Grand Opening of Dixie Outfitters Store In Madison Heights, Va.
On April 20-22, 2006, I had the pleasure of visiting with the owners of our new Dixie Outfitters franchise store in Madison Heights, Va., Dennis and Brenda Beeton.
H.K. Edgerton and Terry Lee Edgerton accompanied me. The trip was multi-purpose but centered around the effort to raise money for the preservation of the Packet Boat Marshall. This boat was famous because it was the boat that carried Gen. Stonewall Jackson to his final resting place in Lynchburg, VA. The event was sponsored by the Lynchburg Historical Foundation, Garland Rodes SCV Camp #409 and Dixie Outfitters.
On the evening of April 20, we met the men of the Garland Rodes SCV Camp #409. We spoke to them after their business meeting and gave our views on different topics that concerned us. We had a great time visiting with them and we got to know them well over the next couple of days as we were all involved in the fund raising event to preserve the Packet boat Marshall.
On April 21, H.K. Edgerton was on the local ABC affiliate television station Channel 13 on a show named “Good Morning Virginia” for an interview promoting the event. That night, H.K. Edgerton, Terry Lee Edgerton and myself spoke at the fund raising event along with Sally Schneider, Executive Director of the Lynchburg Historical Foundation. The four-hour event left the audience with a perspective our Southern heritage that many had never heard. Many in the audience were shocked at what we had to say, many were educated, many were enlightened and all were entertained. The event was a rousing success.
The following morning we all gathered at the Dixie Outfitters store in Madison Heights for a Confederate flag raising and Grand Opening. A local radio station was doing a remote broadcast and many customers and well-wishers along with many members of the Garland-Rodes camp celebrated the opening. People driving by honked their horns and waved as the music played, the flags fluttered and the participants shopped, swapped stories and enjoyed the fellowship. All had a great time.
These events were great examples of proactive Southern heritage activity. The community was involved and educated. Many new friends were made and minds were changed. General Patton said, “Fixed fortifications are monuments to man’s stupidity,” and so it is with many of the efforts to defend our Southern heritage. We must be proactive, get involved, leave our fortifications and educate the public about the real truth of our heritage if we are to survive as a Southern people.
Dixie Outfitters is looking for “a few good men (or women),” who would like to make a living while being proactive for our Southern heritage. Dedication to preservation of the truth of our Southern heritage is the primary qualification for owning one of our franchise stores. I feel very lucky to be able to work every day for our heritage and simultaneously provide for my family. It’s the ultimate job. If you’re interested in learning about more about a Dixie Outfitters franchise store email me at: dewey@barberandcompany.com.
