At the present time, Let our weapons be truth and the proud display of OUR Colours.
Confederate Flaggers - Stand, Fight, and NEVER Back!
Welcome to Southern Flaggers. Here you can view the activities of flagging groups in the field and working to keep our Southern flags flying high and proud.
2012/05/24
2012/05/13
Love shown by the UDC....NOT!!!!
Saturday, May 12th began as most any other day on the Boulevard, where the Va Flaggers gathered to protest the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts and their illegal actions in forcing the removal of Confederate Battle Flags from the portico of the Confederate War Memorial/Pelham Chapel, flying a U.S. Flag on a Confederate War Memorial, and encroachment on the R.E. Lee Camp Confederate Memorial Park.
h...ttp://leg1.state.va.us/
The weather was absolutely gorgeous, with temperatures in the high 70’s, lots of sunshine, and a beautiful breeze to lift the flags! We had the pleasure of welcoming first time flagger Everette Ellis to the Boulevard, who carried a flag that flew 50 years ago, during the Centennial of the WBTS.
At one point, late in the afternoon, Cecil “Tommy” Thomas walked over to stand on the corner we call “Camp Grayson”. For months, we stood at this corner, which was a great spot for allowing us to explain to museum visitors what the VMFA had done. Since the March 10 incident with the United Daughters of the Confederacy, we have lost the use of that corner, even though the UDC told us that it is not actually their property. If we stand there, museum guards usually come out and tell us to move. This time, the guards came out of the building, but did not approach Tommy. They simply stood by the museum entrance, communicating with their radios and taking photographs. Tommy stood at the corner with a flag, for about 15 minutes, and Flagger Fred Merridew stood nearby, with a camera.
Fred concluded that the museum had most likely called the police and he and Tommy returned to the sidewalk.
Sure enough, a few minutes later, the Richmond Police arrived. Tommy and TriPp left their flags on the sidewalk and walked towards the museum entrance to use the restroom facilities. The Richmond Police Officers and a VMFA security guard stopped them on the walkway. The link below is to a recording of the conversation. The angry, loud voice you hear at the beginning is that of VMFA museum guard, Robert Harrison. He is the "cause I said so" guard from the confrontation with Flagger Jimmy Jones and the guard who likes to call TriPp and Susan by name and make intimidating comments. The other two cordial voices are the Richmond Police officers. What they have to say about why the VMFA called them shocked even the most battle hardened Flaggers.
Listen here:
www.vaflaggers.com/
It seems that Mrs. Martha Van Scheck, President General of the United Daughters of the Confederacy, filed a Trespassing Enforcement Authorization Letter with the Richmond Police just days after the incident in which the UDC called the police on the Va Flaggers for standing on the edge of their curb to take a photo. As you can clearly hear in the audio, the Richmond Police informed the Va Flaggers that, according to the instructions they received from the UDC, “You are welcome…your person…but they don’t want the flags on there,…so just don’t take the flags on there.” They told us that the letter was filed specifically for the Flaggers, to prevent us from carrying Confederate flags on the grounds of the United Daughters of the Confederacy. They further stated that by the authority the UDC has granted, Flaggers will be arrested if they are caught carrying a Confederate flag on the UDC grounds. This is in direct contradiction to earlier claims by UDC officials that the issues with trespassing had nothing to do with the Va Flaggers, or our flags.
For those who may not be aware of what has occurred over the past few months, I have posted links to the correspondence between the Va Flaggers and the UDC.
Here is the first communication, requesting Battle Flags to be raised in support of the Confederate War Memorial and the Va Flaggers:
http://www.vaflaggers.com/
This is the response we received:
http://www.vaflaggers.com/
Here is our initial report from the March 10 incident:
http://www.vaflaggers.com/
The statement issued by the President General, UDC:
http://hqudc.org/about/
...and our response:
http://www.vaflaggers.com/
h...ttp://leg1.state.va.us/
The weather was absolutely gorgeous, with temperatures in the high 70’s, lots of sunshine, and a beautiful breeze to lift the flags! We had the pleasure of welcoming first time flagger Everette Ellis to the Boulevard, who carried a flag that flew 50 years ago, during the Centennial of the WBTS.
At one point, late in the afternoon, Cecil “Tommy” Thomas walked over to stand on the corner we call “Camp Grayson”. For months, we stood at this corner, which was a great spot for allowing us to explain to museum visitors what the VMFA had done. Since the March 10 incident with the United Daughters of the Confederacy, we have lost the use of that corner, even though the UDC told us that it is not actually their property. If we stand there, museum guards usually come out and tell us to move. This time, the guards came out of the building, but did not approach Tommy. They simply stood by the museum entrance, communicating with their radios and taking photographs. Tommy stood at the corner with a flag, for about 15 minutes, and Flagger Fred Merridew stood nearby, with a camera.
Fred concluded that the museum had most likely called the police and he and Tommy returned to the sidewalk.
Sure enough, a few minutes later, the Richmond Police arrived. Tommy and TriPp left their flags on the sidewalk and walked towards the museum entrance to use the restroom facilities. The Richmond Police Officers and a VMFA security guard stopped them on the walkway. The link below is to a recording of the conversation. The angry, loud voice you hear at the beginning is that of VMFA museum guard, Robert Harrison. He is the "cause I said so" guard from the confrontation with Flagger Jimmy Jones and the guard who likes to call TriPp and Susan by name and make intimidating comments. The other two cordial voices are the Richmond Police officers. What they have to say about why the VMFA called them shocked even the most battle hardened Flaggers.
Listen here:
www.vaflaggers.com/
It seems that Mrs. Martha Van Scheck, President General of the United Daughters of the Confederacy, filed a Trespassing Enforcement Authorization Letter with the Richmond Police just days after the incident in which the UDC called the police on the Va Flaggers for standing on the edge of their curb to take a photo. As you can clearly hear in the audio, the Richmond Police informed the Va Flaggers that, according to the instructions they received from the UDC, “You are welcome…your person…but they don’t want the flags on there,…so just don’t take the flags on there.” They told us that the letter was filed specifically for the Flaggers, to prevent us from carrying Confederate flags on the grounds of the United Daughters of the Confederacy. They further stated that by the authority the UDC has granted, Flaggers will be arrested if they are caught carrying a Confederate flag on the UDC grounds. This is in direct contradiction to earlier claims by UDC officials that the issues with trespassing had nothing to do with the Va Flaggers, or our flags.
For those who may not be aware of what has occurred over the past few months, I have posted links to the correspondence between the Va Flaggers and the UDC.
Here is the first communication, requesting Battle Flags to be raised in support of the Confederate War Memorial and the Va Flaggers:
http://www.vaflaggers.com/
This is the response we received:
http://www.vaflaggers.com/
Here is our initial report from the March 10 incident:
http://www.vaflaggers.com/
The statement issued by the President General, UDC:
http://hqudc.org/about/
...and our response:
http://www.vaflaggers.com/
Love shown by the UDC....NOT!!!!
2012/05/12
Jamie Funkhouser updated his status (Reidsville)
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2012/05/08
Holding the line, Winston-Salem, NC
As I do every year I started the day by getting in uniform and standing before the monument in downtown Winston-Salem. It was a warm shady Sunday morning and I was able to catch the crowds of people as they head to church. Things were quiet this year as it has given me time to reflect on the things that have gone on in my life since the last time I stood at that monument. Reidsville, Lexington, Richmond, so many stories, new friends and so many missions to defend the good name of the Southern soldier. As I looked up at the monument that stood there since 1905 It has given great pride in knowing that monument stands in honor of my ancestors who gave their all. I couldn't help but shed a tear.
As the afternoon rolled around and the departing church crowds were calmed down by I packed things up and headed for the Confederate Memorial service just a few blocks down in the Salem Cemetery. For the first time during the day the sun peaked its head out just in time for the gathering of the honor guard and the people who had come to pay their respects. The service was done beautifully as a good crowd and almost 20 reenactors payed their respects to the Confederate Dead. The honor roll was called, a speech was given about the 1808 Confederate Veterans Reunion, the UDC awarded medals to past and present war veterans, and the honor guard presented an Earth rattling volley over the resting places of the Confederate veterans. It was a wonderful service.
As the formal part of the service was over the honor guard continued their own way to pay tribute to the veterans of the war. As they marched through the cemetery stopping at notable Confederate officers graves and presented arms and fired a volley for each of them. After the volleys were done and the salutes were given the men marched back to the Confederate plot to pay one last respect for the day. The men fell in, removed their caps and "In the spirit of our Confederate ancestors who have gone before us", they sang Dixie.
2012/05/04
Confederate Memorial Day, April 26, 2012
I stood in the middle of Franklin square downtown and for many hours paid tribute to our Confederate ancestors from Heard County and educating passersby on Confederate Memorial Day. It wasn't until sometime after coverage of his story was posted in the Times Journal, a local Franklin based paper, on Tuesday that lead to the appearance of the wreath and 1st National flag at the County Confederate marker. I then solemnly and proudly placed a Soldiers Flag next to the 7 star Confederate Government flag that doesn't recognize Virginia, Tennessee, North Carolina, and Arkansas.
I then solemnly and proudly placed a Soldiers Flag next to the 7 star Confederate Government flag that doesn't recognize Virginia, Tennessee, North Carolina, and Arkansas"
Today, April 26th, 2012, is, since 1874 and according not only to Georgia Statute, but by official proclamation known as Confederate Memorial Day. The proclamations come from Centralhatchee, Ephesus, Franklin and Heard County, and are perpetual. On this day, I traveled to Yellow Dirt Cemetery inside Georgia Power's Plant Wansley to visit the soldiers, and check on the Battle Flags placed for the 2nd time back in October 2011. After taking about 15 pictures and being satisfied all is ok with the graves and decorations thereon, I made my way down to Franklin town square. In the middle of the square is a large Gazebo. In 'front' of this are multiple panels of engraved bricks with veterans names and a plaque designating the walls as the Heard County Veterans Park. I arrived at 1pm, and put on my Confederate uniform and attached my 4x4 ANV CBF and began walking around the gazebo inside the circle.I am aware that the old Heard County Rangers SCV camp folded back in 2007-2008, and the only Confederate presence is the small but respectable Confederate Marker on the 'back side' of the gazebo. It seems that the citizenry based on my limited time there are starving for something Confederate. I met with and spoke to 4 women, and all took pictures of me. 2 said they had heard from their grandmother they had "someone in their family who fought for our side, in Georgia, uh, they wore gray!" 1 woman stopped her car in the road and took my picture and yelled thanks. The other said she was a proud southern woman and related her experience at a recent reenactment. 2 young boys of about 10 years of age spent a few minutes with me, one saying he was from Ireland, and I mentioned General Cleburne. The other said he was related to some General whose name was Covington, which is what the city west of Atlanta is named for. I told him I didnt think that General Covington was a Confederate, but that the TV show "In The Heat Of The Night" was filmed there. One man approached me and began to make pro confederate comments, but then told me of his trip to Andersonville and just began trashing the Confederates, and no matter what I told him (Elmira, Camp Douglas) he had been reconstructed. Another man said he could join the SCV but due to it's being so 'radical' he would rather not. Dozens of horn honks and appreciative waves were the theme of the day vehicle-wise. A few other folks came by and talked and left educated. One man walked up and shook my hand and thanked me for being there. Heard County it appears does need some outreach Confederatly speaking, and I was saddened not to find a Battle Flag at the marker. Thanks and God Bless Billy Bearden Haralson Invincibles #673 Sons of Confederate Veterans.
By: Billy Bearden
2012/05/03
Virginia Flaggers - Flagging Politicians, Scalawags, and Traitors!
On Wednesday, April 18th, the Va Flaggers joined the Edmund Ruffin Fireaters, SCV, at the 64th Annual Shad Planking in Wakefield, Virginia. 10 Flaggers carried flags in a VERY Confederate friendly environment! We talked to HUNDREDS of folks about the Va Flaggers and what we have been doing in the Commonwealth, gave out flyers and cards, and spoke with political candidates who were on hand, EXCEPT for George Allen, whose posse made sure he stayed a safe distance from us and our flags!
We were asked over and over again to pose for pictures with our flags and support was overwhelming! Kind of nice to spend an afternoon with so many people saluting, smiling, and whistling Dixie!
After the photo of Grayson and Trevor and their Confederate flags made the press last year, signs were posted to keep flags and flaggers away from the stage, but it did not stop us from working the crowd, and a great time was had by all.
************************************************
The following night, Thursday, April 19th,
found the Flaggers back at the VMFA. 11 Va Flaggers were on hand to
stand in protest of the removal of Confederate Battle flags from the
Confederate War Memorial and in honor of our ancestors and our flags.
The weather was good, and while traffic was light, good conversations
were held and the colors were advanced for all passers-by to see.
********************************************************
Just two days later, Saturday, April 21st, and we are back at the VMFA! A BEAUTIFUL day on the Boulevard, as 19 Va Flaggers gathered to forward the colors and protest the VMFA. A few of us posed in front of the Confederate Memorial Chapel, just minutes before security caught us on the grounds and came out to chase us off.
Traffic was very heavy and at many points during the afternoon, we were engaged in more than one conversation at a time, and most were VERY positive. We were fortunate to capture a few of these on video...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T3qCYBfi6Swhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MaVBkruysEk
****************************************
Wednesday afternoon, April 25th found 14 FLAGGERS on the Boulevard! Early on, the sidewalks were packed with Garden Week attendees and these ladies were almost all very supportive and vowed to "march right in there and give the museum a piece of their minds". LOTS of good convos!
Later, Jimmy Jones and Frank Anthony Yates tried to recapture Camp Grayson. They were eventually repelled by a couple of very unhappy museum guards, and the city cops were called to the scene. They, however we're repelled when Tripp Lewis and Jimmy Jones posed for pics in front of the squad cars.
In the meantime, Jimmy Creech showed off his new and improved flag display, had many occasions to use the dixie horn, and fixed some mean BLT's for the hard working Flaggers. Fresh pork rinds from NC topped off the evening. Thanks to EVERYONE who came out to forward the colors!!!!
We were able to get video of the Museum Security removing the Flaggers and another of a conversation at the Chapel...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P0UFz_3pabQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Adai5z8OiJI
More info. can also be found on our public FaceBook page, "Confederate Flaggers: Stand, Fight, and Never Back Down".
http://www.facebook.com/groups/ConfederataeFlaggers/
Follow me on Twitter
https://twitter.com/#!/VaFlagger
RETURN the flags!
RESTORE the honor!
Susan Hathaway
Va Flaggers
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