The Fort Brooke Record

November 2000
Issue 11

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Our most precious…

the stolen ones

 Our most precious, our future, our children, they are being stolen. Yes stolen, right under our noses. “No, they’re right in the next room” you say. But, just who is in that room. I’ll tell you who.

            Have you read your child’s history text? You should. Please be seated when you do, it’s a long fall. Does your child have a flag on his car or truck? No, not one for the Gators or 'Noles. THE FLAG! No? Why not? Are they active members of the SCV or UDC? No, why not? To busy with other things they say??? Really??? Do they ask you about the Confederacy or what it means to be Southern? No? Do you teach them by living it daily? “I guess so.”

            Well, let me enlighten you as to who is REALLY raising your children or grand children. THEM!! That’s who. Don’t really believe me? Take this simple test. Get the real answers, don’t argue with them, just listen. (try not to go into shock) .

1.   Ask the child the cause of “The Civil War”. (just listen don’t talk)

2.   Ask the child about slavery, who brought the slaves to the US, what was it like to be a slave, who freed the slaves.

3.   Put a Battle Flag on your child's car. See what the reaction is. Get them to ‘really’ tell you why they won’t have any part if it.

4.   Ask them to go to SCV-UDC meetings. Then ask them why they won’t go.

5.   Read their history book. (remember to do this seated)

6.   Talk to their teacher about doing a talk/presentation during “Confederate History Month”. When you do you will see someone with two left feet do the most beautiful tap-dance you have ever seen.

 Well, wasn’t that an eye opener. Want to know how this happened?

 This is the reason why we have State and national education standards. If you thought it was to ensure the same high standards State and nation wide then they got to you too. Prior to the ‘War of northern Aggression’ the schooling of our children was the responsibility of the parent, the church or the local community. We determined what would be taught, what the standard would be. After the war it was decided to ‘standardise’ what would be thought err, I meant taught. The ‘philosophy’ of the ‘nation’ would be the standard so we wouldn’t have to go through a ‘civil war’ again. If we all think alike then the problems go away. The victors mostly with a New England Unitarian basis would write these national standards.       For the last 130 years they have been teaching that we were wrong, we were evil, it was all our fault, we got what we deserved. But they did maintain a certain tolerance to our continued teaching the truth at home and in Church. Now all has changed. In the last 15 years they have decided to step it up. God is banned in school and so are our symbols. No prayers before football games, no flags on your car/truck, no “Legends in Grey” shirts with General Robert E. Lee. (very evil person you know). Now your child shows up in school with ‘the flag’ on their shirt, their car, what happens? Lets look at some recent examples right here in the Sunshine State.

Hollywood, FL, a junior at the local high school is not banned from showing the flag or wearing a shirt but, he is however, harassed and ridiculed by both the other students and the teachers and staff. He is told he is a racist. He was almost believing it. This area of Florida might as well be Newark, not many of “US” left there. I found this young man requesting information in a Southern Forum on the Internet; I have been helping him to discover the truth in Southern History by directing to the resources where he can discover for himself the truth.

St. Petersburg, FL, a senior in an art class included a Battle Flag in a historic painting. His art teacher told him to “paint out that racist symbol, it has no place in art”. When the student protested he and his mother were told that the work would receive a failing grade and wouldn’t be shown in the exhibition and there would also be problems in the future for “his type”. They backed down.

Brooksville, FL, Several students are informed that the flag is no longer acceptable. They switch to ‘Legends in Grey” shirts and these too are banned. Why? They are potentially disruptive. No one complained, no one was ‘offended’. But, there might be a possibility of a problem. When a fuss was made the local NAACP and humane rights coalition got involved. Letters were written to the paper, TV interviews were conducted. What was the outcome? The students were told that even if they were right that everyone would know who they were and that statewide and nationally they would be branded as racist and they would be hated as such. They got nervous and backed down. The problems continue. These students are now branded by the administration as ‘trouble makers’ and have been singled out for minor intercessions as an example to others.

Chiefland, FL, seniors are given a reserved parking place at school in the student. They are allowed to personalize their parking spot with a sign or such. One student placed a battle flag sign on the pole in the front of her spot. She was told it had to come down. She said she would when the school could show ‘in writing’ where The Flag violated the school policy. You see she also has several flag decals on her car, no one ever said anything about these. The principal had the sign painted over. Again to avoid ‘future’ problems the student dropped the matter.

Gainesville, FL, a sophomore who was advised that the Battle Flag is not acceptable was told not to bring it on school property. This student fly’s it from the antenna on his truck. So, to comply with the spirit of the request the student has a cover, which he puts over the rolled up flag when his truck is in the school parking lot. Well, the draconian principal saw the student drive into the lot and cover the flag. The student was told to report to the office where he was told he had purposefully defied the ’flag ban’ and was suspended for two days and then had his ‘zone waver’ revoked effectively expelling him from that high school. He has now enrolled in another high school and is fighting the suspension and effective expulsion

All of these cases have occurred since this beginning of this school year and are just the ones I’ve been made aware of.  There several overriding themes that I have noticed through all of these ‘school incidents’. 

1.   The Flag and other Southern symbols are never directly banned by written policy.

2.      They are banned as be ‘potentially’ disruptive. School policy gives great discretion to the principal in this area to ‘maintain order and discipline’ in the school. This should have a familiar ring to those of you old enough to remember the opposition in WWII.

3.   The cases are handled as “disciplinary’ cases. They will tell you this is NOT a heritage issue. Any student has the right to be proud of his heritage. (behind closed doors)

4.      When the student objects it is held up and example of the ‘disruptive nature’ of the flag.

5.       When the parents object they are told their child is a troublemaker and if they have the best interests of their child at heart they will back off. (pure intimidation)

So, what can we do about all this? Work with your children and grand children. Let them know that they are “being played’. (lied to, made the fool, manipulated), they wont like this. Point them to the truth. If they don’t believe you, challenge them to prove you wrong. Let them discover the truth for themselves. When they begin to discover the truth it will be an epiphany for them. They will be full of questions. If you know of a heritage violation in your schools, let me know. We will work together to ‘re-educate’ the schools. They can be turned around but it takes a great deal of gentle persuasion. They do not like to think their authority is being challenged. Turn it into an educational experience for all concerned.

Our children are the future and they are being stolen. Don’t let this happen you yours. 

Rich Warner
                Heritage Specialist
                Florida Division, SCV

Program Article

It is our good fortune to again be blessed with a program by our newsletter editor, Mr. Rich Warner.  Of course, back in September you met Rich first hand when he gave the program on the “Development of Confederate Submarines.”  Nothing but accolades were heard of his talk and his knowledge of his subject matter.  We were all impressed.

It is not often that we have two subsequent regular meetings with the same speaker, but that is the present situation.  Since Rich is the speaker for this meeting I am presenting the following bio info that was given in September:

“A few years after his birth in 1953 in Greensboro, North Carolina his family moved to Maryland and then in 1960 they moved to Dunedin where he attended Dunedin High School.  After another move to Pennsylvania, Rich graduated from Great Valley High School in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. 

From an early age, Rich was impressed with the importance of his Southern roots.  Although he attended many schools, while his family followed the engineering career of his father, it was always impressed on him that he really was a true Southerner. For this his mother gets the lions share of  the credit.  But even the knowledge that his father’s side of the family, while living in Chicago at the time of the War, were diehard Copperheads made an impression on Rich.  The Lincoln government closed down the newspaper which Rich’s direct forefather was the editor.

Today, Rich is a pilot with 18,000 hours flying time with Delta Airlines.  He has BS degrees in Aeronautical Science and Aviation Management from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University.  Although he is “on duty” with Delta 16 days of each month he is careful to see that his schedule accommodates his duties with the camp.”

For the program this month, Rich will again combine his interest in things Confederate with his keen interest in things technological.  The title of the program will be the “History of the CSS Hunley.”  We will learn the story of the successful efforts of the best and brightest of Southern engineering talent and ability to develop and to finally put to the test the Hunley.  The story and history of the Hunley to that fateful February night in 1864, when submarine history was made, will be part of the story we will hear.  We will also hear of the discovery of the wreck of the Hunley and of its successful recovery this Summer.

Come and be with us Tuesday, November 21st at Buddy Freddys as we continue another year of fine programs.

Flags Across Florida

An Update

By 1st Lt. Cmdr. Marion Lambert 

A date has been decided upon for the dedication of the monument/flagpole at the White Springs exit (exit 84) located on I-75 six miles north of I-10.  Mark your calendars for Saturday, April 7.  Of course, the site will be in varying degrees of completion from now until that date.  But rest assured, by that date there will be on that site a 110 foot flagpole with a monument and all of the supporting landscaping.

Florida Division Cmdr. John Adams contracted out the art design for a great colour ad sheet.  It is completed and will appear two times in the Confederate Veteran magazine.  You will receive the same ad sheet giving you the opportunity to subscribe to this effort.  It should arrive in our mailbox within three weeks.

We will keep you informed of this great and wonderful effort as it progresses.
 

Fishfry a Success

Thanks to the energy of Quartermaster Jake English, we had shipped down from South Carolina nine cases of Maurice’s Gourmet Blend B-B-Q Sauce.  This is the sauce which was taken off the shelves of many major retail outlets through out the South because of pressure from the NAACP.  Maurice Bessinger proudly flies the Confederate Battle Flag at his stores throughout South Carolina.  Just to name a few of the offending retail stores there is Wal-Mart, Sam Club, Publix, Winn-Dixie, Piggly Wiggly and Bi-Lo.  This was our show of support for Maurice Bessinger.  If you would like to try this famous mustard based sauce his web site address is http:/www.mauricesbbq.com.

The Foothills Bluegrass did not disappoint.  They were as good as they were in March.  The only difference is that they have added one new member.  The other four were Scott Rowell,  Bill Neely,  Angie Peterson, and David Beaumont   We were so impressed that we have already booked them for the March event.

United Daughters of the Confederacy 
Represented at Conference

Reported by Marion Lambert

 There was a special guest speaker at the 7th Annual League of the South Conference held October 12-14, 2000, in historic Pensacola, Florida.  Featured was Mrs. Mary Elizabeth Sanders who teamed up with Thomas Fleming, Rev. Steven Wilkins, Ron Kennedy, Charlie Reese, and League of the South President Michael Hill as conference speakers.  Mrs. Sanders was listed in the program as Division President of the Louisiana Division of the United Daughters of the Confederacy.

Mrs. Sanders spoke on Southern education as it used to be and how it is now.  She lamented the good which has been lost and she praised the efforts of the League in its efforts to address the issue of Southern education. 

Reestablishing the culture of the South through education is an aim of the League.  The League implements this effort through its “Hedge Schools.” Its mission is stated as follows: 

“We seek to advance the cultural, social, economic, and political well being and independence of the Southern people by all honourable means.”

 Mrs. Sanders when approached after her speech said simply that more folks, like herself, need to stand forth and be heard.  She said that folks in Louisiana know that it is time to make a stand for our culture and history.

Our Christmas Parade

 On Friday, December 1, in Plant City, Florida we begin the new parade season.  We do seven or eight parades each year and this is perhaps the best.  When it is said that “this is the best” what is meant is that the crowd appreciation expressed by standing, saluting, waving, cheering, hollering, and screaming is exceptional.  Exceptional, that is, when compared with other parades.  What HAS to be understood is that we are always well received by the parade goer, no matter what or where the parade.  Rare is the negative comment and great is the appreciation of the crowd.

If you want to participate in this fine and invigorating event do get in contact with Commander Jim Hayward at (813)685-4850.  He will have his three antique vehicles in the parade and there is always room for you.  Along with the antique vehicles we will have the parade float pulled by Mark Salter’s farm tractor.  

Confederate Cannon at Plant Park

From Pam Steele

             I met with the president of the Friends of Plant Park re: plans for the above.  The architect who was instrumental in the construction of the wall was killed in a horse/hunting accident about a month ago, which has set the project back a bit. Another architect in the same firm is taking on the project. They are attempting to recreate the wall in which the original cannons were placed. Also part of that area is now used for parking.  A buffer is to be designed between the present roadway and parking area and the cannon display. I was given several photos of the original cannon placement.  The area was beautiful with many of the different flora that Mr. Plant had brought from elsewhere. Hopefully this buffer will offer some relief from the not so pleasant view of the parking lot and student union.

            She is getting a proposal from none other than Mr. John Maseman. She has done a great job so far organizing the project and is open to suggestion. I mentioned the possibility of a re-dedication in period fashion with a picnic and music. She thought this was a great idea and wants to do a video/documentary for historical significance and future reference. She also wants someone to write up a history for the public to be used as handouts during the re-dedication. She indicated to me that she would like this to be a community project and the cannons be preserved and presented as best as possible.

            Charlie Spicola has the backing of the city as well as mayor Greco who is the final decision maker.  He was not able to meet with us due to working the election.

            Will keep you updated.

Camp Business

EMAIL DIRECTORY

 Presently the Email Directory for the camp has about 45 names and email addresses.  To become really effective in this “the information age” we need to have many more.  (Remember that the mailing list for the newsletter is near 300.) 

If you are one of the people who have in the past received any emails addressed to “Lesley Camp Members and Friends” then you are on this camp email directory.  If you have not then we need to add you and your email address to the directory. 

To be added to this important list please send your request to be added to:

1st Lt. Commander Marion Lambert

[email protected]

If you would like to be added to the directory but do not wish that your email address be made known to others please so indicate in your request.

FROM THE EDITOR 

            I again want to thank all of you for the great outpouring of contributions to the Fort Brooke Record. My great regret is in not being able to publish every contribution that has been submitted.

            So how is the size of our newsletter determined? This is determined by how the printing is done. So, it can grow or shrink in groups of 4 page blocks. I have tried to keep it to 16 pages until we receive our bulk mail permit. This is in an effort to conserve on the postage cost. The difference is approximately $.70 X 290 printed or about $196 per issue savings each month with bulk rate. This savings will go into growing the Fort Brook Record in quality and size.  It’s expected we will have the approval within a few weeks. I then will allow the Fort Brooke Record to  ‘size itself’ according to the amount of material I have. Until then I have a responsibility to spend your money wisely.

            If you have submitted material and you haven't seen it rest assured you will. I have everything that has been submitted and it is ready to go. Oh, I need pictures.

DEO VINDICE
Rich Warner, Editor 

An Appreciative Gift

 The camp has received a check for $100.00 from Mrs. James (Audrey) Head as an expression of her appreciation to the camp.  The Camp Honour Guard was present at the wake and at the graveside to honour the life and memory of our friend and Compatriot, James (Jim) Head.

HERITAGE REPORT

A Terrible Decision

 Reported by 1st Lt. Cmdr. Marion Lambert

The US Supreme Court rebuffed our flag with its refusal to hear the appeal of Wayne Denno.  That refusal was made public October 30 to the AP and to the world.   The court had the chance and opportunity to address an issue which will not go away.  With the current anti-flag agenda all the rage in the Southern schools not a day goes by that somewhere, someplace some child is told that the Confederate flag is a banned symbol.  It was a bad day for us and bodes ill for the immediate future concerning the rights of government school children of the South to honour their heritage in public. 

The prime sponsor for funding this legal effort has been the organization Preserving Our Heritage, Inc.  The legal bills paid to date by that organization to the attorney, Mr. Frank Jakes, in excess of $7,000.00.  Mr. Jakes’ lost legal fees are over $100,000.00.

Mr. Jakes will be the program speaker for the December meeting.  Of course, the topic of his talk will be the Denno case and the future of our legal efforts within the schools.

Following is the AP release concerning this refusal by the high court.

____________________

Monday October 30 10:14 AM ET
Court Won't Hear Confederate Case

By ANNE GEARAN, Associated Press Writer

 WASHINGTON (AP) - The Supreme Court declined to get involved Monday in a dispute over a high school student disciplined for displaying a small Confederate battle flag on school grounds.

In a widely reported 1995 incident, Florida student Wayne Denno refused to put the flag away when confronted by a school administrator and was then suspended from school for nine days. Denno alleged a principal called him a racist, and the Florida school system later claimed that Denno was trying to incite a riot.

Denno, a Civil War re-enactor who was then 16, claimed display of his 4-inch battle flag was not racially motivated and was protected under the First Amendment right to free speech.

He also urged another student not to turn his Confederate flag T-shirt inside out as requested by an assistant principal.

Eventually, Denno's mother sued the Volusia County School Board and two administrators on his behalf.

Denno had some success in court, but the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ultimately ruled that the suit should be thrown out.

Denno appealed to the Supreme Court, arguing that his right to display the flag trumped the school system's right to regulate his conduct on campus.

In court papers, Denno's lawyers noted the case's turbulent history in court, including dissents from two appeals judges and an unusual decision by the Atlanta-based 11th Circuit to withdraw a previous ruling that allowed Denno to continue with his case against the school administrators.

Denno claimed he was merely showing the flag to some friends at lunchtime and was not disrupting class or offending anyone in the process.

The school district has maintained that the flag is such a controversial symbol that its mere display can be disruptive or hurtful. Relying in part on a Supreme Court decision that balanced student free speech with the school's duty to teach civility, the school claimed that its administrators were within their rights to confront Denno.

Denno cited a Supreme Court decision dating from the Vietnam War era, which said schools could not ban students from wearing black armbands to protest the war.

That case established students' rights to non-confrontational expression of speech that the school might not like, Denno argued. Without such rights, school administrators get a blank check to curtail free speech, he claimed.

``The ramifications are staggering. School officials may ban any and all symbolic speech with impunity. A Florida Gators cap could be banned because a student with an affinity towards Florida State University might be offended,'' Denno's lawyers wrote. ``Crucifixes worn on a chain around the neck might be prohibited for fear of offending a Jewish student.''

The Sons of Confederate Veterans have subsidized Denno's legal bills, and he has become something of a cause caliber among other groups supporting continued display of the flag.

The school system argued that the Supreme Court did not need to review the case, and claimed that Denno exaggerated the dispute's significance.

The case is Denno v. Volusia County School Board, 00-306.

EDITOR’S NOTE:  Although the Sons of Confederate Veterans did contribute 200 dollars toward the legal expenses, the SCV was not a major contributor.  The AP article gave the illusion that the SCV was the primary funding source.  Preserving Our Heritage, Inc. provided the lion’s share of the funds and those funds were solicited from private individuals.

   Chaplain's Corner

             Most of you know the story of Elijah and the prophets of Baal, how they got over 400 of these prophets and got two bulls to sacrifice to their god Baal. It was to be a contest to see whose god would accept the sacrifice. So Elijah let the prophets of Baal go first in calling on their god, Baal. He was supposed to reign down fire upon the alter that the bulls were placed upon and thereby accepting their sacrifice. Well, they prayed to Baal and they called upon him from morning till noon. They even shouted out to him, but alas, there was no response. So now around noon, ol' Elijah thought he would just have a little fun with them, and he began to taunt them, saying unto them, maybe you need to shout a little louder, maybe he doesn't hear you! Maybe he's in deep thought and needs to be awakened. You know, maybe he's busy or even traveling. ( can't you just see Elijah chuckling to himself ?!! wouldn't you have just loved to have been there?!!). So they shouted even louder and they kept this up until time for the evening sacrifice.

            Now it was Elijah's turn. and you know how he made them dig a ditch around the sacrifice and drenched the whole thing with water. And then at the time of the sacrifice Elijah stepped forward and prayed to God almighty to let it be known that his God, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel was the only God and that He was the only one that could answer those prayers. And then the fire of the Lord fell and burned up the sacrifice, even as wet and drenched as it was. And when all of the people saw this they fell on their faces and shouted out that "The Lord - He is God! The Lord - He is God!

            As you can see God can teach us lessons and sometimes in doing so he can do it in a humorous way.

And now spring forward in time to the 1860's and in a time of war with the North and the South. You're in western Virginia. Your neighbor, Lacy Baltch, had gone away to fight for his home state of Virginia, to fight off the Northern Aggression. And in "Uncle Lacey's" words, he states - " Well, just about the time the war was a-gettin' under way, old Sam Perdue took it into his head he ought to kill me to help things along, because he had joined one of those home guards a fightin' for the North. He had raised a squad of fellers, got hold of some blue suits, and wanted to make names for themselves. Kept folks around here scared half to death their home would be burned down or their stock run off."

            "So, one night when the moon was shinin' here they come. I'd been over in Virginny in the Tenth Cavalry but was home on furlough. And I wasn't sleepin' in the parlor, you can bet. I slept in the attic. I was up there, I tell you; and I looked out and saw that gang a comin'. There wasn't any chance to get away, and I layed low and waited.

            "Pretty soon they came a thunderin' at the door. My wife let 'em in. They asked where I was and she said she didn't know. She didn't, exactly - didn't know what corner of the attic I was hidin' in. Old Sam 'lowed he was glad I wasn't there, for he was goin' to set the house on fire and it would be a shame for a man to be burned up in his own place."

            "When I heard that I sorta caught my breath and a chill run up my back an' I almost sneezed. I heard my wife tell Sam the house was old and would burn easily. She said we were thinkin' about tearin' it down and buildin' a new one and he could save us the trouble by burnin' the old log roost. She was makin' coffee on the stove and she kept on workin'.

            "Now coffee was a scarce article and when the aroma began to arise old Sam began to sniff. He asked if it was Lincoln coffee, all other being made of rye or potatoes or sich. She told him it was and he made her pour the whole gang a cup a piece."

            "So she got tin cups and gave 'em all some coffee. While they was smakin' their mouths she went to the door, stepped out and with the door about a third of the way open she said: "If you air goin' to burn the house you'd better git started. The fact is , I was expectin' you fellers and I dosed this coffee with strychnine. And as Dr. Parks is 10 miles away, you will all be dead before you can make it to his place. Good night and good bye." With that she shut the door and ran away into the night.

            "Well, I never heard sich a racket in all my life. Some of them didn't wait to go out the door. They broke through the windows, and one of them carried a window sash upwards of a mile. I heard 'em goin' over the hill still yellin' and spurrin' their hosses."

            "Well, they galloped to old Doc Parks' home and knocked down his door in their haste ti git in; and he treated 'em , pumped out their stomachs and charged them a horse for his services. Fact of the matter, they wasn't no strychnine in the coffee. Jist a little quinine she had been keepin' for the chill."

            Now spring forward to around 1905 and now the participants are a little older and a little wiser. Now listen to "Uncle Lacey" as he continues. "Years after the war I met old Sam in town and asked him to drop by my place for a cup of coffee. Old Sam grinned sheepishly. "Lacey, you blamed idiot, please don't spread that story around and I'll give you a young shote, come hog killin' time. Let's let bygones be bygones." I agreed and we shook hands. Never believed in rubbin' things in on a feller."

So, as you can see our ladies which were gentile and gracious were also a little crafty and not without a sense of humor. For remember these were a people who believed in God and relied on His goodness and relied on Him to give them the strength and courage ( and ingenuity) and may I add even in a time of war not without a sense of humor.

Remember if God be on your side who can stand against you.

Your Chaplain, Rev Calvin T. Martin 
Ph. 813-651-0190
E-Mail - [email protected]

Confederate Soldiers Creed - Prayer!

I asked God for strength, that I might achieve,
     I was made weak, that I might learn humbly to obey

I asked for health, that I might do greater things,
     I was given infirmity, that I might do better things

I asked for riches, that I might be happy,
     I was given poverty, that I might be wise

I asked for power, That I might have the praise of men,
     I was given weakness, that I might feel the need of god

I asked for all things, that I might enjoy life,
     I was given life, that I might enjoy all things

I got nothing that I asked for, but everything I had hoped for
     Almost despite myself, my unspoken prayers were answered