Many of you will recall that last fall, the Director of the Danville Museum of History and Fine Arts, asked the Danville City Council to force the removal of the Third National Flag that flies on a Confederate Memorial, on the grounds of the Sutherlin Mansion, which served as the Last Capitol of the Confederacy.
This ridiculous request, which stirred up controversy where none existed, and divided the community unnecessarily, was denied when the City Attorney advised City Council that caving to the foolish request would actually violate State Law which protects ALL war memorials. The flag continued to fly peacefully and without incident, as it has for the past 20 years.
Now, on the heels of the tidal wave of attacks on our heritage, flags, and history that has swept across the country since Governor Haley and the South Carolina legislature used an unrelated tragedy as an excuse to pander to the PC demands of a handful of citizens and remove a Confederate Battle Flag from a Soldier’s Memorial on the grounds of the SC Statehouse, the scoundrels in Danville have decided to try again.
http://www.richmond.com/news/virginia/article_26b71b40-50d6-11e4-ae41-0017a43b2370.html
Next Thursday, August 6th, an ordinance will be proposed and voted on which will ban ALL flags from flying on city property EXCEPT the US Flag, Virginia State Flag, Danville City flag, and the POW/MIA flag.
If City Council votes to pass this ordinance and removes the flag from the monument, they will violate state law and dishonor the men in whose memory the flag flies.
THIS Sunday, there will be a “Keep it Flying! Danville Southern Heritage Celebration & Rally, 2:00 – 5:00 p.m., Danville Museum of Fine Arts & History. “Come out and celebrate our Confederate History and Heritage at the Last Capital of the Confederacy! This cultural, historical, and educational event will feature a number of speakers, to include Congressman Virgil H. Goode, author and historian Colonel Greg Eanes (USAF-Ret.) , and Civil Rights attorney and activist Fred D. Taylor. We need to have a HUGE presence at this rally to send a message to City Council, so bring your family, your friends, and your FLAGS for this exciting event. Sponsored by Pittsylvania Vindicators Camp# 828, SCV “
Press Release with more information:
Congressman Goode to Speak at
Sutherlin Mansion Cultural Celebration
Former Congressman Virgil Goode will be the keynote speaker at a cultural celebration to educate the public on the nation’s military heritage, including its Confederate military heritage, while highlighting the need to protect All veteran war memorials such as the Confederate War Memorial at Sutherlin Memorial Mansion, according to Marine Corp veteran Frank Harvey. The event will take place on August 2nd at 3 p.m. at the Sutherlin Memorial Mansion.
Also speaking will be Virginia Attorney Fred Taylor, an affiliate attorney for the American Civil Liberties Union and Colonel Greg Eanes, USAF (Retired), former American Veterans (AMVETS) Department of Virginia Public Relations Officer and a military historian-author, who will highlight the threats posed to various American military memorials across the nation. “Confederate war memorials are not the only ones threatened with removal, misinterpretation or defacing” Eanes said recently. “This is not just about Confederate monuments. It is about all memorials to America’s veterans. If politicians are allowed to desecrate one, they’ll be allowed to desecrate all.” Confederate soldiers are recognized by Federal law as American veterans.
Harvey said, “We cannot stand by idly while individuals attempt to deface and destroy any war memorial that honors those who served with courage and dignity in the great conflict of 1861-1865 or any other U.S involved war. We are a part of Virginia’s multi-cultural society; a part of the fabric of our great nation. We cannot remain silent while individuals attempt to deface and denigrate sons of Virginia who served their country as God gave them the ability to see it.”
Harvey said, “We have secured a well-known military artist to display his works at the event, in addition too, local authors, military related heritage groups are welcome to set up information or recruitment tables.” There may also be a Civil War living history.
Harvey said we US. Military veterans and the “The Sons of Confederate Veterans respect and celebrate the valor and sacrifice of all Virginia’s sons in the defense of their homeland and Constitutional principles as they understood them to be. It is important we educate others as to why men and women serve and this event will give us that opportunity.“ The public, particularly area veterans, are invited and encouraged to attend and show their support.
But Harvey cautioned, “Do not come if there is hate in your heart. We are here because of our love of family, love of state and love of country.”
Contact information for City Council is located here:
http://www.danville-va.gov/386/Members-of-the-Council
Please write/email/call and ask them to vote NO on the proposed flag ordinance and to honor Virginia law AND her Veterans by allowing the flag to continue to fly at the Sutherlin monument.
Make plans to be in Danville THIS SUNDAY, August 2nd for the Rally…and Thursday night, August 6th for the City Council Meeting!
It appears that Danville City Council is trying to follow in the cowardly footsteps of the Scalawags and Carpetbaggers in Lexington, Virginia. I reckon they don’t realize what happens when a City Council bans all flags in an attempt to stop Confederate flags from flying.
Hey Danville City Council…on which side of town do you want your FIRST flag?
Susan Hathaway
Virginia Flaggers
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UPCOMING EVENTS:
Thursday, July 30th: Flagging the VMFA, 200 N. Boulevard, 4:00 p.m. – Dusk
Sunday, August 2nd: Keep it Flying! Danville Southern Heritage Celebration & Rally, 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Danville Museum of Fine Arts & History. Come out and celebrate our Confederate history and heritage at the Last Capital of the Confederacy! This cultural, historical, and educational event will feature a number of speakers, to include Congressman Virgil H. Goode, author and historian Colonel Greg Eanes (USAF-Ret.), and civil rights attorney and activist Fred D. Taylor. So bring your family, your friends, and your FLAGS for this exciting event! Sponsored by Pittsylvania Vindicators Camp #828, SCV
Thursday, September 10th: Susan is scheduled to speak at the September meeting of the Ivy Ritchie Camp #1744, SCV, Albermarle NC. 6:30 p.m. Jay’s Seafood Restaurant, 40439 Stony Gap Rd, Albermarle, NC 28001
Sunday, September 27th: SAVE THE DATE! Va Flaggers FOURTH Anniversary Celebration Picnic/Auction, Mechanicsville Moose Lodge 3:00 p.m. More details to follow.
Tuesday, November 3rd: Susan will be speaking at the November meeting of the Campbell Guards, SCV Camp #2117, 7:00 p.m., Historic Courthouse, Rustburg.
Saturday, December 12th: Susan will be speaking at the Christmas Dinner of the John Ingraham Camp #1977, Chickamauga, GA. More details to follow.
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