The Lee-Jackson weekend
in Lexington was an incredible experience for all who attended, above and beyond
all expectations. We are working on an extensive report, but wanted to share a
bit more about this photo, which has quickly become one our all-time
favorites...
We had planned this long before we heard of the restrictions put in place by VMI this year. The fact that the annual Lee-Jackson Day parade was not ending on their grounds meant a quick change of plans, so that we put the word out to gather after the service at the LEE Chapel, instead of immediately following the parade.
At the conclusion of the the Chapel service, we trudged up the hill to the parade grounds at VMI, and gathered in front of the Jackson statue, at the Jackson arch. Unlike previous years, there were several units of Keydets drilling around the grounds. As we unfurled the 22 x 32 flag, and positioned it for a photo, we noticed that the units had stopped drilling to watch. After several minutes of photos and quiet reflection, we launched into a rousing chorus of Dixie. In years past, the echo of the song off of the high building was enough to send goose bumps up and down all who gathered, but NOTHING prepared us for what happened next...
...as we sang, many of the Keydets joined in the chorus, one by one. Dixie's Land echoed loud and strong across the parade grounds and on to the campus, and when we finished, we turned to find that many of the windows had opened and Keydets were gathered, joining the salute. They added their voices to a Rebel Yell at the close of the song that was extended in length and loud enough that it was certainly heard by Jackson himself in the heavens. Shortly after that, a Confederate Battle Flag appeared from one of the windows.
We were honored to be a part of this moment of remembering Jackson on the grounds that he knew so well, and pleased to find that despite what appears to be attempts by the administration to remove the proud legacy that Jackson and the Confederacy have bestowed on the school, the student body still has a healthy respect and admiration for the man who made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of Virginia.
GOD BLESS GEN. JACKSON, AND GOD BLESS THE BOYS OF THE INSTITUTE!
Susan Hathaway
Va Flaggers
*Many thanks to Judy Smith Photography for the wonderful photo, and to our friend Greg Randall for joining us and lending his support and handsome likeness of the general!
http://vaflaggers.blogspot.com/2014/01/lee-jackson-day-2014-honoring-gen.html
Va Flaggers Upcoming Events:
Tuesday, March 4th, 2014: Susan will be speaking at the March meeting of the R.E Lee Camp #1589, SCV. Dolce Vita Italian Restaurant, 2401 Colony Crossing Place, Midlothian, VA 23112. Dinner at 6:00 p.m. and meeting at 7:00 p.m.
Thursday, March 20th, 2014: Susan will be traveling to Columbia, SC to speak at the March meeting of the Lt. Gen. Wade Hampton Camp #273, SCV, Columbia SC. Seawell’s Banquet Hall, 1125 Rosewood DR. Dinner at 6:00, Meeting at 7:00.
Tuesday, March 25th: Susan will be speaking at the March meeting of the Stonewall Camp #380, SCV. Lillian's Seafood Restaurant, 1312 Geo. Washington Hwy N., Chesapeake, Virginia, 6:30 p.m. www.stonewallcamp380.com
Saturday, April 12th: Susan will be traveling to Stone Mountain, Georgia to attend the Annual Confederate Day Memorial Service.
Monday, April 14th: Susan will be the guest speaker at the April meeting of the Lt. James T. Woodward Camp #1399, Warner Robins, Georgia. Sonny's BBQ, 811 Russell Parkway, Warner Robins, GA. Supper at 6:00, meeting at 7:00.April 19, 2014, 2014: Susan will be traveling to Quincy, FL to speak at the Confederate Memorial Day Service at the Soldier's Cemetery, sponsored by the Finley's Brigade, SCV.
Saturday, April 26th, 2014: Susan will be speaking at the Delaware Confederate Memorial Ceremony, Marvel Carriage Museum, 510 South Bedford Street, Georgetown, Delaware, Time: 11AM - 2PM
We had planned this long before we heard of the restrictions put in place by VMI this year. The fact that the annual Lee-Jackson Day parade was not ending on their grounds meant a quick change of plans, so that we put the word out to gather after the service at the LEE Chapel, instead of immediately following the parade.
At the conclusion of the the Chapel service, we trudged up the hill to the parade grounds at VMI, and gathered in front of the Jackson statue, at the Jackson arch. Unlike previous years, there were several units of Keydets drilling around the grounds. As we unfurled the 22 x 32 flag, and positioned it for a photo, we noticed that the units had stopped drilling to watch. After several minutes of photos and quiet reflection, we launched into a rousing chorus of Dixie. In years past, the echo of the song off of the high building was enough to send goose bumps up and down all who gathered, but NOTHING prepared us for what happened next...
...as we sang, many of the Keydets joined in the chorus, one by one. Dixie's Land echoed loud and strong across the parade grounds and on to the campus, and when we finished, we turned to find that many of the windows had opened and Keydets were gathered, joining the salute. They added their voices to a Rebel Yell at the close of the song that was extended in length and loud enough that it was certainly heard by Jackson himself in the heavens. Shortly after that, a Confederate Battle Flag appeared from one of the windows.
We were honored to be a part of this moment of remembering Jackson on the grounds that he knew so well, and pleased to find that despite what appears to be attempts by the administration to remove the proud legacy that Jackson and the Confederacy have bestowed on the school, the student body still has a healthy respect and admiration for the man who made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of Virginia.
GOD BLESS GEN. JACKSON, AND GOD BLESS THE BOYS OF THE INSTITUTE!
Susan Hathaway
Va Flaggers
*Many thanks to Judy Smith Photography for the wonderful photo, and to our friend Greg Randall for joining us and lending his support and handsome likeness of the general!
http://vaflaggers.blogspot.com/2014/01/lee-jackson-day-2014-honoring-gen.html
Va Flaggers Upcoming Events:
Saturday, February 1st, 2014: Susan will travel to Statesboro, GA
to speak at the Lee-Jackson Banquet, held by the Ogeechee Rifles, Camp #941,
SCV. RJ's Restaurant, 454 South Main St. (US 301 S.)
@ 6 pm for the meal, preliminaries @ 7 pm and the program immediately following.
Seating limited to 125. Ticket information forthcoming at a later
date.
Thursday, February 13th, 2014: Susan will be speaking at the
February meeting of the
Armistead-Hill-Goode, Camp #749
SCV, Lois's Kitchen on Hwy 92, Chase City, VA at 6:30 pm.
Saturday,
February 22nd,
2014: Susan will be speaking at the February meeting of the Rev.
Beverly Tucker Lacy Camp #2141, SCV, Fredericksburg, VA. 4:00 p.m., Perkins
Restaurant, 10 Simpson Rd.Tuesday, March 4th, 2014: Susan will be speaking at the March meeting of the R.E Lee Camp #1589, SCV. Dolce Vita Italian Restaurant, 2401 Colony Crossing Place, Midlothian, VA 23112. Dinner at 6:00 p.m. and meeting at 7:00 p.m.
Thursday, March 20th, 2014: Susan will be traveling to Columbia, SC to speak at the March meeting of the Lt. Gen. Wade Hampton Camp #273, SCV, Columbia SC. Seawell’s Banquet Hall, 1125 Rosewood DR. Dinner at 6:00, Meeting at 7:00.
Tuesday, March 25th: Susan will be speaking at the March meeting of the Stonewall Camp #380, SCV. Lillian's Seafood Restaurant, 1312 Geo. Washington Hwy N., Chesapeake, Virginia, 6:30 p.m. www.stonewallcamp380.com
Saturday, April 12th: Susan will be traveling to Stone Mountain, Georgia to attend the Annual Confederate Day Memorial Service.
Monday, April 14th: Susan will be the guest speaker at the April meeting of the Lt. James T. Woodward Camp #1399, Warner Robins, Georgia. Sonny's BBQ, 811 Russell Parkway, Warner Robins, GA. Supper at 6:00, meeting at 7:00.April 19, 2014, 2014: Susan will be traveling to Quincy, FL to speak at the Confederate Memorial Day Service at the Soldier's Cemetery, sponsored by the Finley's Brigade, SCV.
Saturday, April 26th, 2014: Susan will be speaking at the Delaware Confederate Memorial Ceremony, Marvel Carriage Museum, 510 South Bedford Street, Georgetown, Delaware, Time: 11AM - 2PM
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