A native of Georgia, Calvin Johnson, Chairman of the National and Georgia Division, Sons of Confederate Veterans, Confederate Veterans Confederate History and Heritage Month Program
Did you know that the first Memorial Day in America was held in the South in honor of both the soldiers of Union Blue and Confederate Gray?
Some folks call the War Between the States, 1861-1865, a lost cause but stories of the heroic--brave men and women who stood for Southern Independence are still cherished in the hearts and souls of many people throughout the South.
Why do people remember?
This year marks the 56th anniversary of the Walt Disney classic movie "The Great Locomotive Chase" starring Fess Parker and Jeffrey Hunter and…..
April 12, 2012, is the Sesquicentennial-150th Anniversary of America’s "Great Locomotive Chase" that made "The General" famous.
A re-premiere showing of this family classic will take place in Marietta, Georgia on April 12th at the beautifully restored Strand Theater in Marietta’s Historic Square.
Saturday, March 17, 2012 is Saint Patrick’s Day and the 184th birthday of Patrick Ronayne Cleburne.
Do you remember the 1961 weekly television series, entitled “The Americans?” This wonderful-educational show centered around two brothers who fought on opposite sides of the War Between the States—Confederate Corporal Jeff Canfield played by Richard Davalos and Union Corporal Ben Canfield played by Darryl Hickman. Their Father, Pa Canfield, was played by the late great John McIntire. The wonderful theme music was produced by Hugo Friedhofer and original music by Bernard Hermann. Why don’t they make shows like this anymore?
When did you first see the movie ‘I’d Climb the Highest Mountain?’
Cleveland, Georgia is home to the Old Stovall Covered Bridge that spans Chickamauga Creek. This 1890s structure appeared in the movie I'd Climb the Highest Mountain.
This wonderful movie was made during the 1950s, when families spent quality time at the movies where Coca Cola was a nickel, hot buttered popcorn a quarter, and for a mere quarter you might see a double-feature film, cartoon and newsreel. Parents did not worry about the sexual, bad language or graphic scenes of the early films because most were family friendly.
Stephen D. Lee, Commander-in-Chief, United Confederate Veterans, said of John B. Gordon:
‘He was a devout and humble Christian Gentlemen. I know of no man more beloved in the South, and he was probably the most popular Southern man among the people of the North.’ -----February is Black History Month. It is also the birthday month of George Washington, our first president. And it is the birthday month of John Brown Gordon of Georgia.
Sir Winston Churchill once remarked, "Lee was the noblest American who had ever lived and one of the greatest commanders known to the annals of war."
Dear students, teachers, parents, church, community leaders, historians and folks everywhere, January is the birthday month of War Between the States Generals; James Longstreet born on January 8, 1821, Thomas Jonathan ‘Stonewall’ Jackson born on January 21, 1824, George Pickett born on January 28, 1825 and Thursday, January 19, 2012, is the 205th birthday of General Robert E. Lee, whose memory is still dear in the hearts of people everywhere.
What happened to Christmas?
Christmas was, once, a wonderful time that was celebrated with family, friends and dinner at Grandma's house. Grandpa would gather the children around the fire place and tell them the story about Jesus Christ who was born on Christmas Day.
Some people, now, call it a "holiday." People stand in line at at malls, after Thanksgiving, then rush through the doors to buy, buy and buy more.
Did you know that Elvis Presley had Cherokee ancestry and November is American-Indian Month?
Let me tell you about an exciting time before the Beatles, Rolling Stones, Dixie Cups, and Diana Ross and the Supremes came on the music scene with their wonderful music.
In 1956, Americans loved President Dwight Eisenhower, Fats Domino sang “I found my thrill on Blueberry Hill”, Buddy Holly and the Crickets appeared at New York’s Paramount Theater and “Love Me Tender” starring Richard Egan, Debra Paget and introducing Elvis Presley premiered at the Paramount Theater that is located at 43rd Street and Broadway in New York’s Times Square Theater District.
September 15th -October 15th is Hispanic History Month and the Educational Committee of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, a national-historical and educational organization, has included an informative Hispanic History Month fact sheet about those who served in the Confederate and Union Armies.
"The death of Moses Ezekiel, the distinguished and greatly loved American sculptor, who lived in Rome for more than forty years, caused universal regret here"---1921, The New York Times Dispatch from Rome.
Do your children know who Sir Moses J. Ezekiel was?
Do you remember the crisp-cool autumn days of high school and college football when….
The Ole Miss Cheerleaders and school Mascot Colonel Reb lifted the spirit of fans who waved Confederate flags and cheered to the band playing Dixie? Today, however, Colonel Reb has been replaced and flag waving discouraged. Some call for sensitivity and understanding toward some people but apparently this respect does not apply toward Southern-Americans who love God and are proud of the old traditions of their native South land of which many books and movies are written.
The following should be included in American History studies in schools.
Mrs. Daisy Anderson was the last widow of a Black Union soldier whose husband Private Robert Ball Anderson served in the 125th United States Colored Troops. She and Mrs. Alberta Martin, the last widow of a Confederate soldier, met in Gettysburg, Pa. in 1997. Both of these grand ladies have sadly passed over the river to rest in the shade of the trees.
The Confederate flag, which continues to come under attack, was the proud banner of Black, White, Hispanic, Jewish and Native American sons and daughters of Dixie who stood nobly in defense of their homeland and way of life during the War Between the States. Once upon a time neither the Confederate nor the Union Veterans nor their blood stained battle flag needed any defense.
America will celebrate her 235th birthday on July 4th!
Fifty years had passed since the Battle of Gettysburg, July 1st- 3rd, 1863, when the Veterans of Blue and Gray braved the summer heat to meet again in Gettysburg.
America celebrates her 137th birthday, nearly a century ago, when….
While they lived, few criticized the men of Union Blue and Confederate Gray.
Let me tell you of the Arlington National Cemetery where this nation honored the men who fought for the Confederacy, the Union and those men and women who fought our nations' wars since the War Between the States.
Did you know there are 245,000 service men and women, including their families, buried at Arlington?
Monday May 30th is Memorial Day
Jefferson Davis, born June 3, 1808, served the United States as a soldier, statesmen and Secretary of War. He was also the first and only President of the Confederacy.
On Sunday, May 28, 1893, a few days before "Memorial Day" in New Orleans, a story began that overshadowed all other news events.