January 2022 Dispatch

NEXT MEETING
          Our next meeting date is Tuesday, January 25.  We meet for dinner and fellowship at 5:30 p.m. in Habanero’s Mexican Restaurant on the Fort Gordon Highway, Harlem.  The meeting begins at 7:00 p.m. in the Laurel and Hardy Museum of Harlem.  It is located at the corner of Highway 221 and Highway 78 & 278 by the only traffic light in Harlem. 
          We are pleased to have Thomson native, Vietnam veteran, Augusta news anchor, former Mayor of Augusta, and member of President George W. Bush’s Advisory Council for Historic Preservation, Mr. Bob Young, as our guest speaker.  He will discuss his book, The Story of the Confederate Gold, published in 2012.

• https://www.facebook.com/BobYoungBooks
• https://military-history.fandom.com/wiki/Bob_Young_(mayor)

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ANNOUNCEMENTS

1.   Our newest members will receive SCV membership certificates: Roy Grice, Jerry Holley, Shawn King, Joe Patrick, Mack Shealy, David Thomasson, Mark Wren.
2.   Congratulations to our new SCV 20 year members:  David Butler, Jimmy McDaniel, Patric Parker, Dr. Gary Wilkes.  They will receive 20 year service pins.  Mr. Durham Milburn was our first in 2021. 
3.   Weather permitting (no rain) there will be a clean-up day of the Thomson Confederate Cemetery, 212 Tom Watson Way, on Saturday, January 22, starting at 9am.  Please bring leaf rakes, 55 gallon plastic trash cans, string trimmers, walk behind lawnmowers with baggers, riding lawnmowers with baggers.  Water and Power Ade will be provided.  Georgia Confederate Memorial Day - Monday, April 25.
4.   If you wish to have a shirt monogrammed with camp information please see Jimmy McDaniel.  The monogramming costs $8 per shirt.
5.   The Georgia Division, SCV, General Robert E. Lee birthday celebration is Saturday, January 15, at the Jeff Davis Park in Irwinville, Georgia. 

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​IMPORTANT DATES IN CSA HISTORY 
Jan. 1, 1863……President Lincoln signed the Emancipation
                              Declaration that abolished slavery
Jan. 9, 1861……Mississippi becomes the second state to
                              secede from the Union
Jan. 10, 1861…..Florida secedes from the Union
Jan. 11, 1861…..Alabama secedes from the Union
Jan. 19, 1861…..Georgia secedes from the Union
Jan. 26, 1861…..Louisiana secedes from the Union

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ADJUTANT’S ANNUAL REPORT

           The Thomson Guards currently have 28 members on the roster.  Throughout the year, we gained 11 new members, had 3 transfers to other camps and had 1 member not renewing.
          2021 was also a good year for programs with 10 knowledgeable and interesting speakers.  Looking ahead, we already have speakers/programs scheduled for the first 3 months of 2022.

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           I am pleased to report that as of this writing, the Thomson Guards have given a total of $5,850 to the Georgia Division Heritage Defense fund in response to the challenge given by our division commander.  This very important fund is allowing the Georgia Division SCV to fight the legal battle concerning our Confederate monuments throughout the state.      
​          April will be Confederate History Month in Georgia.  As always, we will do our duty as a group to honor the Confederate Soldiers in the Thomson Cemetery by placing flags at the graves of all the soldiers buried there.
          Altogether, 2021 was a good year for us.  There still is, however, room for the camp to grow in numbers.  Our goal is to have 35 members by the end of upcoming Spring. History shows that the best and most effective way for a camp to gain new members is through the recruitment of family and friends of current members.  Spread the word.  We can do it.
          Our next camp meeting will be on Tuesday, January 25th.  Bring a friend !!!
 Sincerely,
David Butler, Adjutant

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COMMANDER’S POST

SCV Events & Goals 2022

1. Recruit at least 35 voting members to Camp 91 by May 2022. Send 3 voting members to GA SCV reunion.​
2. Have official date with speaker at Camp’s memorial service. CSA Memorial Day Monday April 22. Advertise with GA SCV. Perhaps include a tour of a local historic home & property.
3.  Have an official service at Thomson Confederate Cemetery grave flagging with guest speaker.
4.  Thomson Confederate Cemetery to be kept thoroughly cleaned.
5.  Acquire Iron Cross for 4 or 5 veterans who are not currently marked with one in Thomson     Confederate Cemetery. There are 110 Confederate Veterans buried in this cemetery.
6.  Flag Confederate Veteran’s graves at Thomson Confederate Cemetery & Wrightsboro Church  April 15.
7.  Participate in: Laurel & Hardy Festival, Camellia City Festival, Warrenton Game Fest Festival & any other local festivals (Lincolnton).
8.  Mark all U.S. Veterans graves (perhaps 20) with U.S. flags in Thomson Memorial Cemetery for Veterans Day November 11.
9.  Have a voting member at the SCV National Reunion in Cartersville, Georgia, to represent our interest and report the experience back to Camp 91.
10.  Be an active member of Camp 91, Thomson Guards, that gets involved with camp sanctioned activities.  Stay positive and optimistic in all camp personal interactions.

As a member of Camp 91, Thomson Guards, please consider how you can assist in making these goals happen. We are a History, Heritage and Honor Society.
                                                                                                              Tom Holley