Sunday, April 6, 2008

The Gen. Lafayette McLaws Camp #79, Sons of Confederate Veterans, will be sponsoring the following activities this month (April)

War of 1812 and Confederate gravemarker dedication
Saturday, April 12, 2:00 pm
Tyrone Cemetery next to Tyrone Town Hall
Sponsored by the McLaws Camp, and descendants of Henry Stewart and Andrew McDearmond from Ohio, and Texas. The public is invited to attend.

Old Fashioned Southern Social
Saturday, April 26, 2:00 pm till 4:00 pm;
Gazebo area of Heritage Park, Fayetteville
SCV families will have on display a collection of War Between the States related photos, and momentos and will be on duty to speak with the public about their own family connection to the period including tips and sources on how to get started in doing genealogical research. Free ice cream and drinks for visitors.

In conjunction with this event, the McLaws Camp's Living History Team will have an authentic Confederate camp site set up on the grounds of the Holliday Dorsey Fife House Museum. Soldiers will be on duty to display camp equipment, weapons, uniforms, etc to the public. They will also exhibit manual of arms, and drills performed by the soldiers of the period. The camp will be open from 9:00 am until 4:00 pm.

At 7:00 pm that evening, the day will finish with the annual observance of Confederate Memorial Day. The ceremony will begin at 7:00 pm at the gazebo and will feature uniformed soldiers, bagpipes, and an address by Mrs. Darlene Thomason. Mrs. Thomason is a distinguished Living Historian, and a leading advocate of historical preservation in the Southern Crescent. After the ceremony there, the attendees will walk as a group to the Fayetteville City Cemetery for a brief memorial service for the nearly 100 Confederate veterans buried there. A rifle salue and wreath laying ceremony will complete the evening.

Over the past several weeks, The City of Fayetteville, Fayette County Board of Commissioners, The Town of Brooks, The City of Peachtree City, and the Town of Tyrone have all issued proclamations (as has Gov. Perdue) designating April as Confederate History and Heritage Month, and honoring April 26 as Confederate Memorial Day in Georgia.

CMD is a State holiday and has been since 1874. It is Georgia's oldest holiday, and the inspiration for national Memorial Day in May. That celebration was created by Mrs. (General) John Logan, wife of a former Union General, after she attended a post-war Confederate memorial. She was so impressed with the occasion, that she enlisted her husband to help creat a day honoring all US veterans from all wars that died or were killed during war time.

The McLaws Camp serves all of Fayette County. It is active in supporting other local historical organizations, and works very closely with local schools (approximately 13 school visits each year), Scout groups, and others to present Living History programs to both school children, and adults in and around Fayette County. In addition, the members of the Camp install grave markers for Confederate veterans, clean and maintain cemeteries, and assist families in doing genealogical research. The Camp is a member of the Fayette County Chamber of Commerce.

For more information on any of these events please contact:
Scott K. Gilbert, Jr.
Past Commander, and Chairman, Confederate Memorial Day Committee
McLaws Camp #79, SCV
skgbama@bellsouth.net
www.fayettescv.org
cell 404-449-2521
home 770-716-5344

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