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| The Dixie Cross banner flying in Columbia, SC. |
Greetings and Salutations, Y'all!
On Saturday, March 4th, my travels once again took me south to Columbia, the capitol of my home state of South Carolina, to attend a small service in honor of Confederate Flag Day at the State Capitol.
If y'all might recall from a previous blog post on this site, Confederate Flag Day marks the day that the very first Confederate banner flew over what was then the Confederate Capitol at Montgomery, Alabama on Monday, March 4, 1861.
While not recognized as an official State Holiday in South Carolina, the Sons of Confederate Veterans and United Daughters of the Confederacy as groups do recognize the significance of the day and try to honor it properly our of respect for both the old flag of the independent Southland, and certainly in respect for the men who died under it in war.
Before heading to the capitol building, I stopped over at historic Elmwood Cemetery to visit the Confederate Soldiers graves there and pay my respects. Not only was the Dixie Cross banner in full view and flying proudly in the cool breeze, but so were several Confederate flags that remain in display in the background.
As I do each May during the annual Confederate Memorial Day services at Elmwood Cemetery, I walked among the graves of the dead, reading each individual name and taking the time to show respect for the lives of each one of them, many buried far from the home of their birth, and some known but to God.
I remind myself that the flag flying above their graves is not just a living Southern symbol to those of us living today who honor it properly and with respect, but to them it represented home and family, the very things that the Confederate citizen soldier was defending more than anything else -- even the Confederate government itself.
The flag today for many of us links those men and us as much as family bloodlines do. It reminds us that we are all Southerners and we come from a proud lineage.
After leaving Elmwood, I parked my car near the capitol building and made my way across the street to historic Trinity Episcopal Church to visit one of South Carolina's greatest sons, and a personal Southern war hero of mine: Lt. General Wade Hampton III. General Hampton's grave, along with many members of his family, are buried in crypts in the graveyard of the church where he attended services after the War and later as Governor of South Carolina.
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| The grave of Wade Hampton III, Confederate General, US Senator, and SC Governor. |
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| Monument and statue to Lt. Gen. Wade Hampton III on the North Side of the SC Statehouse grounds. At the base of the monument are markers dedicated to all of the battles he fought with General Lee's Army of Northern Virginia as a cavalry leader. |
About 43 people showed up for the event, and I am thankful to say that despite recent events in other major cities no protesters or hecklers were present. There were a few curious onlookers and at least one small group of college students did come over and talk to a few of our members -- the exchange was pleasant.
The service was simple taking about the origins of Confederate Flag Day, the importance of the modern Dixie Cross and the need to preserve its true symbolism against modern forces of white supremacist hatred and anti-Southern political correctness.
At the end of the service the group marched around the capitol building three times, US and Confederate banners flying.
The following photos were taken during the memorial service.
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| South Carolina Division SCV Commander, Mr. Leland Summers. |
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| My final and probably the best shot taken of the flags with General Hampton's statue. |
Once again I hope you enjoyed my photos and this blog post.
Until next time have a wonderful and blessed Dixie Day and y'all come back now, ya hear?
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