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 31st, 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 16th, and Lee-Jackson Day celebration in Lexington on Saturday, January 17th, 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:
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
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.
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