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Tampa / An Open Report



Dear Gary,

I truly appreciate the kindest and support that you and so many others have expressed to me in regards to the action taken by the State Commander of the Sons of Confederate Veterans in Florida. And I would encourage you all to please attend the Tampa Park dedication event on April 25, 2009. My dear friends of the Honorable General Jubal Early Camp and the Daughters under the direction of my dearest friend and sister, Ms. Lunelle Seigle, have put in so much effort to make this event successful, and I know that her husband Bart is looking down upon us from Heaven with great anticipation that it be so.

It would be very hard for me to explain the pain and disappointment that I now feel. However this event is so much bigger than HK Edgerton. I know what my mom would say to me right now: “Son, remember The Lords Prayer: FATHER FORGIVE US OUR TRESPASSES AS WE FORGIVE THOSE WHO TRESPASS AGAINST US”. It is so hard for me to speculate on any of this. Just maybe I have been overly zealot in thinking that all would accept my anticipated run for Commander In Chief of the Sons of Confederate Veterans. I probably should now take a giant step back. I fully understand what happened to Jesus when he entered the mosque and turned over the tables of the money changers. However, there is not a day that goes by that my computer screen is not filled with pleas from someone in my Southern family for help because some entity has trampled upon their Southern Heritage.

I make no pretense that I have the answers to change this terrible wrong that presents itself to the Southland of America and her people. However, I have tried to do my best to work to change it, and have tried to surround myself with like minded individuals. I am humbled by the Honors and praise that has been heaped upon me and my family, but seek them not. When the day comes that little Candice Hardwick, Tommy Defoe, Paul McClaren, the men of Dupont, T.K. Owens, Emily McDonald, Ashley Thomas and Aubrey McCallum of Burleson High School in Texas, the babies of Hayes High School, Maryville High School, Blount County High School, the Boy Scouts in Richmond, and so many, many more will not have to face the institutionalized Southern bigotry and continued decay of the constitutional authority meant to protect them against such; then and only then will I feel joy.

Your Brother,

HK Edgerton