Little Mary Phagan Day Proclamation in Georgia

Sons of Confederate Veterans May 29, 2015          PRESS RELEASE            LITTLE MARY PHAGAN DAY IN GEORGIA                   (ATLANTA - May 29, 2015)    Perhaps the most well-known and most horrific murder in the history of Georgia occurred on April 26, 1913 when little Mary Phagan was brutally raped and murdered while going to collect her wages of $1.20 before attending the parade for the aging Georgia veterans on Confederate Memorial Day.     The following proclamation establishing "Little Mary Phagan Day" was announced in 2013 as an annual remembrance:        A Proclamation Little Mary Phagan Day Whereas: Little Mary Phagan was born to Frances Elizabeth L. "Fannie" Phagan Benton Coleman and William Joshua Phagan in Florence, Alabama, on the 1st day of June, in the year of our Lord 1899; and Whereas: After the death of William Joshua Phagan, the family moved to Marietta, Georgia; and Whereas: Fannie Phagan married John W. Coleman in 1912, moving into the downtown Atlanta community of "Cabbagetown" where Little Mary Phagan began employment at the National Pencil Factory in the Spring of 1912; and Whereas: On April 26, 1913, Little Mary Phagan was on her way to celebrate Confederate Memorial Day by attending the parade of those aging Confederate veterans; and Whereas: Little Mary Phagan never made the parade, as she was beaten, raped, and brutally murdered, body thrown down an elevator shaft at the age of thirteen years old; and Whereas: The United Confederate Veterans and the Masons raised money to bury her at Marietta City Cemetery. She lies in the Southeast corner where Cemetery Street and West Atlanta Street intersect, adjacent to the Confederate Cemetery; and Whereas: Our Confederate heroes regarded her death as such importance to have buried her with Confederate veterans watching over her from her right, and Masons to her left; and Whereas: The Sons of those men in grey shall forget her not; now Therefore: I, Jack Bridwell, Commander, Georgia Division of the Sons of Confederate Veterans do hereby Proclaim June 1st, 2013, and each June 1st hereafter, as Little Mary Phagan Day.      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

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

US ARMY DEFENDS USE OF CONFEDERATE NAMES FOR BASES

Sons of Confederate Veterans August 3, 2015          PRESS RELEASE            US ARMY DEFENDS USE OF CONFEDERATE NAMES FOR BASES              (ATLANTA - August 3, 2015)   In the wake of attacks recently upon all things Confederate, some outspoken critics of Southern heritage began calling for the renaming of US Army bases around the South which bear the names of Confederate commanders from the War Between the States.  Some of the more prominent of these bases include Fort Benning in Georgia, Fort Hood in Texas, and Fort Bragg in North Carolina. Fort Benning, located in Columbus, Georgia, was named in honor of Henry Benning, one of the most influential men in Georgia politics and a Confederate general after the outbreak of the War.  Benning was a justice on the Georgia Supreme Court prior to the War and was an outspoken proponent of the constitutional view of States' Rights and a limited federal government.  In fact, Benning wrote the majority opinion in the important case of "Paddleford v Savannah" in which he advanced the States' Rights doctrine that in all constitutional questions, the Georgia Supreme Court is "coordinate and co-equal" with the federal supreme court since the states created the federal government.  Benning served admirably in the Confederate army during the War and continued to be a leading figure in Georgia after the war's end.  Thousands of soldiers in the US Army have trained at Fort Benning during its history, including some of the most elite infantry and airborne troops dating all the way back to World War II. US Army spokesmen responded to the recent calls to rename bases named in honor of Confederate heroes by stating that the Army has no current intention of renaming its bases.  The bases named in honor of Southern heroes are located in the South and were named in a spirit of reconciliation after the late unpleasantness.  The Georgia Division of the Sons of Confederate Veterans applauds the unwillingness of the US Army to yield to the unpopular, albeit loud, cries of the politically incorrect enemies of Southern heritage in their attempt to eliminate every vestige of our noble heritage.              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 404-271-8473 or online at www.GeorgiaSCV.org        END RELEASE    * Permission to reprint this release is granted.

"When they take one of our flags down, we need to put two flags up."

Report of the Deputy Director for Heritage Promotion  In these days of unjust and ungodly attacks upon our Confederate Heritage, it is imperative that we keep our flags flying.  CIC Barrow and Chief of Heritage Operations Chairman Jones have the same philosophy regarding the flying of our flags. "When they take one of our flags down, we need to put two flags up." This should also be the same philosophy of every SCV member. The Heritage Operations Committee has funds to help you get Confederate flags placed in prominent areas of the country.  Please contact our headquarters at Elm Springs if your camp has a project that can accomplish this goal. Let's show this country just how proud we are of the Confederate flag. Byron E. Brady Deputy Director for Heritage Promotion Sons of Confederate Veterans

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

CBS ATLANTA FACING LAWSUIT BY SONS OF CONFEDERATE VETERANS

Sons of Confederate Veterans August 3, 2015          PRESS RELEASE            CBS ATLANTA FACING LAWSUIT BY SONS OF CONFEDERATE VETERANS               (ATLANTA - August 3, 2015)   On Sunday, CBS 46 in Atlanta featured a story on their television newscast, on their website, and on their Facebook and social media pages about a supposed resurgence of the KKK in Paulding County.  Prominently featured with the story, however, was the legally registered logo of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, an organization which is in no way affiliated with the Klan.  The Sons of Confederate Veterans was founded in 1896 by actual sons of the Confederate veterans and was charged by the veterans, themselves, with providing the true history of the South to future generations.  The SCV is an historical preservation and geneological association and is open to members of all races who have Confederate ancestors, including black Americans of whom the organization has members.  Before the end of the day on Sunday, state officials of the Georgia Division of the Sons of Confederate Veterans (SCV) had already contacted CBS 46 and ordered an immediate removal of the organization's logo, as well as an online and on-air apology by station management.  Screen shots of the content were captured by members of the SCV and sent to state and national headquarters.  Even if a retraction is made by the station, SCV leaders in Georgia have indicated that they will likely pursue legal action against the station for what is viewed as a blatant and intentional error on the part of CBS 46 and its staff to associate the SCV with the KKK. The Sons of Confederate Veterans vehemently affirm today that  1) there is no connection between the SCV and the KKK,   2) the SCV condemns the use of the Confederate battle flag and all Confederate symbols by any hate group whatsoever, and   3) the SCV intends to aggressively pursue legal action against any and all individuals, businesses, and governments which violate the laws regarding the protection of Confederate symbols, flags, and monuments and the good name of the Sons of Confederate Veterans.           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 404-271-8473 or online at www.GeorgiaSCV.org        END RELEASE    * Permission to reprint this release is granted.

Sons of Union Veterans' Resolution on Confederate Battle Flag

Sons of Confederate Veterans July 3, 2015          PRESS RELEASE            SONS OF UNION VETERANS' RESOLUTION ON THE CONFEDERATE BATTLE FLAG            (ATLANTA - July 3, 2015)    In 2000, the annual national Encampment of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War passed the below resolution regarding their position on the Confederate Battle Flag.  These men are the descendants of those Union soldiers who fought on the opposite side of the field from our brave forefathers in grey.   In light of the current attack upon our beloved Flag, the re-publishing of that resolution is timely.  It reads as follows...       GENERAL ORDER NO.26 SERIES 2014-2015 SONS OF UNION VETERANS OF THE CIVIL WAR Display of the Confederate Battle Flag By the authority vested in me as Commander-in-Chiefof theSons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, the National Constitution and Regulations, and National Policies, it is hereby ordered as follows: Section 1:  Recently many individual Brothers, Camps, Departments and the National Organization have been contacted regarding the position of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War (SUVCW) on the display of the Confederate Battle Flag. Section 2:  The SUVCW already has an official position on file regarding this issue, as adopted by the 119th National Encampment. As the National Encampment is the supreme governing body of the SUVCW, and as no subsequent National Encampment has revisited this issue, the SUVCW's official position remains the same. Neither the Commander-in-Chief nor the Council of Administration has the authority to amend the position. Section 3: For clarity, the official position of the SUVCW regarding the display of t he Confederate Battle Flag is included in this order, as follows: RESOLUTION OF SUPPORT DISPLAY OF BATTLE FLAGS OF THE CONFEDERACY 119TH NATIONAL ENCAMPMENT OF THE SONS OF UNION VETERANS OF THE CIVIL WAR LANSING, MICHIGAN AUGUST 19, 2000 A resolution in support of the display of the Confederate Battle Flag. WHEREAS, we, the members of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, condemn the use of the confederate battle flag, as well as the flag of the United States, by any and all hate groups; and WHEREAS, we, the members of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, support the flying of the Confederate battle flag as a historical piece of this nation's history; and WHEREAS, we, the members of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, oppose the removal of any Confederate monuments or markers to those gallant soldiers in the former Confederate States, and strongly oppose the removal of ANY reminders of this nation's bloodiest war on the grounds of it being "politically correct;" and WHEREAS, we, as the descendants of Union soldiers and sailors who as members of the Grand Army of the Republic met in joint reunions with the Confederate veterans under both flags in those bonds of Fraternal Friendship, pledge our support and admiration for those gallant soldiers and of their respective flags; THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that we, the members of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War in 119th Annual National Encampment, hereby adopt this resolution. Dated in Lansing, Michigan, on this nineteenth day of August, in the year of our Lord Two thousand. SUVCW General Order No. 26, Series 2014-2015 Section 3: Individual Brothers, Camps and Departments shall be mindful of the official position of the SUVCW when addressing issues involving the Confederate battle flag. It is recommended that inquiries about the SUVCW's official position be directed, without further comment or elaboration, to the Order's website (http://suvcw.org/flagres.htm) where it can be read in its entirety. The foregoing General Order is proclaimed this 25th day of June in the year of our Lord two thousand fifteen, and of the Independence of the United States of Ameri ca the two hundred thirty-ninth, in the City of Gilroy, County of Santa Clara, State of California. Tad D. Campbell, PDC Commander-in-Chief           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 404-271-8473 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

Commander in Chief's Statement on Hate Groups Using Our Flag

The Sons of Confederate Veterans has learned that a North Carolina Chapter of the Ku Klux Klan has been granted a permit for a protest rally, scheduled for July 18, 2015 on the South Carolina Statehouse grounds.  The 30,000 members of the Sons of Confederate Veterans vehemently oppose and denounce this hateful and divisive event.

The Sons of Confederate Veterans has a strictly enforced "hate" policy.  Anyone with ties to any racist organization or hate group is denied membership.  Any member developing ties to these organizations will be immediately expelled. Prohibited organizations include the Ku Klux Klan, American Nazi Party, the National Alliance, or any organization expressing racist ideals or violent overthrow of the United States government.

The Sons of Confederate Veterans is an historic heritage organization, founded in 1896.  Our duty is to protect and preserve the history and heritage of the Confederate soldier, of many ethnicities.  This duty was given to us by the Confederate Veterans themselves, and was given to no other group. We are the direct descendants of those men.

Our ancestor's Battle Flag makes no distinction about race, creed or religious affiliation. We stand unequivocally against hate groups for their desecration of those symbols that reflect the best in us: our Christian Cross, our United States Flag, and our beloved Saint Andrew's Cross, the flags of our courageous ancestors.

Recent actions by opportunistic special interests have compounded the horrific actions of these hate groups by further dividing black and white Southerners of good will and long standing brotherhood. We stand with all   good-hearted Americans in strongly condemning "race haters" of any ilk.

Charles Kelly Barrow

Commander-in-Chief
Sons of Confederate Veterans
@scvcic
www.scv.org

Commander in Chief's Statement on Church Burnings

The Sons of Confederate Veterans is very concerned with the stories of recent burnings of Christian churches in our beloved South.  We strongly condemn any acts of violence or vandalism against houses of worship and their parishioners.  That the recent acts of violence seem to be targeting churches with large black memberships, and occurring in the South, is deeply disturbing to us.  We join all Americans in condemning any acts of arson or other acts of violence against all churches and their members and any message of intimidation that such actions might imply.

The Sons of Confederate Veterans is a heritage preservation organization dedicated to preserving the memories and heritage of our Confederate ancestors who fought and, in many cases, died during the War Between the States.  We condemn all acts of racial violence.

We stand with our Christian brethren of all races when their houses of worship are attacked and assaulted. If local law enforcement and fire marshal investigations determine that any of these churches were intentionally  burned or damaged by arson or other malicious acts, we will stand with our Christian brethren and fellow Americans and support wherever we can the efforts of local law enforcement to catch and punish the culprits.

Charles Kelly Barrow
Commander-in-Chief
Sons of Confederate Veterans
@scvcic
www.scv.org

Passing of Georgia's Last "Real" Son

Sons of Confederate Veterans June 12, 2015          PRESS RELEASE            PASSING OF GEORGIA "REAL" SON                    (ATLANTA - June 12, 2015)   This week, Georgia buried perhaps its last "real son" of a Confederate veteran.  Mr. H.V. Booth passed away in Elberton on Sunday from cancer at the end of a long life, being 96 years young. H.V. Booth was the last known real son of a Confederate veteran in Georgia.  His father, Isham Johnson Booth, was 72 when H.V. was born, something not completely unheard of during the period of Reconstruction when so many Southern men had recently perished in the Cause for Southern Independence leaving a great void in the Southern population.  While there are thousands of men in Georgia and across the South who proudly wear the name "Sons of Confederate Veterans," the number of literal sons of the war veterans, themselves, has dwindled down to fewer than half a dozen across the South according to the Sons of Confederate Veterans organization.    H.V. Booth was a war veteran, himself, having served in the U.S. Navy during World War II where he saw action in some of the fiercest fighting of the Pacific including the Battle of Iwo Jima.  A Confederate colour guard provided by the Georgia Division of the SCV participated in his funeral on Wednesday this week; it was one of his wishes because of his love for his heritage and birthright.        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

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