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The Historic Apple Festival Parade

At the request of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, I would join them in marching in the
Annual Historic Apple Festival Parade, a focal event that culminates the festival after
several days of festivities in downtown Hendersonville, North Carolina. As is usual in
most of the events that the Sons and Daughters of the Confederacy, the ladies of the Rose,
and others decked out in their period clothes participate; they would receive a thunderous
reception from the thrones of spectators gathered on this Labor Day.

Less than a block, I had broken ranks with the soldiers and had began to thoroughly
enjoyed myself, hugging, sharing laughter, posing for many a camera shot with many a
citizen, both Red, Yellow, Black and White; young, old and somewhere in between. On
this day they would shout out and cheer for the Confederate Soldiers honorable name,
never mind that so many had tried to disgrace him in shame. I would find myself in the
midst of the crowd, somewhat lagging the ranks of the soldiers processional file,
surrounded by several beautiful Black girls. As I hugged the last of these girls, one held
onto my hand, and asked as the last of the Sons and ladies of the South’s passed by; but
don’t they hate us? Yes said another, it was on the ticker tape on Fox News this morning
that they do. No, I exclaimed! We are family. Getting further behind in the parade, I
explained to the girls who had seen the Fox report on the visitation of the Ku Klux
Klan’s in Gettysburg, that only said in that ticker tape: “the Klan had visited Gettysburg
where Lincoln had given the Gettysburg address, and reiterated their hatred of Blacks,
Jews, Gays, and Latinos. They went on to report that several groups came to protest the
Klan behind a barricade. What Fox did not tell these babies, was that one of those very
groups that came to protest the Klan’s action, were men and women dressed in those
very same uniforms and period dresses, carrying that very same glorious banner that I so
very proudly stood their holding as my Southern family shouted out my name; I hug the
girls once again, and as I hurried away, these same young ladies would shout out; Mr.
Edgerton, we love you too!

HK Edgerton