The Rosette. Newsletter of the Tenn. Society Order of Confederate Rose ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Summer Edition July Dear Members and Friends,

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1 The Rosette Newsletter of the Tenn. Society Order of Confederate Rose ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Summer Edition July 2015 Dear Members and Friends, The days in Dixie are not so happy as they were just a couple of weeks ago. Everyone knows the horrible chain of events that lead to these dark days. We sympathize with the family and friends of those murdered at the hand of a crazy man. We pray they will find peace and heal from this tragedy. We as Southerners are not responsible, nor is our beautiful flag of our ancestors for this deed, only one man and he alone should be held responsible. Sadly this tragedy has led to the renewed interest in our rights as Americans and Southerners especially. While companies are refusing to sell Confederate articles other companies are selling out people with vision see this for what it is more freedom being taken away by a govt. gone out of control. Even those who claim to be for Southern are placing other Southrons under attack. It is a dark day when the entire South doesn t rally together for good but attack those who strive to maintain and defend her. Close to home we wish to offer the deepest sympathies to Lenny Stover on the loss of his son. Only those who have lost a child can understand the pain I thank God I have not had to endure that loss. We are grieved for Lenny and all the family and friends in the Mech Cav who are hurting now and we need keep them in our prayers. Pray God will bless Dixie again and may we give him thanks for our beautiful and honorable Southland. Vonda Dixon, Pres. TNSOCR 1 TNSOCR at Appomattox Courthouse, Virginia

2 Tennessee Society OCR Officers Elected for the term: President Vonda Dixon, Chapter #10 West Tenn. Vice President Jan Hensley #5 East Tenn. Vice President Betty Aronson #18 Treasurer Debria Beatey #6 Secretary Pat Butler #14 Tennessee Society Appointed Positions: Registrar and Chaplain Linda Boshers #6 Black Rose Keeper of the Rite Jackie Johnson #20 Aide de Camp Debbie Raymer #1 Historian position open Webmaster Jeff Craft Pages in this issue: 1. Note from the President 2. Officers ~ Index ~ Prayer List 3. Tennessee State Convention Aunt Polly Eaton Williams Chapter #10 5. Roses of the Cumberlands #1 6. Jane Simmons Davis #6 7. Antoinette Polk #20 8. Cynthia Holford Officer #18 9. Rosebuds and Young Rebels 10. Dibrell s White Roses # Mariam Beck Forrest #5 11. Black Rose Society 12. Alice Thompson # Highland Roses #14 Wild Mountain Roses #11 please check out the new website!! Mary Ann Bell #21 looking forward to newest charter July 25 Please continue to keep the following in your prayers: Stover family for their loss Clara Craft #11 continued healing after surgery Frank Holladay #1 health 2 Congratulations to newlyweds SCV Comm. and Mrs. Joey Savage, both members of OCR Chapter #13 in Sparta.

3 The Tennessee State OCR Convention in conjunction with the TN SCV Reunion was held at the General Morgan Inn in Greenville, TN. A beautiful hotel! The Fri. evening reception at the historic Dickson- Williams Mansion, a must see. It was truly a treat to visit this historic town. Hostessing for OCR was Clara Craft and Wild Mountain Roses Chapter #11 of Elizabethton, TN. Thank you ladies for everything! Our special thanks to the John Hunt Morgan Camp #2053, Greenville, TN and Comm. Tim Massey for the very gracious hospitality and gorgeous meeting room. We were so pleased to see past TN Comm. Skip Earl able to make the trip. Comm. Tim Massey Debria & Tony #6 Debbie S. & Pat #14, Debbie R. & Carolyn #1 Vonda with Skip Earl Proud Tennessean s Meeting!!! Lovely hats graciously donated by Fla. OCR member Lovely hostesses from Chapter #11 Lynda O Neal to help our legal fund. Thank you!!! Pres. Clara Craft and Ann Shepard. 3

4 Aunt Polly Eaton Williams ~ Chapter #10, Gainesboro, Tennessee April - Exciting spring starting with the state convention in beautiful Greeneville. Betty and I headed to Appomattox as soon as the OCR meeting ended. It was so emotional to see the flags furled at both the reenactment and Appomattox Courthouse National Park. Hated leaving Greeneville so soon but missing Appomattox would ve been even worse. 4 of our Rosebuds and I took part in a fashion show in Granville later in April. May Began with a school day and Moonshine and Cornbread Festival in Granville; a volunteer day at the Oaklands in Murfreesboro; volunteer day at Sam Davis Home in Smyrna; TN Tourism Week at the I-40 rest area; Poke Sallet Festival in Gainesboro; Battle of Resaca, Georgia; Granville Heritage Day (I got to shoot a bluecoat in the skirmish!); School program at Carthage Elem.; Memorial Day on the square in Livingston; and visit to the NBF Camp in Chattanooga to hear Va. Flagger Susan Hathaway. June Commenced much slower with our regular meeting in Gainesboro, where newest member Susan Richardson finally received membership certificates for herself and husband Charles. Confederate Memorial Day services in Lebanon and Cookeville. Attendance at the Cookeville and Crossville SCV meetings to hear fine speakers. Wrapping up June activities found us camping at the NBF Boyhood Home in Chapel Hill. WOW!!! Marcia and Susan crafting for ditty bags, Cookeville CS Memorial Day Tom, Ray, Vonda, Charles, and Susan Shirley, Lillie, Vonda at Poke Sallet; Mike #14, Vonda-TN Tourism; Chapter #5 Roses with Vonda at Oaklands 4

5 Roses of the Cumberlands ~ Chapter #1, Crossville, Tennessee Charles and Carolyn at the Cookeville CS Memorial Carolyn with our OCR Thorns (menfolks) at NBF Boyhood Home Carolyn, Charles, Dakota, Vonda, Greg with guest speaker Melinda Hedgecoth, Betty and Ruby at the Hamby Camp meeting. Lovely evening at the NB Forrest Camp in Chattanooga with OCR family to hear Susan Hathaway speak. 5

6 Jane Simmons Davis ~ Chapter #6, Murfreesboro, Tennessee Ladies, in light of our heritage being under attack I thought I would do this newsletter submission a little different. Most of you know my husband Tony, he was asked to do an article for camp 33 s newsletter it is so good I wanted to share with you all. I hope you all enjoy it as much as I did. Deo Vindice! Southern Cross In the days of the war, for real time communication between military commanders and their units in the field visual makers distinguished friendly units from the enemy, flags were of primary importance in the assessment of the battles. Accordingly, by the end of 1861 the Army of Northern Virginia adopted a (square) flag based on the design that had initially been rejected for the 1 st flag of the confederacy for their battle flag. This banner which became known as the Southern Cross was also later used in its rectangular form as the battle flag of the Army of Tennessee and the Naval Jack. The Confederate battle flag was never a flag of the Confederate government but by mid-point of the Civil War the Southern Cross had become so well-known and popular that it was incorporated as an element of the 2nd national flag, the flag that proceeded the Stars and Bars known as the Stainless Banner. The Stainless Banner was widely recognized at the time by citizens of the confederacy as a symbol of their nation and of their cause. The Confederate Battle flag today finds itself at the center of much controversy and propaganda. The cry to remove the flag from public display is unjustified and an assault on our southern heritage and our ancestors. It is important to remember that the confederate battle was simply just that a battle flag. So, how could it have flown over a slave nation, represented slavery or racism? This myth is fueled by a lack of education and lies. Those who vilify the confederate flag are very confused about our nation s history and have jumped on a band wagon with loose wheels. The confederate flag is not an authorized flag of the Aryan nation, KKK or any other hate group. These despicable organizations have taken a hallowed piece of history and stained the memory of the confederate soldiers who fought under this flag with their perverse agenda. In no way does the confederate flag represent hate or violence, we battle daily the damage done to our southern heritage by these hate groups and an incorrect written history. However, the fact remains that the confederate flag has long since became the pre-eminent symbol of the confederacy. The true meaning behind the confederate flag stands alone to defend these unjust claims. The flag was designed with a deep religious meaning as the battle flag of Northern Virginia, carried into battle with trinity believing Christians and was literally intended to put the fear of God into the hearts of the Yankee invaders. The red field on our beloved flag represents the Blood of Christ / Christianity, the blue cross represents the St. Andrews Cross/ purity, St. Andrews being the first disciple of Jesus, the white border represents the protection of God and the 13 stars represent each state that seceded from the union. The message in the confederate flag is through the Blood of Christ, with the protection of God, 13 states united in a Christian fight for liberty. So, how can white supremacist and racists groups use a flag that depicts a Jewish man s blood and a cross upon which a Jewish man was crucified? Don t tell someone they need a history lesson, give them one! Tony Beatey 1 st Lt. Commander Murfreesboro SCV Camp 33 OCR Thorn ~ Jane Simmons Davis Chapter #6 6

7 Antoinette Polk Chapter #20, Columbia, Tennessee On, June 20 th, the Antoinette Polk Chapter 20, participated in the Forrest Homecoming & Southern Festival, in Chapel Hill along with our sponsoring camp, Sam Watkins Camp #29. Our members had baked goodies and Confederate themed items for sale. One of our members also set up a display about dolls from the 1860s. It was a wonderful day spent with our SCV brothers. Members who participated were Bonnie Anderson, Kortney Brus, Pam Foster, Michelle Hendrickson, Mary Hood, Jackie Johnson Dottie Meadows, Janet Roberts, Anita Safian and Beth Sims. The week of June 22 nd, following the events in Charleston, SC, members of the Antoinette Polk Chapter 20, volunteered at the Sons of Confederate Veterans headquarters at Elm Springs in Columbia, TN. They also provided snacks for the SCV staff. Volunteers included Michelle Hendrickson, Dottie Meadows, Janet Roberts, Anita Safian, Beth Sims, Elizabeth Sowell and Rebecca Sowell. 7

8 Cynthia Holford Officer Chapter #18, Livingston, Tennessee I hope everyone is staying cool this summer (and dry! as I sit listening to a thunderstorm outside). Cynthia Holford Officer #18 has had a relatively quiet spring. I attended the 1st anniversary of the chartering of the Dibrell's White Roses chapter on Tuesday, April 7. On April 10th, Vonda and I headed east to Greeneville where Clara's chapter hosted a wonderful State Reunion, held at the John Hunt Morgan Inn in Greeneville. As always, it was wonderful to see all my OCR sisters and enjoy such a beautiful setting and tour the local area where Gen. John Hunt Morgan lived his last days. After the meeting on Saturday, Vonda and I headed to Appomattox, VA where we were privileged to see Gen. Robert E. Lee (Al Stone) surrender his troops to Gen. U.S. Grant (Curt Fields). I can't describe the sadness I felt on April 12th at the McLean House there in Appomattox, seeing our gallant boys in gray march up, stack arms and furl the flag, many soldiers kissing the flag as it was passed down. On Tuesday, May 5th, I attended the American Legion Meeting in Livingston at the invitation of Commander Larry Gunnels (and OCR Thorn) where I presented the true history of Memorial Day portraying Mrs. Elizabeth "Lizzie" Rutherford Ellis, who chose April 26, 1866 as the first Decoration Day in the South, commemorating the surrender of Confederate General Johnston at Bennett Place, NC. Saturday, May 9th found Karen Hensley and me at the Poke Sallet Festival in Gainesboro, cheering for our soldiers in the mock skirmish the Gainesboro Invincibles conducts every year. The following Saturday, May 25th, while driving my daughter, Sarah, to Northern VA for a summer internship, I had the pleasure of spending the night in Winchester and seeing the Winchester Court House and other Confederate sights in Old Town Winchester, VA. I arrived home in time to participate with Larry Gunnels and Karen Hensley in the Memorial Day program on the Square in Livingston, where we handed out flyers with the true history of Memorial Day and fielded compliments on our dresses. On Tuesday, May 26th, Vonda and I journeyed to Chattanooga to hear Susan Hathaway's presentation to the Chattanooga SCV Camp, which is always a wonderful experience and gets my blood pumping to do more for our Cause! Sunday, June 7, Betty Mullins, Larry Gunnels, and I attended the Confederate Memorial Day service at Cookeville City Cemetery. Larry Gunnels and I attended a delightful program given by Melinda Hedgecoth at the Crossville SCV Camp on Thursday, June 18. Melinda spoke about ways of telling the weather in the "old days" handed down by her mother, and many stories about her family history in the area. She even told a Civil War ghost story. Even with the sad turn our nation has taken and the blow to our Southern heritage, I am looking forward to National Reunion in July! Hope to see everyone there! God Bless Dixie and God (PLEASE) Save the South! Betty Aronson, President Memorial Day on the courthouse square in Livingston with Vonda, Ray, Chad, Karen, Mike, and Betty. 8

9 Rosebuds and Young Rebels the future of the South! Madison #1 was valedictorian!! #10 Rosebuds heading to Granville Anna in school program Confederate Cemetery, Resaca, GA Cassie and Anna camped at NBF Boyhood Home Poke Sallet Festival, Violet, Lora, and Skylee photobombing the Glynns! 9 Setting flags with SCV

10 Dibrell s White Roses Chapter #13, Sparta, Tennessee Celebrating the first year anniversary of the chapter s re-charter! Mariam Beck Forrest #5, Gleason, Tennessee Deb and Lou at the Oaklands Plus Jan, Lou, and Deb, along with Young Rebel Riley, spent a great weekend at Nathan Bedford Forrest Boyhood Home in Chapel Hill, Tennessee. 10

11 Society of the Black Rose Jackie Johnson, Keeper of the Rite Carolyn Hedgecoth #1 Bethel CS Cem. Knoxville Jackie Dennison #11 Cross of Honor dedication Jonesborough, TN Memorial Service Vonda Dixon, Susan Richardson, Betty Aronson and Carolyn Hedgecoth in Cookeville Michelle List, Chapter 20 (with Kortney Brus) Flagging with Maury Light Artillery, Polk Memorial Gardens, June 24 th 11

12 Alice Thompson Chapter #19, Summertown, Tennessee On top of Stone Mountain, Georgia. Flagging Confederate graves in the rain on Memorial Day. Highland Roses #14, Cookeville, Tennessee Confederate Memorial Day at the Cookeville City Cemetery