Tony Spangler – 10/23/2011 Message
Steph Bolling pointed me your way HK. Just saw your speech on the hill sat about the flag. Really enjoyed it. They just didnt show enough.
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From: HK Edgerton [hk.edgerton@gmail.com]
Date: Mon, Oct 24, 2011Dear Tony,
I was sadden to hear the accounts of Lt. Tipton’s demise, but so honored and elated to be at this ceremony to honor he and the other members of this community and great State who gave of their lives in service of the Southern Army.
I was somewhat surprised to hear the hate filled and contradictions of the message of Ms. Dawn Peters in her position at the Watauga Historical Association and especially her interpretation of what constitutes an American flag, and a community. These men came from this community and the Confederate flag is as American as hot dogs, apple pie, and Chevrolet.
In this the Sesquicentennial of the War Between the States , it is time for Historical Associations and America to come clean, and quit demonizing the honorable people of the South, while using the African people as the weapon of choice of which to do so at no reward for them, but continued negative social mobility as they move farther from the place of love, honor and dignity their ancestors earned beside a man they not only called Master, but family and friend. A man who that African, freed, or indentured stood by before, during and after the War, and who and his ancestors have a shared interest in the Southern Flag, because it is as much theirs. as any Red, Yellow, or White man of the South.
And on this day it was an honor for me, the son of former slaves to be at the Table of Brotherhood laid out in Green Hills Cemetery speaking out for those dry bones who could no longer speak out for themselves and the honorable stand they made in defense of their homeland that had been illegally invaded, and the Constitutional Republic and the laws of the Constitution meant to govern it’s people. God bless you.
Your brother,
HK