Robert Arnold
Missouri Division
Heritage Defense
Committee Chairman

    
     It's been a bit of slow year from your Heritage Defense Committee standpoint.  We've been witness to activity around us, such as the attack on the name “Confederate" on a building at Vanderbilt Univ., attacks on Confederate parks and monuments in Memphis, and various attacks on school children's wearing apparel, all of which we've been kept abreast of.  But nothing of such significance in Missouri, except for last year's destruction of  our SCV recruiting billboard along I-70 at Danville by vandals. 

     It remains, then, that our primary concern continues to lie with our flag fight at Higginsville and Pilot Knob.  Legislative attempts continue, and we have developed preliminary drafting for flag poles on adjacent private property, but this is on hold pending other Division business.

     But my mind has been wandering.  I wonder what would happen if we took turns, as individuals, carrying our beloved banner up and down the rows and around the property at Higginsville each weekend?  There are about 550 of us, not all able bodied, available or willing, but I'd guess that of those who would volunteer,  each one would not have to do it more often than twice per year.  I'd take my turn. 

     And I wonder what would be the reception in the hallowed halls of Jefferson City should the SCV, as an organization, make an offer to help with the maintenance work at Higginsville and at teams  of a half dozen or so, once a month at

each site to help with the trimming, liter pick up, Pilot Knob?    We could volunteer to work  in painting, cleaning benches, tables, markers and monuments, raking and perhaps even grass cutting.  We'd be saving the state some $s, at no cost to ourselves, and perhaps, by making ourselves useful, may even establish a bargaining wedge somewhere down the line.   There's an old saying that you catch more flies with honey than with vinegar. 

      These are just a couple of personal thoughts for the purpose of this column, have not been discussed in committee nor in council, and if worthy of consideration, these or any other ideas would be subject to both, of course.  

     Historical note - President Jefferson Davis's General Order in April, 1865, offered freedom to slaves who would volunteer for military service, and we like to think that it  was this nation's first real emancipation proclamation, since Lincoln's of 1862 freed no slaves at the time, nor was it intended to.  But a little known fact of history is that neither of these was the first official to issue freedom to slaves in our nation's history.     It was General George Washington.   He accepted black troops into his Continental army, both freemen and slaves, offering the slaves their freedom for serving.  A regiment of black troops was made up - the First Rhode Island - and they distinguished themselves during the Battle of Newport. 

Bob Arnold,
Heritage Defense Chairman

Email your thoughts or comments to Bob at  rsa.sma2@juno.com

<< Previous / Next Page >>