Are You Communicating Your Heritage?

Overlooking the Confederate soldier section of Elmwood Cemetery where children of the soldiers of the ‘late unpleasantness’ gathered last Saturday to honor their ancestors. The crowd was reminded that their ancestors were “not traitors or rebels, but patriots and defenders of their rights and liberties.” Photo Michael Reed.

 

Confederate Memorial Day is May 10th, and was commemorated on Saturday May 6th, in Columbia, SC. A large crowd gathered at Elmwood Cemetery in Columbia under a beautiful clear sky after threats of rain disappeared. Most of those who came to honor their ancestors were repeat patrons of the memorial, but many young and older first time visitors were welcomed.

Keynote speaker Rev. John Owen Butler, is Chaplain of the Old Abbeville SCV Camp, and Pastor of Lebanon Presbyterian Church in Abbeville, SC. He was introduced by Rev. Danny Blackwell of Greer, SC. The memorial was hosted by the United Daughters of the Confederacy and Sons of Confederate Veterans with guests participating.

The focus of Rev. Butler’s speech was “The Duty to Communicate our Heritage”. The topic was appropriate for the event gathering as the sons and daughters of Confederate veterans gather annually for Confederate Memorial Day and monthly for local and national events concerning their ancestors.

“We are gathered here to honor the memory of those who fought and died for their homes, their communities, for South Carolina, and the cause of the Confederate States of America. We are gathered here to remember those who fought and came to their shattered homes. We are gathered here in memory of their good name, to guard their history, to emulate their virtues, to perpetuate those principles they loved, and which made them glorious. We gather in the sense of that duty and honor they committed to us, and to present it to future generations,” said Butler. His words were inspiring to those who have felt the bootheel of a leftist movement across America in recent decades.

The Reverend continued that the Confederate soldiers the crowd was gathered to honor, ancestors of many South Carolinians, were “not traitors or rebels, but patriots and defenders of their rights and liberties.” He told how they “fought with honor and dignity, enduring hardship and suffering that we can hardly imagine.” Rev. Butler also told of the pain soldiers experienced of leaving behind families and friends and of the pain families felt as they “mourned their loss and cherished their legacy.” Butler continued that because of their duty, commitment, and devotion to God, family and country “We owe them our pledge to uphold the Constitutional principles they fought for: state’s rights, limited government, individual freedom.”

It was refreshing to hear a man speak straightforwardly without apologizing every other word as many do today. Even still, he reminded the audience who certainly knew, that “This observance is not a celebration of war or slavery. It is not a glorification of hatred or division. This day is not about glorifying a “lost cause” or defending a flawed system. We do not seek to glorify or justify any wrongdoing or injustice that occurred during or after the War Between the States. We seek only to honor those who gave their lives for what they believed in. It is a day to remember not only the soldiers who gave their lives on the battlefield, but also their families back home who suffered and endured the hardships of the war. It is a day to reflect on our past, and to learn from it.”

Rev. Butler urged the crowd to “honor the legacy of those who came before us by working together for a better future for ourselves and our children. And let us never forget that our freedom is not free; it comes at a high price that we must always be willing to pay.” He added that descendants of these soldiers must communicate to our posterity these facts of the sacrifice and devotion of the Confederate soldier.

Butler reminded the crowd of a truth very evident in today’s society that “People don’t grow up with their granddaddies anymore.” In a personal conversation prior to his speech Rev. Butler said his family entertainment, and mine, was “reading books at night.” He added that when he taught college he “could tell who was homeschooled. They were more mature.” The time many used to spend with their granddaddies helped many youth to be wise and mature beyond their years.

A brief history lesson was shared on just who the men were who signed the Ordinance of Secession “declaring that South Carolina was a free and independent state. They did so in response to what they saw as a threat to their rights and liberties by a hostile federal government. They were willing to risk everything for their principles and their sovereignty. Among those signers were some of the most distinguished men of South Carolina: lawyers, judges, planters, merchants, doctors, ministers, educators.”

How similar were those days to our own was made clear when he noted that the men of 1861 were aware their “life under the Constitution… was under attack.” He followed that those men realized that to keep their freedom “required defending it with arms.” He said the “signers knew that their act would most likely lead to war, and they were prepared to face it.”

Rev. Butler pointed out the importance of honoring the memory of our ancestors with “gratitude and respect.” He noted that “We’re not communicating culture.” This ‘honoring’ includes monuments and memorials to their good name, their character, and the gift of our traditional Southern Christian culture. Unfortunately, our Christian culture is under assault by those who are anti-Christ and Marxist.

“They gave their last full measure of devotion. We teach our children and grandchildren of their valor, their loyalty, their devotion and sacrifice. Their values we still hold true.” Butler concluded his remarks with a quote from Confederate General Robert E. Lee, “The graves of our dead should be sacred in every heart.”

Following Rev. Butler’s tribute was a wreath placement, music and singing, a rifle and cannon salute, and trumpeting of “Taps” by David Rainville. This was followed by an extraordinary a cappella solo rendition of “Sweet Beulah Land” by Miss Georgia Grey Chumley. Miss Chumley’s heart felt singing and beautiful voice brought tears to many eyes at the event. Miss Chumley is President of the Children of the Confederacy, daughter of Judge Rob (Tammy) Chumley, and granddaughter of SC Representative Bill Chumley. We are told Miss Chumley will soon have a CD available of her singing.

Following Rev. Butler were several other dignitaries who spoke of South Carolina as a free and independent state, with distinguished men, who honor the courage and legacy of their forefathers. SC SCV Chief of Staff Dean Stevens, said, “We in the South remember.” He added “This love of God and love of country will never die if we remember.”

Throughout the service the speakers encouraged the attendees to ‘remember those our ancestors who fought to defend the Constitution.’ One said, ‘There were many women who fought just as hard just behind the scene.’ Indeed, Southern women were the backbone of the South during and following the War.

Miss Chumley, quoting Jefferson Davis, said “We are brought together so that we will never forget the principal for which we contend…” In other words—Never give up!

Danny Blackwell, quoting Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson, said “Never be ashamed of the truth, Duties are ours the consequences are God’s.” He continued “By honoring our ancestors we are doing right. Our ancestors gave everything for us.” He was followed by SC SCV Commander, Col. Leland Summers, who noted that the “Confederate soldier had one request, that he not be forgotten.”

A scripture verse was read, Luke 12:48. Afterward Tammy Heron, president of the SC UDC, closed out the memorial with a prayer and the phrase “In simple obedience to duty… May we never forget”.

EDITED 5-11-23

 

Michael Reed is Publisher of The Standard newspaper, print and online. You may find our video available on Rumble. The bulk of TheStandardSC video media channel has been censored by dominant social media groups like YouTube. YouTube, owed by Alphabet (Google), removed and destroyed all of our video work without permission or remuneration. That has stopped all potential donations from our many supporters on that venue. If you want to continue to see independent thought and reports please “like”, comment, share with a friend, and donate to support The Standard on this page to assure the continued availability of news that is ignored too often by the dominant media.

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