The following is a most thorough revelation of the hatred and ignorance we face in today’s culture, and a perfect
illustration of how we should respond to “those people”. This is an official communication from the Commander of the Sons Of Confederate Veterans Camp #2100 in South Carolina to the state's Division and Brigade Commanders, as well as the Chief of Heritage Defense and the Chief Attorney for the Southern Legal Resource Center. This is sort of long, but believe me, it is well worth the read. SBG
Colonel Charles Jones Colcock Camp #2100
20 September 2009
MEMORANDUM FOR: Commander, SC Division, SCV
Chief, Heritage Defense SC Division
Ninth Brigade Commander, SC Division
Chief Attorney, Southern Legal Resource Center
SUBJECT: Heritage Defense Victory in Hardeeville, SC
1. This memorandum discusses the events of Friday and Saturday, September 18th and 19th 2009, at the Catfish Festival in Hardeeville, SC, in which the men of the Charles Jones Colcock Camp #2100 emerged victorious in a Heritage violation thrust upon them.
2. At approximately 1500 hrs on Friday, September 18th, Adjutant Leon Smith, Color SGT Danny Denton and Commander John Sutton of the Colcock Camp began setting up the tents, banner, Battle Flag and other material for the
annual Hardeeville Catfish Festival. The Camp booth prominently displayed the Camp banner with the SCV logo and the Camp’s Battle Flag. The Camp booth was between a shrimp burger trailer and a funnel cake trailer. The Dixie Outfitters’ trailer was on the other side of the funnel cake trailer.
3. At about 1515 hrs, the Mayor of Hardeeville, Mayor Bronco Bostick was reviewing the various vendors and noticed the large Confederate naval jack flying above the Dixie Outfitters’ trailer. He began to rage and rail against it. He called someone on his cell phone and demanded that they make Dixie Outfitters take it down. At this time he had not yet noticed the Camp’s Battle Flag.
4. At 1520, the Camp was notified by the senior Festival coordinator that the Battle Flag must be removed or we must leave, on order of Mayor Bostick. As Commander, I took control of the situation to ensure all interaction remained
cordial and respectful. He offered to give us back our entry fee, which I refused.
I iterated the following points:
a. The SCV is a formal organization, with recognized 501 (c) (3) status.
b. Display of our Flag and logo is First Amendment protected speech.
c. I was personally willing to be forcibly ejected and arrested before taking down the Flag.
d. Was he willing to endure lawsuits and bad publicity over the First Amendment as well as lost income if we were ejected from the event?
5. He (senior Festival coordinator ~Editor) expressed his personal sympathy, stating that he was in the process of completing his SCV application, and understood our Heritage. He also said that he had been unemployed for a long time, and he was just trying to follow orders, that he was not a lawyer, so we had to talk to Mayor Bostick. He had no choice but to have us removed, forcibly by the police if necessary. We parted on congenial if differing terms.
6. Adjutant Smith called the local TV station in Savannah, making sure the senior Festival coordinator heard the call. I also made sure he knew this call was being made.
7. About this time, I spoke with Commander Randy Burbage, SC Division Commander and Kirk Lyons, Chief Counsel for the Southern Legal Resource Center. Kirk advised me to determine the venue owners. If this was a City event, the Mayor was exceeding his authority. If this was sponsored by a group such as the Chamber of Commerce, the Mayor’s authority was still restricted, depending upon the exact circumstances. These instructions were vital to coordinating the defensive maneuvers necessary to successfully repel the Heritage attacks without impugning our forefathers’ virtues or principles.
8. At about 1550 hrs, Adjutant Smith and I walked to the Hardeeville City Hall to meet with the mayor. We were met by Assistant City Manager Ted Felder, as the Mayor was out and about. He was personally sympathetic to our Cause, but was instructed to say nothing. Mr. Felder confirmed for us that the Catfish Festival was sponsored by an organization of that name, also a 501 (c) (3) entity. With his assistance, I called the Mayor’s cell phone, using my own cell phone.
9. I introduced myself to Mayor Bostick as the Commander of the Colcock Camp, expressing hope that we could work things out. I explained that we are a 501 (c) (3) organization, and that the Battle Flag is the critical component of our group’s
raison d’etre. Mayor Bostick did not interrupt me, but immediately insisted that the Flag must come down or we had to leave, by force if necessary, because Hardeeville is a diverse community and he would not tolerate division. I responded as respectfully as possible that we would not take the Flag down, whereupon he terminated the conversation. I spoke briefly with Mr. Felder, and he respectfully understood our position, but the Mayor’s decisions were final.
10. This conversation embodies the only regret that I have about this entire incident, in that I could have responded to his comment of diversity with a statement that his diversity excluded us.
11. It must be emphasized, except as specifically noted herein, that all communications and interactions with City and Festival personnel and police were conducted in disciplined, courteous and cooperative manners.
12. Adjutant Smith and I returned to the booth to await developments. We did not start the grill for cooking in the event that we would be ejected, but otherwise laid out recruiting materials and made other preparations as originally
planned.
13. Hardeeville police in groups of 2 stood or meandered within 25 yards of our booth continuously. I personally
interacted with each group on a non-confrontational basis, usually over the subject of shared military experiences. I
made sure they knew that I am a disabled veteran; Adjutant Smith made sure each one was offered a free bottle of cold drinking water, as the day was very hot. The Colcock Camp offers free water like this at each event, as we support law enforcement and their sacrifices.
14. The Dixie Outfitters vendors, two ladies and a gentleman were obviously in deep distress. They had struck their naval jack in an attempt at conciliation, and were very disturbed, asking for answers to the question “Why?” We gave them every moral support, and reassured them that we were defending their rights as well - they were not without help. I explained that our status was significantly stronger than theirs, as we have 501 (c) (3) status, and have the backing of the entire South Carolina SCV division behind us. We would ensure that any decisions and resultant actions taken by the City would affect us both equally.
15. At about 1715 hrs Adjutant Smith noticed the local TV reporter’s van stopped at the gate. Within 5 minutes of us noticing their arrival, the senior Catfish Festival coordinator informed us that we were welcome to stay and keep our Flag up. It is interesting to note that the groups of Hardeeville police became more equally dispersed throughout the crowd at about the same time. The Camp is assuming they were there for protection, but for whom, and from who was never disclosed to us.
16. We spoke briefly with the reporter, who declined to do anything as the crisis was passed. I concurred with her decision, as any report would be interpreted as taunting the City, which in turn would unnecessarily fan resentment. It would be best to wait until absolutely necessary to pull that lanyard.
17. Throughout the rest of the evening, we received multiple heartfelt apologies from the following officials:
a. Hardeeville Mayor Pro Tempore
b. Hardeeville City Council Chairman
c. Catfish Festival Chairman
d. Senior Catfish Festival Coordinator
e. Multiple Hardeeville City Councilmen
18. Adjutant Smith and I made sure the Dixie Outfitters received similar supplications by escorting these individuals to
their booth.
19. To each of these, and to all others, my official Commander’s statement to the events of the day is as follows:
“The Colonel Colcock Camp #2100, of the Sons of Confederate Veterans is grateful that the City of Hardeeville
recognizes the right of all Americans to peacefully express and practice their beliefs.”20. Several vendors expressed their appreciation for the stand we took, with special emphasis on the courtesy and professionalism we exhibited without yielding. The Dixie Outfitters graciously gave each of us our choice of a T-shirt, the funnel cake vendor gave us funnel cakes, the shrimp burger vendor gave us meals, and a couple from New Jersey gave us a sample of their wares – a temporary tattoo. Of course, they insisted the tattoo had to be the Battle Flag!
21. The rest of the evening of Friday, September 18th proceeded without further interruption.
22. On Saturday, September 19th 2009, a small group led by a vocal female attempted to interfere with business conducted at both the Dixie Outfitters’ and the Camp’s booths. This individual pushed buyers away from the tables, exclaiming “That flag represents people who kept your ancestors as slaves.” (
these were blacks who know or are willing to learn the truth, of their own free will, supporting the SCV) The group was demanding that we and they move our Flags to the back.
23. The police reacted courteously and professionally to the incident. One young female officer was visibly upset when she came to us to help keep us separate from the interfering group. I reassured her that the Camp bore no ill will, there would be no reaction on our part, we would stay by our booth, and that we would let them do their job. I assured her that we would watch their back, that she need fear nothing from us without their permission. Visibly relieved, she returned to the main group of people. Later, her superior returned to express his appreciation for the Camp’s reaction to both the situation as a whole, as well as to her personally.
24. The ladies with Dixie Outfitters again showed up at our booth, this time in tears. Drawing upon the words of the song
For the Cause by the Rebelaires, we explained they had just faced down people filled with hate, and in doing so, they stood their ground for their Southland’s sake. I took this opportunity to gently explain that evil knows no compromise. By lowering their naval jack, they only projected weakness and invited further attack, recommending in the future they stand their ground instead. I also reminded them that they did their forefathers proud, standing for the right and the rights of all Americans.
25. Saturday concluded without further incident.
TO:SC SCV Division Commander Burbage:Having described the lay of the battlefield and the sequence of events, I respectfully submit the following comments for your review:
1. In the War for Southern Independence, the enemy suffered the ravages of Southern fever. Today his mind is feverish from the heat of Southern Freedom gloriously radiating from the Battle Flag.
2. Southern soldiers routed the enemy with the cold steel bite of the bayonet. Today he knows again the bite of cold hard steel found in Southern Backbone.
3. Southern soldiers drove the enemy back with the hot steel of Southern shot. Today he reels again from shots of Truth, and Honor, and Integrity.
4. The men of the Colcock Camp are to be highly commended. Some were unable to be present, but a victorious
outcome would not have been possible without their continual support of the Camp. Just as David rewarded all of his men, including those who “remained by the stuff” after the battle over the Amalekites (I Samuel 30), so all the Camp members should be acknowledged as contributors to this success.
5. The men fulfilled the Charge this day. Our forefathers, those Ghosts in Grey once defended their names and virtues in their day and time. With them now silent but still looking on, the Colonel Colcock Camp engaged the enemy in our day and time for their sakes. The Camp vigorously defended their good names, and zealously guarded their history. The professional handling of the situation clearly emulated their virtues and perpetuated further their values we still hold dear.
6. These events made both our ancestors and the Camp glorious, for the Colors were not furled, nor were the tents struck until the end of the day, and only at the discretion of the Camp. The Camp left the field with Flag, Honor and Heritage not merely intact, but in full battle display.
7. Finally, it was an honor indeed to once again have Southern belles depending upon Southern men to stand for
their rights, in their place and time, defending their livelihood and reputations.
8. Words cannot convey the pride I have in serving with the men of the Colcock Camp, a commander could find no better. Nor could a commander be any prouder for their resolute
determination and the way they discharged themselves in this confrontation.
9. For myself, no words can convey how deeply humbled and honored I am to be allowed to stand and defend our Flag, our Heritage, and our people. Surely there are others more worthy, and who can do better. Nevertheless, be assured such thoughts shall not constrain me. When the ugly beast of oppression raises its head once again, as most assuredly it will, I stand ready to lead and confront that evil with everything I have.
I remain your most ob’t servant,
In the Service of King Jesus,
For the Cause:
John M. Sutton, COMMANDER
Col Charles Jones Colcock Camp #2100
Ridgeland, SC
