Sons of Confederate Veterans Raise Battle Flag
Zach Brake/special to the Herald Courier
The 19th Tennessee Volunteer Infantry fire a volley during Saturday’s flag dedication ceremony in Bristol, Tenn.
BY CLAIRE GALOFARO
BRISTOL HERALD COURIER
The Sons of Confederate Veterans raised a confederate battle flag Saturday evening in Bristol, Tenn. The 25-by-15-foot banner was hoisted on a 70-foot pole on a hillside in clear view of Interstate 81 – to serve as a monument and memory to those who fought on behalf of the South.
“You can’t get the real history from a text book,” said David Roberts, who organized Saturday’s event and spearheaded project to install the flag.
“The ones that won got to write the book,” Roberts said. “But we know it’s different and that’s what we’ve got to teach our children. God bless Dixie and may this flag ever
wave.”
About 200 people gathered for the ceremony, semi-circled around the pole on top of a hillside several hundred above the interstate. A dozen or so men dressed as confederate soldiers and among them was a black man named H.K. Edgerton.
“The most discriminated against person in America is the Christian Southern white man,” said Edgerton, a member of the Sons of Confederate Veterans and a former president of the NAACP’s Asheville, N.C. branch.
Edgerton also said he enjoys “whipping Yankees.”
“This place should be full of black folks,” Edgerton said. “I don’t know why [I’m the only one here]. Maybe your newspaper should have told them to come to celebrate and sing Dixie and salute our flag. It’s a shame white folks and black folks make people think this is an evil flag. This is a southern flag. You can’t attack this flag and call yourself a southerner. You can call yourself a traitor.”
Edgerton delivered his comments with the conviction of a preacher, in an impromptu address to the crowd. His adoring fans reciprocated with hoots and thunderous applause.
The Sons of Confederate Veterans is an national organization dedicated to protecting the honor of their ancestors. All are great-great-somethings of a confederate soldier, and they look to the flag as a symbol of that fight.
To many others the Confederate flag is America’s most contentious symbol, likened to a swastika in hateful significance.
“It’s been hijacked by hate groups,” Roberts said. “We are in no way aligned with anyone who uses the flag our ancestors fought and died for, for purposes of hate or intimidation. These groups have also denigrated the U.S. flag and the Christian flag and make it very hard at times for us to honor our relatives without a negative response from the general public who have no idea about our organization.”
The pre-raising ceremony Saturday included opening remarks and many who attended exchanged certificates of appreciation. Among the presenters was Sheila Hunt, director of the Sullivan County Archives and Tourism, who offered the gratitude of the mayor of Sullivan County.
Fittingly, Roberts dedicated the rebel flag to those who resent it: teachers who don’t allow children to wear it on their clothing; politicians who disassociate themselves from it; and a man who removed one from an Alabama cemetery.
Edgerton, flanked by several young boys, unveiled the giant flag, and the onlookers – five rows deep – clapped and chanted as it made its way up the pole. It hung quietly for several seconds, with audible anticipation below. Then the wind blew.
“There she goes!” Digital cameras buzzed open. “Oh, isn’t it beautiful,” one woman cried. “Another great day in Dixie,” shouted a man. “Thank you Jesus,” said another.
Then everyone sang Dixie and caught a ride down the hill.
“I represent four and a half million black folks who’ve been beat down and would love to be here, too,” Edgerton said. “If they tell you they wouldn’t be, the first thing you ask is where they’re from. Then you tell them to go on back.”
John Harrison, the former head of the Kingsport chapter of the NAACP, does not share such enthusiasm for the Confederate flag.
“I am not endeared by that flag,” Harrison said. “Sometimes people do these things to see a knee-jerk reaction. And I really wish they wouldn’t. When I see it, I ignore it the best I can. I don’t challenge, because that’s just what they want.”
A Friday call and an e-mail to the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People were not returned. Saturday calls to other local chapters of the NAACP also were not immediately returned.
“I don’t plan to protest or write letters.” Harrison said. “That just moves their agenda to the forefront, like when three or four members of the Klan march they bring a lot of attention. I’m just going to go on past it. I’ve got better things to do. But that’s just me.”
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Reader Reactions
My bad. I misread it.
I wonder how they determined that it was a Confederate rifle. Both sides pretty much used the same ones: Enfields and Springfields.
The left spin is that the recent Holocaust Museum killer was a RIGHT WING Crazy, also the Tiller murder, and influenced by Limbo, Hanity, right wing talk shows and right wing media.
WARNING Be Careful what you say when posting the government may come after you. Take a look at this bald faced lie from joe woods.
Joe Wood’s Blog
Just Words: The Results of Hate Speech Part II
June 10, 2009, 3:39PM
Today a 89 year old man with a Confederate flag and a rifle walked up to the Holocaust Museum in Washington DC, and opened the door. His website and his book unfurl his feelings towards Jews and Blacks. He is not so important, as is his symbolism.
http://tpmcafe.talkingpointsmemo.com/talk/blogs/joe_wood/2009/06/just-words-the-results-of-hate.php?ref=reccafe
Confederate Southern Americans should be included in the crime bill, we are the most attacked people in this country.
Jerry,
I think I may have a picture of your dog. Send me your email address and I’ll try to get it to you.
Brett
SouthBaird@aol.com
4 Years ago i personally had the oppurtunity to meet and talk to H.G. Edgerton at a similar demonstration in Maryville,Tn in front of the courthouse. The demonstration was regarding the wearing of the Stars and Bars at the sporting events for the High school. Which ironically are nicknamed “The Rebels”. The city was trying to make them do away with the flag on all signs, T shirts, hats, and similar attire. There was of course opposition, and they were talking of how the “Rebel Flag” was an example of hatred, also pointing out that the largest mass slave graves, were found in New York City. H.G. did a remarkable job of defending the Southerners and the flag that WE so deeply cherish, and the history of the flag. H.G.‘s Great grandparents fought in the civil war, for the south and he has obviously done his research. I for one am proud that i was born in the south and proud of my ancestors who fought for the south. May The Stars and Bars Fly freely!!!
The most evil vile anti-American things you can imagine come out of the Socialist/Marxist center of America better known as Washington D.C.-It won’t be long. Revolution is coming. America can not continue the way it is. If the South would have won we would be much better off. I am ready for a new civil war. It’s time we break America up into about 4 new sections. Yankee go home. NO IRS
i seen the flag monday its looks soo great bless all the hard work to get theflag up not change subject does any one have pictures on my dog withthe confederate flagon his back if some one could tellme howto link up these pictures sorry from not having his pict. god bless the scv jerry.
TennRebel19: And as Yogi Berra might say: It ain’t over ‘till it’s over.
TennRebel9: Deo vindice, my brother.
Well alright, might doesn’t always make right! God Bless the Sons of Confederate Veterans.
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