From: HK Edgerton <hk.edgerton@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, May 29, 2012
Subject: An Open Report /Memorial Day, May 28, 2012 , Asheville, N.C. / God Bless Vice County Commissioner Chair Bill Stanley
To: siegels1 <siegels1@mindspring.com>
Dear Ms. Lunelle,
Never in my wildest imagination would I envision Monday May 28, 2012, Memorial Day, to be one of if not the proudest, most rewarding days I have ever had with the Southern Cross in hand.
After having began the morning with a stroll along Highway 9, and downtown Main Street in the beautiful Township of Black Mountain, North Carolina, interacting with those who would pass me by with shouts of the Rebel Yell and the calling out of my name, the stage would be set as I would later on don the uniform of the Southern soldier and enter the theater of City County plaza in my hometown of Asheville, North Carolina for the annual Memorial Day Program with featured speakers the Honorable Mayor Terry Bellamy, the Honorable County Commissioner Chair David Gantt, the Honorable Vice County Commissioner Chair Marine Corp Veteran Bill Stanley, who would act as the Master of Ceremony, and later in the program also receive an award and recognition for his many years of support and service to the military community.
As what was a very moving ceremony was about to come to a close, I stood very proud thinking as I had many times before; how ironic that the women of the South had began this day by decorating the graves of the Confederate soldier, and later on finding so many graves of Union soldiers, decorated them and recognized their service in ceremonies just like this, and now not one Southern politician, or even Southern Veteran in charge of this event has the courage to recognize him or his flag that I so proudly post over here year after year. At that very moment, the Honorable Vice Chair Stanley made the following declaration as he was bringing the program to a close : " Before we close this program today, I want to recognize a man and his flag, I’m talking about that man carrying the Stars and Bars, the Confederate Battle Flag, pointing to me, HK Edgerton, who in my estimation has done more to advance race relations than any man alive today." A resounding applause, perhaps louder than any heard on this day, would ensue his remarks.
Fighting back tears I would make my way to where Vice Chair Stanley stood preparing to give a statement to the local television station. I would tell Vice Chair Stanley that I loved him, and had the greatest admiration for the courage that he had displayed on this day to recognize the banner of the Southern soldier and high praise he had given to me, and furthermore I would support his run for President should he ever run. It matters not that the press would choose not to print or report Vice Chair Stanley’s remarks; those who were there shall never forget.
