Heritage of Honour, Not Hate...

When I joined the Sons of Confederate Veterans, it was hard to choose which ancestor to use, for I have so many. But I chose John Campbell Hagan of Richmond, who owned a grocery store on Venable Street. He was moved by a speech at St. Paul's Church that the Reverend gave in favor of Virginia and the South defending their homes. So, just a little after April 1861, he joined the Confederate Army and served in the 10th Battalion. While many of my ancestors did have servants and slaves, I think they were not even considering that when defending their right for States of Independence. The War of Northern Aggression left a mark on all of Southern Soil, but most notably Virginia. For it was in Virginia where most all the battles during the entire campaign took place. It is so very much a part of our history and pride. The flag to me is not a symbol of hate, but to honor our ancestors who so bravely fought for their noble cause. And justly doing so, as it is part of our American Constitution. The Confederate Flag no more represents slavery than the American Flag, and while this is not saying much, it is saying that simply because some hate groups use their flags for that purpose, it does not mean the same thing. For the Confederacy flags are the Cross of St. Andrew.

History tells us that Confederate General Nathan Bedford Forrest, commenced the Klu Klux Klan. But in that Era, its purpose had little to do with race. But rather defending Southern women from being raped from the Northern troops. That's the only reason why the flag has ties to that particular affiliation. It is up to us Virginians and Southrons to protect the flag for what it stands for, and honour those that came before us. I don't display it in a tacky manner flying off the hood of my car. No, I have a small but delicate embroidery on my polo shirts, or placed gently near the graves of the Confederate Brave. Heritage of Honor, not hate is what it means to me.