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Hello, I’m Abby / An Open Letter & Open Report / Greenville, Tennessee, SCV Meeting / Conversations In The Streets
From: “HK Edgerton” [hk.edgerton@gmail.com]
Date: Oct 10, 2019
Subject: Hello, I’m Abby / An Open Letter & Open Report / Greenville, Tennessee, SCV Meeting / Conversations In The Streets
To: “LM S” [Lunelle63@gmail.com]Dear Ms. Lunelle,
On Tuesday, October 8, 2019, (My sister’s Birthday), I would arrive several hours early before I would have to speak to the Sons of Confederate Veterans, their families, friends and members of the public.
With all that time on my hands, don in the uniform of the Southern soldier, I would post his colors at the intersection of Highway 70 and West Main Street in Greenville, Tennessee.
After about an hour of hugging, posing for pictures, accepting so much praise from those who stopped and passed by, to include a Black man who kept circling the corner where I stood. I could not make out what he was saying, and finally he parked his car and sauntered over to where I stood. I must say that I was very leary about his presence.
However, he was very polite, and asked if I would explain to him the audacity of my presence don a Confederate soldiers uniform, while brandishing the battle flag in obvious pride that solicits from so many who view this spectacle the same.
“Listen and pay attention, I said, as so many cars passed, honking their horns, many shouting out my name, with the Rebel Yell thrown in for good measure, uplifting the spirits of my Southern family. “What family? They all white folks, and that’s their flag?” No sooner had he made this proclamation than would a car full of Black folks passed us by yelling out my name and throwing in the Rebel Yell to boot.
Before I could answer another question that he asked, several cars had parked, and about ten White folks and their babies were upon us. They began hugging me, shaking my hand. It was an expression of love that my Black friend shall never forget. He heard them say, “It’s not a racist flag. It has nothing to do with hate.” On and on it went with the Black listening.
I finally intervened, and asked the gentleman to repeat his last question. “No sir,” he said, “It has been answered.” As the many folks now gathered readied themselves to leave, they began to hug me again, shake my hand, and the Black gentleman asked, “Can I get a hug too?” I complied as he walked away with a big grin on his face.
I would make my way down the street to the Mexican restaurant where the Sons meeting was being held, suck up some love from my baby girl Anna,(Commander Todd’s daughter) and the wonderful people gathered who had come to hear me run my mouth. It was a great night in Dixie! God bless you!
Your brother,
HK
Chairman, Board of Advisors Emeritus, Southern Legal Resource Center
Recipient, Key of the City, Toccoa, Georgia
Recipient, Mississippi Division, Sons of Confederate Veterans, John L. Harris Award
Recipient, United Daughters of the Confederacy, Jefferson Davis Medal
Honorary Life Member, Forest Orphans Camp 1744, Sons of Confederate Veterans
Honorary Life Member, Bradford Rose Camp 1638, Sons of Confederate Veterans
Honorary Life Member, North Carolina, Tennessee and Georgia Orders of the Confederate Rose
Member, Save Southern Heritage Florida
President, Southern Heritage 411
