taken by City Council to ban ALL flags (except the US Flag, Va State Flag and non-existent city flag) from city light pole flag stands, rather than allow the flags of Lee and Jackson to fly for the week leading up to the State holiday, ANDWashington & Lee University for actions taken by President Ruscio to desecrate the LEE Chapel by removing battle flags from the Lee Mausoleum in response to the demands of 6 agitators/students.

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 in the face of these unwarranted and discriminatory attacks.

  ​

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 at 9:00 a.m. for instructions and information.

Discount Lodging information here... http://leejacksonday.webs.com/lodgingsponsors.htm

PLEASE NOTE:  TODAY, Wednesday, December 17th,  is the last day for the discounted lodging, made available by the Stonewall Brigade.  Please see link above for specific instructions to make reservations and get the discount pricing.

The Va Flaggers call for a TOTAL BOYCOTT of Lexington, Va and ask that participants take great effort and not spend ANY MONEY inside the city limits. The recommend lodging is located outside of the town limits.

More detailed schedule and information to follow.  PLEASE make plans to make your way to Lexington, and TAKE YOUR STAND!

Susan Hathaway
Va Flaggers

UPCOMING EVENTS:

Wednesday, December 17th:  Flagging the VMFA, 200 N. Boulevard, 2:00 p.m. - 6:00 P.M.

Saturday, December 20th:  Flagging the VMFA, 200 N. Boulevard, 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Monday, December 29th:  Susan will be speaking at the Lee-Jackson Banquet of the NB Forrest Camp 803,SCV, Sanford, North Carolina .  6:00 p.m.  The Steele Pig, 133 S. Steele Street.  RSVP Lt. Commander Kevin Stone at scvmechcav@hotmail.com by December 20th. 

Friday, January 16 - Saturday, January 17th, 2015: Lee-Jackson Day, Lexington, VA.  We will be flagging Lexington and Washington & Lee all day Friday, and flagging and participating in the Lee-Jackson activities scheduled for Saturday, including memorial services for Lee and Jackson, and a parade through town.  THIS YEAR NEEDS TO BE OUR BIGGEST SHOWING EVER!  MAKE PLANS TO JOIN US... take a stand for Lee and Jackson in the town that has chosen to dishonor their memory and let them know that there are those of us who will not forget what City and W&L officials have done.

Follow our blog:  http://vaflaggers.blogspot.com/

Find us on FaceBook:  https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Virginia-Flaggers/378823865585630

Follow us on Twitter:  @thevaflaggers

Virginia Flaggers

P.O. Box 547

Sandston VA 23150

info@vaflaggers.com