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Bro. H.K. In Delaware



From: terry ayers [mailto:terrywayers@msn.com]
Sent: Thursday, November 06, 2008
To: hk@csaweb.org

H.K. – we are forever in your debt for coming to Delaware to educate the people (and politicians) about the honorable role Southern Blacks had in the struggle for Southern Independence, as well as the true meaning of the flag – representing the Southern soldier for whom
defending home & family was the primary reason to take up arms. I think you gave a lot of people a lot to think about – including VP-Elect Joe Biden who looked on with interest and a smile as you gave your oration; plus Delaware Congressman Mike Castle who sat front and
to the left of the stage and seemed fascinated by your presence.

You are a man of courage and conviction, a man cut from the same cloth as many others I have read about in the books ‘Black Confederates” and “Black Confederates in Southern Armies”.

An honor to know you sir. You are an inspiration to us all.

Some photo’s attached. Thanks,

Terry Ayers
Adjutant
Delaware Grays

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On Wednesday November 8, 2008, I would travel the some ten and one half hours to the beautiful town of Georgetown, Delaware at the request of the Delaware Grays Camp 32068 of the Sons of Confederate Veterans to participate in the Return Day celebrations event. I would be given the honor of leading the congregation of the Sons and members of the United Daughters and other family members in the parade event.

All along the parade route we would be showered with an unprecedented show of affection from the throng of spectators gathered. However, I must admit that I have now become accustomed to this kind of display of love given to the Southern soldier from events such as these, but I had not expected to see it this far north.

When we made our way to the star studded reviewing stand that included the Honorable Vice President Elect Joe Biden, the Sons would come to attention, and I would recite several verses from the State Commander of the Tennessee Sons of Confederate Veterans (Dr. Michael Bradley) now famous poem, “I Am Their Flag.” After a thunderous ovation from the crowd and those on the stands and hugs from all around, we would continue on.

As we made our way to the final leg of our glorious journey, we came upon several Black citizens who were pouring alcohol beverages from the trunk bed of a truck parked in the yard of a home. One of the ladies in an apparent drunken stupor hurled several expletives in the direction of our formation and shouted out Obama. Unaware of my presence for I had lagged somewhat behind the others because I had been busy hugging a group of Latino babies who had been waving so enthusiastically as we had approached them, she cried out when she finally spotted me; “you dumb nigger”, this ain’t the South! You carrying that flag and trying to act like a White man. My response to
her was: My dear lady, had your family lived in the South or remained in the South long enough to listen to the sermons of the Honorable Rev. R.L. Dabney of Prince Edward County, Virginia, you would not have shamed yourself with the use of such vulgar language in the presence of all these babies and citizens, and furthermore, like me, you would be proud of the place of honor that people of the South who look like you and I earned under this honorable flag that I carry also in respect on this day for their memory. I am sure that Mr. Obama would be ashamed of your behavior and I hope that his Vice President will carry back to him the message that I delivered today; this honorable flag is history, heritage, not hate. It is the inspiration of valor from the past, and may God bless you also dear. Hearing my words, the men who had been drinking with her told her that she needed to shut her mouth, and asked me to please excuse her behavior. At the urging of the Sons and Daughters, I would bid them adieu and move on.

It had been an incredible day for me above the Mason Dixon. My only regret was that I had come through Washington too early and too late to visit a dear friend and brother who had become a champion and hero in his own right when he headed up my hometown newspaper in Asheville, N.C., and now lived in the nation’s capitol. May God continue to bestow blessings upon him and his family.