The Flagging of the McDaniel/Curtis SCV Camp – Commentary by Billy Bearden
There was a chilly breeze blowing through the square in the heart of Carrollton tonight, and it was more than just the
low '50's wind that was brisk enough to keep a '56 flag flappin'....
At 5:30pm on Tuesday November 30th, 2004, the City of Carrollton's annual Christmas Parade was scheduled, starting on Highway 27
and going through Adamson Square and ending on Dixe Street next to the Courthouse.
The parade featured both local high school bands (Trojans and Lions), Carrollton Fire and Police Departments, Church groups, and
somewhere in the middle - the McDaniel/Curtis Camp #165 of the Sons of Confederate Veterans (SCV).
A little background is in order here...
Earlier this year, on July 3rd, 2004, Camp #165 was third in line for the annual "People's Parade" 4th of July celebration. I had approached their leader, presenting myself as a fellow SCV member, dressed in my Confederate private's uniform, holding a 1956 Georgia Flag, and requested permission to join with them in marching in the parade.
Looking at me, then at the '56 flag, he said "No you cannot march with us because of THAT flag." They were ready to
march with three flags----the U.S. flag, a sky blue and pinkish faded 4x4 ANV [Confederate Battle flag], and the current Georgia flag (AKA the Perdue
Counterfeit 2003 flag) with 13 stars that represent nine yankee states (the other four are for GA, VA, SC & NC). OK, I'll acknowledge that some Marylanders
consider themselves Southerners.
The Perdue 2003 Counterfeit Georgia Flag
The REAL Georgia flag, the 1956 Georgia Flag, I should point out, is also the Georgia Division SCV OFFICIAL State Flag, but
these gentlemen refused to be seen with it that day, or possibly ever again???
Their website displays photos of them in the
2003 parade WITH a '56 flag.
What changed from 2003 to 2004?
Back to the present...in the late afternoon of November 30th, I drove past them and saw their entry in the parade. A pick-up
truck and cannon on a trailer. Four flags adorned their cannon trailer ----the U.S., the Bonnie Blue, their own camp 3rd National, and the current
'4-Southern-Stars' counterfeit flag with yellow markings.
It does bring one to wonder....Why do they put "We Are Dedicated To Preserving Confederate History"
on their website? The '56 flag was created to honor Georgia's Confederate veterans and
its Confederate history.
I didn't let them deter me in July 2004, as I took it upon myself to march the whole parade route by myself in unform with the
'56 flag and let the people of West Georgia see it anyway, and I wasn't gonna let them get away with disrespecting my ancestors tonight either, so I drove
over to the Courthouse and parked nearby, put on my Confederate Kepi, snapped my '56 flag to my 8 foot pole and stood in front of the Carrollton
Confederate Monument and waited, in friendly Flagger mode, greeting the passersby who acknowledged me.
One bystander took my picture and two others gave me positive comments. As the parade progressed, some in the Lions'
band smiled and nodded. A black Marine on a church float actually SALUTED the '56 flag! Finally, an attractive 16-year-old Trojan high flag twirler
told me loud and clear through a huge smile to "KEEP IT FLYING!" Then came Camp #165 and the 'heatwave' was over....
I will say their driver was nice, as he actually smiled and waved, but the five riding with the cannon were, well, less than
cordial. The guy from July who rejected the '56 flag caught just enough of me to see I was there and cut his eyes back to the road never to move in my
direction again as they went past. The others just gave me cold stares and silent admonition.
I believe that this action in front of the Confederate Monument was most appropriate, as I refused to let 'those people'
disrespect my ancestors, or yours either. Plus they know now that their sucking up to politically correct standards has consequences.
I won't forget that both flag-changing former State Rep Tracy Stallings and a former high ranking SCV Officer (perhaps best known for a
four-square or 'checkerboard' flag) are members of Camp #165. I sincerely believe that most members of the McDaniel/Curtis Camp are probably NOT political sycophants or P.C.
scalawags. I like to think they take The Charge seriously and value it above their contemporary political loyalties. But they should consider the wise advice of George Washinton who said, "Associate with men of good quality if you esteem your own
reputation; for it is better to be alone than in bad company."
I wrote the McDaniel-Curtis camp on July 8th and again on July 24th to ask why they rejected the '56 flag from a parade march.
I have yet to receive the courtesy of a reply. Perhaps they can't answer that question, so I'll frame the question another way: "Why is a 16 year old girl proud of her state's
flag, but a group of grumpy old men who wear the Georgia grey ashamed of it? It IS the Georgia Division's OFFICIAL state flag, is it not?"
Taking the issue a step further, I wonder if these men would vote to keep the current
Perdue counterfeit flag if they had the option (a Fair Vote) to vote to
return the '56 flag. And if they can't bring themselves to honor the '56 flag above the Perdue Counterfeit flag, then
I suppose they would not favor nor would they support our efforts to get a Fair Vote for the people of Georgia. You know,
the vote a certain Governor promised the people of Georgia.
How can they dishonor the '56 flag if they value the Confederate Battle flag? Most SCV Camps salute
the Confederate battle flag at every meeting "with affection, reverence and undying devotion to the Cause for which
it stands." I realize that all SCV members don't want to be activists or flaggers and I try to give people the
benefit of the doubt, but I really can't understand any Georgia SCV member failing
to stand up for the '56 flag.
And for what? Political brownie points?
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