Unsung Southern Patriots – Commentary by Steve Scroggins
Despite the fact that I am by nature an optimist, even I get down every now and then because
there's NEVER a shortage of bad news. Americans of Southern descent endure a barrage of negative media coverage, stereotypes,
and ongoing propaganda designed to teach us that our ancestors were evil and that we are all backward knaves as a result.
There is plenty of good news and plenty of bad news...your outlook will determine which you see
as prevalent.
This column is to share a little good news.
There's a real southern patriot here in central Georgia and I'm proud to call him a friend and compatriot. Russ Huffman
is probably the most active man in our SCV Camp (#1399) and most likely anywhere in the area. Camp 1399 named Huffman our Confederate of the Year at our
Lee-Jackson Dinner in January of this year. He's a working man, a flagger and an active member
of the SCV Mechanized Cavalry.
If you're in a fight, he's definitely the kind of guy you want on your side.
Russ has been actively working for over a year to get a Confederate monument moved from it's current location to
a place of honor on the courthouse grounds in Jeffersonville. Last year, we had a crowd of 50-100 converge on the Twiggs County
Commissioner's meeting to support Russ in his request for space on the courthouse lawn. That action is still pending, more on that in a moment.
Russ is also leading the way to organize a barbeque/music/bike-show event to entertain the Veterans who are patients
at the Carl Vincent V.A. Medical Center in Dublin, Georgia this September 18th. We hope to make this an annual event with the support of
several area SCV camps and others.
Some of you may recall the story I wrote back in April that described Russ' reaction to historical ignorance and
political correctness. I mention this here to point out that Russ is involved, an able spokesman and not afraid to speak out for the truth. I used
Russ' story in the context of The Enemy Within.
Back to the Twiggs County monument. On May 6th, Russ ran a full-page ad in the Twiggs County newspaper that listed the
names of most all the Confederate veterans from Twiggs County in addition to a note asking folks to contact their commissioners. Most of that info is posted
on the website for the Monument.
Twiggs Monument Website
The ad in the Twiggs newspaper caught the attention of an editor at The Macon Telegraph. Russ was interviewed this week by a reporter (Tanner) from the Telegraph and a Telegraph photographer took some photos at the monument. The story was published
Sunday, July 4 in the Telegraph (see link below). While the story overall is fair, the editors at the Telegraph had to add their slant. The headline they placed on the story was "County Divided over Confederate Statue."
I attended the meeting in August of 2003 and not one citizen said a word
against the monument or placing it on the courthouse lawn; the overwhelming majority favored the move. The County Commissioners seemed to mostly favor it. Then one commissioner asked the question: "Are there any African-American names on this petition?" The answer is, "Yes." The Mayor of Jeffersonville at the time, who
happens to be black, favored moving the monument to the courthouse. The operator of the fried chicken eatery, who happens to be black, favored the move. To our knowledge, there is no group or individuals who have
publicly stated that they oppose moving the statue to the courthouse lawn. So, WHY would the Telegraph use a headline that suggests that the county is divided over the issue? Are they trying to start a controversy?
Macon Telegraph story 7/04/04
If you'd like to help with the relocation of the Twiggs monument or the Veteran's event in Dublin, please contact Russ. His email and phone are on the site listed above.
I just wanted to take this opportunity to share some good news. Despite the onslaught on negative spin and anti-southern
bigotry, there are some among us who will stand up for truth and keep the battle alive. I'm sure Russ would downplay my praise here and say that
he's just doing his duty, just carrying out the Charge given to all SCV members. If only half the members of the SCV took the Charge as seriously as Russ does, Southern Heritage would not
be constantly on the defensive and SCV would be a force to be reckoned with.
I wish we had another dozen Russ Huffmans working for heritage here
in Georgia. But not in my Camp. One Huffman in my Camp is enough to keep me busy.
Seriously, thanks, Russ, for being a real go-getter and a leader for Southern Heritage.
Steve Scroggins
is a frequent GHC contributor of parody
and political cartoons and graphics.
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