The Lt. Commander's Confederate Comments:
As we begin our preparations for the 150th anniversary of our late
unpleasantness it is not too soon to contemplate what the world will be like
when the 200th rolls around. The world will be far different but human nature
will remain the same.
Most of us will not be in a position to influence events at that far off
time but the organization that we leave behind will. Should our legacy become
a small and passive thing then the world will beat a path to our door just to
wipe their feet on our ancestor’s name and fame.
It is comforting to know that the men of the South Carolina Division of
the SCV have other plans. We envision a point in the future when the valor of
our ancestors will be accepted as the purist standard against which soldiers
can be measured. To insure this vision we need to see that the truth is known
by future generations and a good place to start would be with having our
public schools adopt as their textbook the Post-Courier booklet of all the
newspaper articles that were in the Charleston newspapers during the
Centennial which covered events in South Carolina during the WBS.
It is well to remember that friends are good to have on the day of battle
and with this in mind we have created a whole new class of recognition that
will be known as the PALMETTO GUARD. This was the name of a
prominent militia prior to the War Between The States and when they
mustered into Confederate service they did so as entire units proudly
displaying on their Confederate uniforms the distinctive Palmetto Tree
patches that were sown by hand using threads of Gold.
To be included you recruit two new Compatriots who join the Division
during 2008 and you will be given an historically accurate reproduction of the
gold Palmetto Tree patch. This will make you a member of the Palmetto
Guard which will be a worthy objective for all of us. In addition you would
then be in a position to qualify to be awarded a second even larger gold
Palmetto Tree by recruiting just two more new Compatriots for a total of four
who join during 2008. The Larger Patch is the insignia of a militia unit also.
In my short time as your Lt. Commander I have been amazed at the
high number of good quality men who are going to the SCV web-site and
asking for information on membership. As we improve our response time and
extended follow up this can lead to new regiments taking the field.
The strength of the SCV is in the Camps and the individual Compatriot
living their lives in simple obedience to duty as they see it is the strength of the
Camp.
As South Carolina goes so goes the South. As the South goes so goes the
Nation and as our Nation goes So goes the World. In South Carolina we are
going to win because the SCV is going to grow and everything is going to work
out right because of you.
SEMPER SOUTHERN DON GORDON
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