The only "real" opposition to the I-95 Battle Flag
came in the form of a group called "United RVA". Although they could muster
only a little over 200 members on their FaceBook group, nearly EVERY news story
concerning the flag mentioned them, and the fact that they were able to get
20,000 + signatures on a MOVEON.ORG petition. Most of the signers were not from
the Richmond area, much less the South, and the wording of the petition was
misleading and incendiary. One of their organizers, Richmond Attorney Brian
Cannon, gave the following statement:
"The Confederate Flag is at best a symbol of four years of our 400 years of history in Virginia," said Cannon. "It doesn't represent us at all. At best, that flag is a divisive symbol in a community. At worst, it's a symbol of hatred, bigotry, slavery, and an unwelcome sign to Richmond."
Their grand protest on Saturday was...wait for it...to raise a huge U.S. Flag on a crane in downtown Richmond. I guess that since every local poll showed OVERWHELMING support for the I-95 Battle Flag the media had to find something to highlight to try and stir up trouble. They have also reported recently that they will try and raise money to permanently erect the flag on I-95, as a "protest" to the Memorial Confederate Flag that was raised.
For the life of me, I can't understand how flying a super sized U.S. Flag is supposed to somehow "bother" us?!?!? While I am the proud descendant of 4 Confederate Soldiers, I am ALSO the proud descendant of men who fought for the United States in every war since and have no issue whatsoever with the proper display of a U.S. Flag.
In 1941, my four Great-Uncles all left their Mother's home on North Avenue in Richmond to serve honorably in WWII. They were the Grandsons of a Confederate Veteran.
Southerners have always been among the most patriotic Americans. If we are to believe the media, it looks like that we now may have sparked a wave of patriotism in the Capital of the Confederacy. WHO'DA THUNK IT?
...kinda makes me REAL proud to be a Virginia Flagger. :)
Fly it high, "United RVA"!
Susan Hathaway
Va Flaggers
"The Confederate Flag is at best a symbol of four years of our 400 years of history in Virginia," said Cannon. "It doesn't represent us at all. At best, that flag is a divisive symbol in a community. At worst, it's a symbol of hatred, bigotry, slavery, and an unwelcome sign to Richmond."
Their grand protest on Saturday was...wait for it...to raise a huge U.S. Flag on a crane in downtown Richmond. I guess that since every local poll showed OVERWHELMING support for the I-95 Battle Flag the media had to find something to highlight to try and stir up trouble. They have also reported recently that they will try and raise money to permanently erect the flag on I-95, as a "protest" to the Memorial Confederate Flag that was raised.
For the life of me, I can't understand how flying a super sized U.S. Flag is supposed to somehow "bother" us?!?!? While I am the proud descendant of 4 Confederate Soldiers, I am ALSO the proud descendant of men who fought for the United States in every war since and have no issue whatsoever with the proper display of a U.S. Flag.
In 1941, my four Great-Uncles all left their Mother's home on North Avenue in Richmond to serve honorably in WWII. They were the Grandsons of a Confederate Veteran.
L-R,
Granville David Jenkins, Wesley William Jenkins, John Sylvanius Jenkins, and
Ryland Sylvester Jenkins. Uncle Granville was with the 24th Infantry in the
Pacific. He was awarded a medal for bravery and came home to be killed by a
drunk driver. Uncle Wesley was with the 2nd
Marine Div. in the Pacific. Uncle "Tootsie" was with the 90th Infantry in
Europe. He was the last surviving brother and died last year, at 95.Uncle Ryland
was with the 9th (Army) Air Force in Europe.
Since the American Revolution, the Southern
Soldier has served with distinction and honor in EVERY war in which he was
called. Duty and sacrifice are in our DNA. It would
do these folks well to remember that the most decorated soldiers in both WWI and
WWII were...that's right, Southerners...who served among thousands of other sons
and grandsons...of Confederate Soldiers. Southerners have always been among the most patriotic Americans. If we are to believe the media, it looks like that we now may have sparked a wave of patriotism in the Capital of the Confederacy. WHO'DA THUNK IT?
...kinda makes me REAL proud to be a Virginia Flagger. :)
Fly it high, "United RVA"!
Susan Hathaway
Va Flaggers
United RVA, you do not represent a united Richmond or anything else. I have a much longer history in Richmond and in Virginia than you Liberal potheads, and the Confederate flag is a symbol, yes a symbol of the many honorable, brave men and women who defended Virginia and the South, against a Yankee Invasion, all for the purpose to stop the South from becoming INDEPENDENT. So, more flags is the desire, more flags to inform Virginians of our heritage.
ReplyDeleteUnited RVA, you do not represent a united Richmond or anything else. I have a much longer history in Richmond and in Virginia than you Liberal potheads, and the Confederate flag is a symbol, yes a symbol of the many honorable, brave men and women who defended Virginia and the South, against a Yankee Invasion, all for the purpose to stop the South from becoming INDEPENDENT. So, more flags is the desire, more flags to inform Virginians of our heritage.
ReplyDelete