Memorial Service For Mr. Clifford B. Hamm -- North Carolina's Last REAL Confederate Son

Mr. Clifford "Cliff" Blair Hamm at a Confederate
Memorial Day event wearing his Real Son medal
in May, 2013.

On Saturday, September 28th of this year, I was honored to attend a memorial service for the State of North Carolina's last Real Son of a Confederate Veteran, Mr. Clifford "Cliff" Blair Hamm (1923 - 2019). 

Mr. Hamm was born on Wednesday, August 22, 1923 in Gastonia, North Carolina to Mr. John Berry Hamm Jr., a Confederate Veteran who served in Company D, 2nd NC Junior Reserves from Cleveland County (NC), and Mrs. Annie Gillespie Hamm. Mr. Hamm's grandfather, Mr. John Berry Hamm Sr., was also a Confederate Veteran who served in Company H, 4th NC Senior Reserves also from Cleveland County.

Clifford Hamm grew up during the Great Depression and joined the United States Marine Corps during World War II (1939 - 1945). He fought with the Sixth Marine Division among the victors at the Battle of Okinawa (April 1 - June 22, 1945). After the war, he came home and married his wife, Inez Davis Hamm. 

Mr. Hamm passed away peacefully on Monday, August 5, 2019 at the home of his son, Greg Hamm. Mr. Hamm was a member of Gastonia Masonic Lodge #369 AF&AM, Marine Corps League, Gaston County Honor Guard and World War II Last Man's Club. He was past president of the South Gastonia School PTA and was a Deacon and Elder of Olney Presbyterian Church in Gastonia, where he was laid to rest in the churchyard on Saturday, August 10, 2019. 

Mr. Hamm is believed to have been the last Real Son of a Confederate Veteran in North Carolina and a Life Member of the Major Charles Q. Petty Camp #872 Sons of Confederate Veterans. 

His compatriots and members of the Major Petty Camp and the North Carolina Division SCV and the 16th South Carolina Color Guard of Honor Camp #36 from Greenville, South Carolina honored Mr. Hamm at his grave site with an honor guard and a beautiful canteen ceremony. 

The following are the photos I took of the event.

Olney Presbyterian Church, Gastonia, North Carolina.

Members of the Hamm family being escorted by honor guard.

Mr. Greg Hamm, proud son of Clifford Hamm and
member of the Major Charles Q. Petty Camp SCV.
Mr. Hamm is a Real Grandson.

Commander Ronnie Smith Roach, Army of
Northern Virginia, Sons of Confederate Veterans.

The family of Clifford B. Hamm placing the United States Flag and Confederate Battle Flag at his grave with the 16th South Carolina Color Guard of Honor.

The Canteen Ceremony preformed by the 16th South Carolina Color Guard of Honor has a long and interesting history.

As the War Between The States wore on, the Confederate soldiers were deprived of the supplies needed to defend their homes. Often they fought in tattered uniforms and worn-out shoes with minimal food. The soldiers pledged to share everything they had, even down to the last drop of life-giving water in their canteens.

The Canteen Ceremony recalls that pledge of sharing as each member of the Color Guard takes a tiny sip from the same canteen. Water from the canteen is then poured on the grave of the soldier being memorialized linking the departed soldier with those of the Color Guard, with the last soldier proclaiming: "You are not forgotten!"

"You are not forgotten!"

The honor guard of Confederate reenactors fire three musket volleys and a cannon salute. 

Mr. Bill Starnes playing "Taps".

US Marine Corps Song played on bagpipes,
followed by "Dixie".

The family of Compatriot Hamm received several gifts from the North Carolina Division SCV, including one special one in particular from an unexpected source -- the White House! 

The Confederate Marine Corps banner.

Members of the 16th South Carolina Color Guard of Honor
Camp #36 SCV from Greenville, South Carolina
-- with Miss Jenna Stoney of Florida.

The family of Clifford B. Hamm with the 16th SC Honor Guard.

The family of Clifford B. Hamm with the Confederate reenactor
honor guard.

The grave of Real Son & World War 2 US Marine Veteran
Mr. Clifford Blair "Cliff" Hamm. RIP

I was truly honored to have attended this event paying tribute to North Carolina's last Real Son of a Confederate Veteran and World War 2 US Veteran. Thank you for your service, sir! Rest in peace, Mr. Hamm. It was an honor to know you, sir!

The 48 Star US Flag that Mr. Hamm served under
during World War 2.

United States Marine Corps Flag.

Dixie Cross Battle Flag.

Carolina Paracon 2019

Hello everyone!

On Saturday, October 5th, my travels took me back to Columbia, South Carolina to visit Carolina Paracon 2019 at Saluda Shoals Park. 

It was a neat little con featuring over 25 vendor tables, paranormal researchers, Crytozoologists, alleged alien abductees, and the South Carolina Ghostbusters. 

The following are the photos I took of the event:

Yours truly at SC Paracon 2019 sporting my
official Svengoolie Glow-In-The-Dark T-shirt -
which received several complements.

Well I hope y'all enjoyed my photos and as always let me know what you think in the comments below.

Night Sky Photography -- 10-03-2019 -- Luna, Jupiter & Saturn From Chester Confederate Monument

Good Evening Fellow Stargazers!

This evening clear evening skies gave me a very good view of Luna and Jupiter in the southwestern sky. 

Just after dusk I found a good spot at the small square in downtown Chester, South Carolina near the Confederate Soldiers Monument looking west towards Main Street and Chester City Hall. 

Using the monument in the foreground I was able to catch this really outstanding shot of the waxing crescent moon and Jupiter on one side, with tiny Saturn seen on the other side. Also visible just below Jupiter is the bright star Antares just above the top of the City Hall building. Although a 1st-magnitude star, Antares pales next to Jupiter, which outshines Antares in the autumn sky by some 16 times. In the city lights, both Saturn and Antares are barely visible.

The moon will continue to move between the two giant planets on Friday, October 4th and then achieving First Quarter phase close to Saturn on Saturday, October 5th.