July 2021 Dispatch

Next Meeting

Our next meeting date is Tuesday, July 27.  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.  Our guest speaker is Mr. Maxwell Scott, Ogeechee Rifles, Camp 941, Statesboro.  His topic is Confederate Accoutrements and Weapons. All visitors are welcome; bring one.

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Announcements

1. Thank you to everyone that helped with Thomson Confederate Cemetery cleanup.
2. Remember that GA. Division SCV passed a resolution to not consume Coke products.
3. Membership dues have been mailed.  Please return those to Adjutant Butler as soon as possible.  If you are 65 or older, please consider becoming a GA Division life member.  Please make any contribution to the Legal Defense Fund through the camp.
4. Mark your calendar.  Thomson Guards voted to participate in and recruit at:

• The Oliver Hardy Festival   --   October 2
• The Camellia City Festival, 150th Anniversary of McDuffie County  --  October 23

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Important Dates in CSA History
July 1, 2 & 3, 1863  --  Gettysburg
July 4, 1863 --  Vicksburg surrenders
July 9, 1863 --  Port Hudson surrenders
July 13, 1821 --  General Nathan Bedford Forrest, born
July 18, 1863 --  Battle of Fort Wagner
July 21, 1861 --  First Battle of Manassas
July 29, 1862 --  “Alabama” sails out of England
July 30, 1864 --  Battle of Crater

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Dear Compatriots,
 
Among the most important duties in meeting our “Charge” as SCV members is the “preservation of history and the perpetuation of the hallowed memories of these brave men…”  On June 26, many of us met at the Thomson Memorial Confederate Cemetery to cut, shovel, rake, mow and dispose.  
 
Some would call it work.  Others might say it was a sacred opportunity and privilege to show our love and respect to our ancestors and our beloved South.  Sure, it was hot, humid and dusty.  Sure, it was inconvenient to leave home on Saturday morning when we could have been sleeping.
 
But, our ancestors proved themselves to be truly remarkable in many ways.  Christian, honest, respectable and dependable in almost every situation.  We admire what they did and we wish to emulate their fine qualities.  We owe them our gratitude.
 
So, over all, instead of leaving us dead tired, this work left us with a most satisfying feeling of accomplishment.  We paid back just a little of what was given to us so generously.  Thank you all for helping.
 
God Bless the South.  
Tom Holley