The Family Holiday

The morning of the 4th of July had finally arrived, dad had the day off and the family was for once all together.  Dad worked as computer technician, setting up and programming corporate and business computers.  We had been discussing for several days what the family could do together, but finally decided we'd attend the annual parade down Main Street.  The crowds were expected to be large, so we got up early and made preparations.  We are a family that celebrates Confederate history, heritage, culture and nationhood, so in going to the 4th of July parade, we naturally ask ourselves: If it is about liberty, where then is our liberty as Confederates and Southerners?   Dad had told the family several times about the critical battles of the 'War for Confederate Independence.'   When Independence Day arrived every year, my mind would recall the story about the siege and surrender of Vicksburg, which ended on the 4th of July.  Somehow it all sounded like a double standard to a little kid like me:  Liberty for them Yankees was fine, but not for the South except under their rule, and according to their definition of 'liberty.'

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Getting the whole family ready was a trick at our house!   We had two bathrooms and I have to share mine with my sister Susan who is 14 years old, and who goes by the nickname 'Dixie.'   My name is Jacob - everyone calls my Jake!   I am her 9-year-old kid brother!   My sister takes her time and I end up having to hurry in between her occupying the bathroom.  I tell my dad but all he does is smile and say 'the struggles of manhood my son.'   Well anyhow we finally piled into the mini-van and were off to the parade.  Dad had decided to try Florida Avenue, which paralleled Main Street on the east side, in hopes that maybe there'd still be an empty parking spot.  Then we'd only have a block to walk to the parade route.  We circled the block several times and finally found a spot: A car had decided to depart, leaving an empty space.  It was still about 45 minutes before the parade was due to start, and already the crowd was gathering.

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There was a one block square somewhat small Park between our car and Main Street, so as we passed through the park we all noticed the tables had been readied.  These preparations included food counters, games and all kinds of items for sale, including flags.  Naturally most of the merchandise was Yankee stuff!  Never could understand how they became so dominant in the Southland!   But I saw at least one table back off to one side, which was displaying Confederate flags of several variations.  I decided then and there, I'd have to return and check it out a little later!   For the moment I just had to finish ribbing my sister: Isn't that what kid brothers always do?   On the Main Street side of the park a Judges Stand had been set up for the parade so we paused to look down the street to our right, the northerly direction which the parade would be coming from.  It seemed natural enough, given all those Yankee outfits expected in the parade.   Where in the world are all of our Southern People these days, our boys in gray and our flags?  Nothing but Yankee everything these days!

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Dad had occasionally mentioned a Confederate Organization, which wasn't very old, and I believe he called it The Confederate Legion.  He'd even considered joining it, but said he wanted to know more, so he could see how it turned out in practice before he himself made a commitment.  Momma said that if he did, she'd join the Southern Belles portion of the organization, which supports the Confederate Legion and provides escort during their showings.   I went from table to table, even played a couple of the games, at least the ones that were open.  Finally I heard dad hollering; 'Come on Jake, the parade is about to begin.'   Momma was busy herself rounding up my sister Dixie.  But finally we were all rounded up and the parade started down Main Street and heading our way!

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We could see them coming about five blocks away as they began to turn the corner onto the parade route.  The sidewalks were really crowded with people by this time!   There first came a National Guard Color Guard with all kinds of flags, all Yankee of course except maybe the State Flag.  There come a bunch of little kids with Uncle Sam hats, fancy flag T-shirts and flag skirts for the girls.  Some of them were beating on small drums and blowing on carnival type horns.  The first to make their approach was the local high school band, afterward the American Legion.  All of them received and abundance of cheers all right, but I was still looking for our boys in gray.  Where were they and would they make an appearance in this year’s parade?   The Junior College had fielded a Drum and Bugle Corps which was very good, but still not what I was looking for.  The Marine Corps had entered a Precision Drill Team in the parade, and they were just about now rounding the corner.  I couldn't deny they did give an outstanding performance!  Our boys when they came, would have to do well, to beat these boys, they were very good.

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Each unit as they passed the parade judges stand, gave some kind of recognition: Some saluted, while others stopped and gave a performance.  But my eyes were still glued toward the spot where the parade was rounding the corner.  A half hour passed since the parade began, and no sight of our boys.  Off to the side from were we were standing, a boy of about 12 or 13 could be heard asking his mother, exactly what I was thinking: Where are our boys?   I could hear my own dad whispering mostly to himself, since he spoke in much to low of a tone for the lady nearby to have heard: "They are coming son, they are surely coming.  By the grace and divine providence of Almighty God, our boys in gray will be coming.  After nearly a century and a half of absence, they are finally returning and in full strength."My dad couldn't have been more precise in his statement, for at that very moment, around the corner they came, being preceded by about 300 Southern Belles with their Southern Belle dresses and parasols.  Some were walking, while others were onboard a flat bed wagon float, which was drawn by a team of work horses and beautifully decked out in the theme called Southern Graces.  It resembled a Southern Garden with flowers, plants and of all sorts of things as would be in a parade, even a waterfall.  They also had several Southern Gentlemen onboard and an abundance of Confederate Flags of various types.  A couple tunes were playing form large speakers as they moved along the parade route: The Bonnie Blue Flag song, Dixie and others could each be heard in their turn.  As the spectacle approached I was pleasantly surprised, they received the loudest cheers and applause of any entry in the parade.   A group of about a hundred anti-South bigots across the street looked like they wanted to cause trouble, but given the large number of police as well as the tone of the crowd, they held their peace.   These troublemakers hadn't seen anything yet: if the Southern Belles troubled them, wait until the troops come.

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Well, after nearly 45 minutes into the parade, they finally turned the corner!  Good Lord Almighty God I thought, nothing on earth could have prepared the crowd for the glorious treat soon to come our way.  Around the corner came the Confederate Legion Color Guard!  Lead out by the Confederate Chaplain's Flag, afterward the Third National, Navy Jack, Battle Flag and the beautiful blue Confederate Legion Flag, with the legion Phoenix and Saint Andrews Cross in white Stars.   Afterward the remaining flags of the Confederacy:  First and Second National, Bonnie Blue and the Flags of the Member States of the Confederacy.   Afterward there came the Confederate Legion Band, about 100 members strong.  But their uniforms were out of this world I thought!  Somehow they had taken all the historic uniforms of the Confederacy and blended them into a single modern crack uniform, like nothing upon this earth.  A real show stopper!   Every eye was glued to the spectacle approaching from the north end of town: Jefferson Davis should be alive to see this!   The crowds in the park behind us began to move toward us so as to see if possible, what the ruckus was about.

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Down the parade route they came, column after column past the Judges Stand, to the accompanying of cheers like unto nothing ever heard, more closely resembling a roar like those one would expect to hear at packed sports coliseum.  However, no sporting event ever garnered cheers like this!  The Color Guard paused before the judges stand, dipped their colors as the band played Our Song Dixie.  I notice my father and several others gave a military salute, while many civilian men placed their hats over their hearts!  The judges gave a most serious look but never an expression, which would give away their thoughts, but reacted like statues frozen in place.  I thought to myself: "we lost this one already!"  One gentleman stepped out onto the street hollering as if in tears of joy: "Our flags, our flags. Our boys in gray, they have returned!"  The Southern Belles with their float passed the judges stand, paused, then gave a performance and continued southward.  The anti-South bigots across the street must have felt this was the wrong time to speak out, but they did look mighty ugly, while remaining silent and murmuring in low tones amongst themselves.  This was their worst nightmare come true!

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Then came and the main event and more spectacular then could have been imagined.  Down the street came 5,000 Confederate Legionnaires!  They were divided into companies and regiments.   These boys weren't anything like anyone had ever seen, and they weren't a bunch of good ole boys out for a stroll, these were crack troops!  As they turn the corner the shear numbers and precision of their long columns caused the sound of their new Confederate Legion Boots to click against the pavement like rolling claps of thunder on the horizon.   Their uniforms of gray were very modern, with military type collars!  Officers uniforms, trimmed with gold colors and a stripe down the side of their trousers, in the appropriate width for their rank.  Enlisted men wore the trim color according to their branch of service:  Confederate States Army, Navy, Marines, Air Corps and Border Patrol, etc.  I couldn't help notice, the top two enlisted ranks also wore strips on their trousers, which were not gold like the officers but the color of their branch of service, and narrower then the officers.

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The officers wore on their caps; the insignia "C.S.A." surrounded by the 'Confederate Wreath' and the enlisted wore the new 'Confederate Phoenix' insignia on their caps.  Their military caps and uniforms were unlike anything in existence, and had to be the sharpest military uniform ever designed.  Made of the finest military uniform material!   They carried precision parade rifles, which glistened in the sun and fired black cartridges.   These parade rifles were trimmed in chrome and were highly polished!  As the forward ranks approached the judges platform, the Commander of the Confederate Legion, called the columns to a halt using a whistle, then to attention, while faced off to their left.  They then gave a most memorable performance one could imagine before the judges!

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Their rifles clicked on the pavement in unison, as they maneuvered for a full rifle salute to the assembled judges.   The sound of 5,000 rifles being fired echoed across the city!   Even the most hardened judges had to give a wee bit of an expression, as the corners of their mouths finally gave way into a smile.  The Confederate Legion had stolen the show and on a Yankee holiday!   It could be said that not only did their performance out pace anything in the parade, but also I venture to say, anything in the 50 States.  Their uniforms looked one hundred percent Confederate, while at the same time were very modern, possessing the greatest military of decorum ever witnessed in a uniform.  The legionnaires wore what was later described as a Confederate Battle Flag Ribbon on their upper left chest.  Indicating they had passed military survival training.  These weren't just 'good ole boys' off the street, but trained troops of the Confederate States of America.  These troops were not only highly trained and qualified soldiers, sailors and airmen in every aspect, save that they did not bear arms, yet.

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As they turned and marched away, my dad looked at me with a pleasant smile, then at mom.  "I do believe I am ready to join The Confederate Legion!  Where's their table?"   We turn and headed for the Confederate Legion table, and as we arrived we notice it was surrounded by a multitude of others who obviously had the same idea.  By this time several Legionnaire Sergeants were calling the crowd to attention, so they could speak.  Ladies and gentlemen, spoke a Sergeant Major: "There are thankfully so many of you, it is impractical that we should be able to adequately address everyone individually.  Therefore allow me to present our program in a manor in which I will describe to you, afterward feel free to pick up a booklet and an application form.  Any particular questions you may have can be asked of us after I have finished speaking and you have read our pamphlet."

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The sergeant gave us an excellent speech about the Confederate Legion, how it was created and financed.  Their sponsorship program carried out by multitude of people not unlike any among our own numbers who have made generous contributions.  "Additionally" the sergeant said: "we are supported by a growing number of corporate sponsors, who like ourselves believe" (the sergeant smiling) "our program is good for their profit margin.  Training Camps," the sergeant went on, "is provided by ranchers and land owners in various States.   We provide our own gun safety program, which not only teaches gun safety, but how to professionally operate and maintain a large variety of weapons.  And, we do so according to law!"  My dad's eyes glistened and I had no doubt at that moment, he was completely hooked.

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That parade happened many years ago, I am now in my late thirties and a Colonel in the Confederate States Army.  My father did join the legion that day, and helped it grow into a great and mighty political powerhouse.  He even helped with the design and construction of a small but effective fleet of Confederate Legion naval training ships.  Ships, which went on tour, docking in foreign ports and gaining, needed support for a free and independent Confederacy.   My father is retired now, but the Confederate Legion went on to lay the initial groundwork, upon which we were able to reconstitute and build the Confederate States Armed Forces, in a liberated and independent Confederate States of America.

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The Confederate Legion had rallied and recruited the finest talent and minds in the Southland, even extending to the allies and friends of the Confederate States, both stateside and abroad.  Thereby making the transition as difficult as it was, still easier then it might have been.  Thus the story of The Confederate Legion passes into the history of a nation reborn.   It’s flag still proudly on display, at the Confederate States Military Academy at Lexington Virginia.

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