The Sons of Confederate Veterans (SCV) Camp #1666 met on January 22, at the Forest Baptist Church Community Center to pay tribute to Civil War service veterans during the camp’s annual Lee-Jackson banquet, to reflect achievements, and to engage in defined directions for 2018.
Camp Commander Bruce Warren opened the event with a Call to Order and Welcome address. He introduced guests attending from other SCV units and welcomed them to the event. Terry McMillan led the invocation. Attendees participated in the pledge to the United States flag, the salute to the state flag of Mississippi, and the pledge to the Christian flag.
The Camp presented red carnation corsages to ladies in attendance. The carnation ceremony is in appreciation of local support for the organization and offers a time for reflection on the service and contributions during wartime when women carried the responsibility for farms and family businesses while their husbands and sons were away.
Camp Commander Warren presented Certificates of Appreciation to Tori Evans, Zoe Brumfield, and Gwyn Goodrow for contributions to the local camp during the past year. Terry McMillan was recognized as a new member to Camp #1666, based on genealogical evidence of his ancestor, Thomas Alexander McDill, as a Confederate veteran. After these recognitions, Tori Evans played a somber violin rendition of Dixie.
SCV Commander in Chief Thomas V. Strain, Jr. from Athens, Alabama was the banquet keynote speaker. Commander in Chief Strain spoke about Civil War surrender events of April 1865 and Robert E. Lee’s life after the war.
Lee accepted a position as president at Washington College in Lexington, Virginia, where he served for five years. During his tenure, Lee provided progressive leadership. He dedicated his efforts towards higher education initiatives and securing funds for college programs through his speaking engagements.
The college was subsequently renamed as Washington and Lee University to recognize the contributions of both United States President George Washington and Robert E. Lee, the college president.
After the keynote address, Strain provided a brief commentary about the state of the SCV organization as a whole and some specific activities currently underway for the continuation of heritage preservation.
The Lee-Jackson Banquet includes an annual tribute to the leadership of Robert E. Lee and Thomas Jonathan “Stonewall” Jackson. Lights dimmed during this candle ceremony while the group stood in quiet reflection. Adjutant Bill Lovett and Mississippi Division Commander Jeff Barnes presented the tribute.
Commander Barnes presented the Charge and the Salute to the Confederate Flag. Violinist Tori Evans performed The Old Rugged Cross hymn, and the group was dismissed after the benediction prayer by Terry McMillan.
Membership in the Sons of Confederate Veterans is open to all male descendants of any veteran who served honorably in the Confederate armed forces.
