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Compatriots,
There
are a wide variety of sights and sounds that one could immediately
associate with the South or being Southern,
Nothing proclaims the heritage and honor of the South like the
sight of our sacred banner floating on a warm Southern breeze. It is a
scene that makes the heart swell, the blood run faster and it brings
forth a cheer from deep inside us.
Likewise,
no
sound can engender deep emotion, pride and strengthen our bonds
like the strains of Dixie! Whether
its
detractors like it or not,
no
other tune speaks to the honorable
history of the South, and indeed is ingrained in the
American psyche as the distinctive tune of Dixie.
Our feelings toward this song are many-faceted, depending
on its presentation. It, at times, can cause
us to feel deep emotion, and at other times jubilation.
I
will
recall for you three occasions
when hearing Dixie left
a particular impression on me, and I am sure
many, if
not most of you, will be able to relate.
First, I took part in the 135th reenactment of the Battle of Gettysburg, which by all accounts was the largest reenactment ever staged. It was estimated that more than 25,000 men were in uniform on the
field for those three days. It was a long trip for our unit, traveling from Louisiana.
We had marched, fought, sweated and slept on the ground for three days and nights. This incredible experience culminated on Sunday afternoon
with
a full-scale staging of Pickett's Charge. We lined up in the camp area and made our march down the side of the field
toward where we would gather in the tree line that was
the
staging ground for the assault. It
was
a sight to behold! A line of gray with
gleaming rifle barrels and flags as far as the eye could
see in each
direction. As we went over the top of a hill
there
stood a full Confederate
military brass band. Just as we were passing them, simultaneously
the
wind kicked up, setting
our
Battle Flags out from their
staffs, and the band blasted forth with a spirited rendition of Dixie.
The
emotions and élan that came over the men were indescribable. You could almost
feel that the men in the column would have
continued on to the front even if we were suddenly
with our ancestors
and
the moment was real.
Second - In the little community of Keatchie,
LA, there is a cemetery where
about 100 unknown Confederates are buried, men
who died as a result of the Battle of Mansfield
in April of 1864. For several years local camps have worked to clean, restore
and upgrade the property. Through the efforts of
these Compatriots, more than 90 headstones
were acquired from the Veterans Administration and a new,
large
flagpole was installed, after which
a dedication
ceremony was held and well-done. At one point in the
proceeding,
those
of us in uniform knelt by the graves of the unknown heroes while
all sang a slow a capella version of Dixie.
I am not ashamed to admit that this brought
tears to my eyes.
Third is an event as memorable as the first two, but for completely different
reasons. I had the honor of commanding a
color guard at a rather large and elaborate marker-dedication
about ten years ago.
Previously unknown Confederate graves had been found near a battle site, and a monument was erected to denote
who they were and how they came to rest there. This event was very well-attended. There were participants from many organizations and from many parts of the country. The service of a renowned performer from a nearby opera company was arranged to sing the various songs on the program. The cannon and rifles were fired and the Colors were presented. Then it was time to sing Dixie. The
lady
approached the microphone and then hesitantly backed away. She meekly informed those present that she did not know the words!
Of course, we were aghast, but for two reasons. The participants were aghast not only because
she did not know Dixie,
but also the sad fact that the organizers
had
failed to ensure this detail.
This
should never happen.
I would tend to believe
that most Compatriots know the genius of the song. Daniel D. Emmett
wrote and first performed
it in April of 1859. This makes 2009 the sesquicentennial, or 150th anniversary, of our beloved anthem. At the October 2008
General
Executive Council meeting the GEC passed a resolution naming 2009 as the Year of DIXIE! We should, of course, spend this year doing all the work the charge requires us do to, but we need to put a special emphasis on this most Southern of Songs that is just as much under attack as our beloved Confederate Battle Flag.
Here are a few suggestions on how to promote Dixie. First and foremost, we must always sing it. At every event, meeting, public program or any other type of gathering we have to make sure it is sung. When we have booths
or
living histories set up for the public, we need to include
information and
materials on Dixie
to
give the public.
We
should have Dixie
playing
as background music at every opportunity. If your
camp is doing a program for a school, Scout group or
at any
venue, teach them Dixie!
By
the
time this article reaches you we will have a brochure for this purpose posted on the SCV Web site for you to download and use.
Throughout the Year of DIXIE I look forward to
hearing
about
your successes in this regard
throughout the Year of Dixie. As I travel around the Confederation,
I
shall
look forward to standing with you as we sing this beautiful manifestation of all we hold dear.
Stand
for DIXIE!
Charles
E. McMichael
Commander-in-Chief
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