Lunch With a New Camp Member

Last Tuesday I met with a new member for lunch.  The member is Compatriot David.

David works as an educator in Santa Clara County, and is enthusiastic about his Confederate heritage and efforts to preserve, protect it and defend it.  He is a devout Christian and serves both his heritage and his faith by personal meetings with others, and sharing documents, links and information with them.  He was pleased with my first newsletter, about "Surviving the Anti-Confederate Intifada," which he plans to share with others.

A well-spoken, distinguished looking man with a handsome beard, Dave presents a positive image of who we are and what we're all about.  He involves his family in heritage activities, including re-enactments.  His two young sons and daughter accompany him in these pursuits, sometimes dressed in period attire -- the boys in Confederate uniforms, the little daughter looking precious in her Southern Belle bonnet.

We exchanged a lot of information in our hour-long talk, about personalities to follow on FaceBook, books to read, activities to attend.  Dave is planning to attend the California Division's annual meeting in March, where he will meet many more followers of our cause.  I am sure he will be warmly welcomed and well-liked there.  Due to my work as a CPA doing tax preparation, I won't be able to attend the California meeting, but am seriously considering attendance at the annual meeting of the Sons in Dallas, this coming July.  I invited Dave to attend as well.

Meeting with Dave impressed me with the benefits of personal, face-to-face meetings, such as only Camp meetings can provide.  It is heart-warming to be in the presence of brothers (and sisters) who share our allegiances and values.  We inspire each other, brainstorm ideas and dissect problems to be solved.

Dave said we may be able to have a camp meeting at his home in San Jose.  We will need a speaker who can interest other members in attending, and Dave has some ideas on that.  He also has a video in mind that we can all watch and learn from.

There is a big difference in seeing fellow member names on a membership roll, and meeting the flesh-and-blood members face to face.  Meeting with Dave convinced me of that.  So we will have camp meetings, as well as digital (online) ones.  We are determined to accomplish this!

Deo Vindice!

Gary Waltrip, Commander, Camp 1440 "Stainless Banner."

P.S.  Dave advised me that I misprinted the name of this blog in the last newsletter.  That explains why hardly any member has visited here as yet.  The correct address of our blog is SCVCamp1440.blogspot.com.  I will get a new newsletter out soon to inform the members.

I also want to acknowledge the good folks who have contacted me to voice their support, including member Dan C of San Leandro, who sent me a past newsletter and other heritage material.  Dan also liked my last newsletter and expressed some welcome enthusiasm for our new efforts at making Camp 1440 a success.  Thanks Dan, much appreciated!