The Southern Advocate The Quarterly Newsletter of the Oklahoma Division Sons of Confederate Veterans http://oklahomascv.org/ "To you, Sons of Confederate Veterans, we will commit the vindication of the cause for which we fought. To your strength will be given the defense of the Confederate soldier's good name, the guardianship of his history, the emulation of his virtues, the perpetuation of those principles which he loved and which you love also, and those ideals which made him glorious and which you also cherish." (Lt. Gen. Stephen Dill Lee, Commander General, United Confederate Veterans, New Orleans, Louisiana, 1906) Volume 8, Number 4 Fall Quarter October-December 2017 Merry Christmas & Happy New Year Confederate Commander’s Comments "If you are true Southerners, reach back to your Southern This has been a mixed year for the SCV, and more importantly, for roots for enough fortitude to stand up. Our heritage cannot be our Confederate heritage. Our Confederate monuments and sym- saved if they see us as weaklings. During Lincoln's War the South bols, particularly the Battle Flag, remain under assault. Many mon- had 104,000 deserters. Think before you join them." – Elijah uments have been removed, yet, at the same time, new Confederate Coleman – Lee-Jackson Day 2012, Lexington, Virginia monuments and mega-flags are being raised. We are encouraged by the positive activities, events and projects undertaken throughout the year by many of the Oklahoma Division camps and individual compatriots. (See Camp News and Activities.) The projects and events that recognize and honor our Confederate soldier ancestors show everyone that we remain intensely commit- ted to remembering and protecting the good names of our ances- tors. These events also have the salutary effect of keeping camp members, especially new ones, involved with their camps and rein- forcing some of reasons we exist, and why they have a home in the SCV. Our hats are off to the camp commanders who have promoted these projects and events. We encourage those camps who are not involved with camp projects and events to begin planning now what your camp will do in 2018 to help further our SCV Mission. National remains four to six weeks behind in posting 2017-18 dues. We have no idea why it’s taking so long this year. The upshot of this delay is that we cannot determine how many members we currently have and how many did not renew. From the camp dues that have been posted, non-renewals appear to be modest. As of now, three camps – Duncan, Altus and Cooperton – had 100 per cent retention. Congratulations gentlemen, job well done. Soldier of Faith by Mort Kuntzler In closing, we are in the Christmas season, and on behalf of myself, Lt. Commander Cash and all Division officers, we wish each one of you, our fellow Division compatriots and your families, a very Merry Christmas and a healthy and happy New Year Ken Cook, Oklahoma Division Commander 2018 Confederate Flag Day Paul C. Graham – editor of Shotwell Publishing and author of Confederaphobia! Confederate Flag Day will be March 3, 2018, 11:45-1:15, at Lee Bright – Two-term South Carolina State Senator and re- Wiley Post Park, located at 2021 S. Robinson Ave. in Oklahoma nowned defender of Southern heritage City. Camps Col. Jackson F. McCurtain of Moore and Captain Jeffery Addicott -- law professor and expert on terrorist tactics Clem Vann Rogers of Oklahoma City will jointly host the event. Charles E. McMichael -- Past SCV CIC and heritage defense ac- Commander Cook has formed a Flag Day Committee to organize tivist the event and develop the program. Committee members are Larry Logan, Chairman (Moore), Terry Pierce (Oklahoma City) Special Offer for Current SCV Members and Don Branum of Camp Indian Territory of Poteau. Chairman Logan has already secured the permit for the Thanks to the support of the SCV General Executive Council, this event. If the weather is bad, it will be inside the park’s event year, in an effort to make the SDLI as accessible as possible, we center; otherwise, it will be out doors. are able to offer a special early registration discount for SCV Oklahoma City is a central location, which we hope will en- members of just $95. That’s a $30 savings off our regular regis- courage more of our members to attend, and we won’t have to tration fee of $125. be concerned with the unpredictable March weather. This special $95 registration fee is only available to current SCV members, and to take advantage of it you must register before January 17. 2018 SCV National Reunion Registration Package Sons of Confederate Veterans Camp No. 33, Murfreesboro, Tennessee, will host the 2018 Reunion of the Sons of Confeder- • Admission to all symposium programs including a ate Veterans, July 18-21. The Reunion will be held at the Frank- special panel discussion with all of our distinguished lin Cool Springs Marriott, 700 Cool Springs Road, Franklin, Ten- speakers Saturday afternoon. nessee. Information about registration and hotel reservations • Desert Reception Friday night at the hotel. can be found at http://www.scv.org/new/reunion2018/. • Lunch Saturday Registration Cost 2018 Stephen D. Lee Institute Symposium $95 for SCV members who register before January 17. The Rational Confederate in an Irrational World - Defending our $125 for SCV members after January 17 Southern heritage in an age devoid of logic and reason. $150 for non-members (the public is invited) A limited number of scholarships are available for high-school 17 February 2018 seniors, college students, and high-school teachers. Shreveport, Louisiana To register for the event, go to http://stephendleeinstitute. The attacks on our Southern heritage are beyond all reason: Com/events.html. emotion and insanity rage while facts, rationality, and logic are being driven from public discourse. Our host hotel is the Hilton Shreveport, 104 Market St, Shreve- port, LA 71101 (318) 698-0900. It is the purpose of the Stephen D. Lee Institute to provide the antidote to these toxins by bringing together some of the best The Hilton is extending a special SDLI rate of $107 ($119 double- minds in the South to make the case for Dixie. occupancy, plus applicable taxes). The SDLI rate includes free Wi-Fi and complimentary breakfast. We are pleased to announce the 2018 Stephen D. Lee Institute You can make a reservation online at the special SDLI by clicking will be held February 17, 2018 in Shreveport, Louisiana. Our host here. http://aws.passkey.com/goStephenDLeeInst. hotel for the event is the Hilton Hotel Shreveport; the sympo- sium will take place at the Shreveport Convention center, which Please note: to receive the special SDLI room rate, reservations is connected to the Hilton. must be made by January 26, 2018. We are once again putting together a very distinguished line-up Questions may be directed to Chris Sullivan at SDLeeinfo of speakers, including... @gmail.com or (864)660-9188 Ron Kennedy – noted trouble-maker and author of Dixie Rising: (Submitted by ATM Commander Johnnie Holley) Rules for Rebels and many others 2 2018 Division Officer Elections – both of Camp Captain Clem Vann Rogers of Oklahoma City – and Robert Carroll of Camp BG Stand Watie, Ardmore/Madill. Commander Ken Cook hereby announces his candicacy for The Committee will be responsible for periodically monitor- re-election to the office of Division Commander. Lt. Commander ing the monument and cemetery and repairing damaged grave- Rex Cash has advised Commander Cook that he will not seek re- stones, some of which have severely deteriorated over the years election to his office. and are in need of repair or replacement. Compatriot Mason Page of Camp Col. Dew Moore Wisdom of Muskogee and Compatriot Brandon Thompson of Camp Pvt. William Price of Ringling have made it known they intend to stand for election as Division Commander. Compatriot Kevin Easterling has likewise made it known that he intends to stand for election as Division Lt. Commander. Ft. Washita Brigade Commander, Jerry Patrick, has advised Commander Cook that he intends to stand for election for a full term as Brigade Commander. No one has made any announce- ments for the other Brigade offices. Past-Division Commander Logan Gives Radio Interviews An Oklahoma City radio station invited Past-Commander and Division Deputy Media Spokesman, Larry Logan, to sit for inter- views on two occasions – once in October and another in No- vember. They wanted to hear the SCV’s views on the Confeder- acy as they are currently relevant. The radio hostess seems to be a nice person, but she was obviously on the other side, rather than neutral as she should have been. It was one against three, Oklahoma Division Confederate Monument – Rose Hill Cemetery Con- but Compatriot Logan held his own on both occasions. The inter- federate Section – with well over 200 graves in the background. The views have been very civil, but probably changed no opinions. bricks surrounding the monument were purchased by descendants of Nevertheless, we believe it’s important to be able to explain our Confederate soldiers to honor them. Memorial bricks may still be pur- positions. Compatriot Logan has recordings of both interviews. chased by anyone wanting to honor his/her Confederate ancestor(s). He has another interview on December 23, this time with the For information, contact Terry Pierce at [email protected]. station manager, which should be a fairer interview. Commander Cook Creates Rose Hill Monument Committee In recent months, it has become obvious that the Oklahoma Division needs to pay closer attention to the Division’s Confed- erate monument in Rose Hill Cemetery at Ardmore.