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Retired Judge Huey R. Ham started the ceremony with a welcome to all and SCV Camp Chaplain Harry Bennett gave an Invocation. SCV Camp Commander Thomas Lavender introduced the guest speakers; the first was the SCV Camp Heritage Defense Officer, Terry “T” Warren of Bridgeport, IL. who spoke about his involvement with the American Indian Movement in the ‘70’s and his corresponding Confederate Heritage defense fights.
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The next speaker was H. K. Edgerton of Ashville, N.C. He told about his march across the Southland wearing a Confederate Soldiers uniform and carrying a Confederate Battle Flag. His recent trip to Kansas City, Missouri to protest a School Principal refusal to allow a young student from doing a report for Black History Month on his Black Hero, Mr. H. K. Edgerton, because Mr. Edgerton supports the Confederate Battle flag and the Christian history it represents. He also spoke on the trouble he had with his Mothers' Church refusal to allow her funeral service to be held there because her funeral was to be held with full Confederate Honors that her lighter complexion (Caucasian) friends and family were giving her. The funeral service with the flag she loved (the confederate battle flag). "It was a part of her history as much as it is the Sons of Confederate Veterans". H.K. also gave a passionate speech on the Battle Flag titled "This is MY Flag" and closed with the singing of Dixie.
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Next, the United Daughters of the Confederacy Vice President, Ann Keene-Knox and Recorder of Military Crosses Karen Lewis Harrell presented local resident of Brantley County, Jerry Watkins (descendant of Pvt. James Hut Watkins Co. D 4th MO CAV CSA) with the UDC National Defense Medal for his military service in Operation Desert Storm with the USAF in 1993 at Dhahran Air Base, Saudi Arabia. Judge Huey R. Ham, SCV Camp Judge Advocate also presented Jerry Watkins with the SCV's War Service Medal for his military service during Operation Desert Storm.
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Period Dress Contest
There were seven entrants to the period dress contest, Pamela Warren, Mayme Warren, Katlin Lyons, Rebecca Johnson Tomerlin, Monika Jones and Sara Jones all of whom had beautiful dresses, the three finalists were, Pamela Warren of Bridgeport, IL, Rebecca Tomerlin of Meridian, MS, and Sara Jones of Jesup, GA.
The winner, chosen by the response of the crowd was, Rebecca Johnson Tomerlin, shown here next to the Confederate Memorial Wall with her ancestor, James Hampton Johnson highlighted. The prize she won was a one-night stay at the Quality Inn Motel on St. Simons Island and Dinner for two at the Outback Steak House.
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Grave Marker Dedication
The 26th Georgia infantry Re-enactors gave a Grave Marker Dedication for Private Isaiah Parrish of the 61st GA INF CSA Being that there were no descendants found for Private Parrish the burial flag was presented to Huey R. Ham to be displayed in the Library. The Re-enactors also had a “Living History” exhibition with tents and equipment from the era of War for Southern Independence for the public to view and explore.
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Entertainment
The Warren Family, Terry, Pamela, sang some beautiful southern songs, most of which they had written themselves, about the Southland and the War for Southern Independence.
Their Daughter Mayme, played several songs on her Flute. The crowd seemed to be enjoying their performance but technical difficulties cut their show short so they packed up and mingled with the crowd and enjoyed the exhibits and the fellowship.
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