As usual, the Blankenship Camp met with our Brothers of the Brooks Camp at the IOGPA building in Mt. Vernon. Our last regular meeting was held in February, due to the Lee-Jackson Dinner/Dance being in March. We were joined by Brothers from the Dixon Camp, as well. In keeping with our usual "dispense with business as quickly as possible" theory, we moved right on to the program of sorts, by yours truly, T Warren Commander. On the occasions that I am asked to present a program for someone (other than our camp), I try to organize and present a well-researched and interesting program. However, in the company of the men and brothers of my camp, I prefer to keep it personal and comfortable, without rambling, if possible.

At last camp meeting, I was most pleased to advise those in attendance that my youngest daughter, Mayme, age 13, had just been named "Young Confederate for 2004" by the James Knox Camp 2022 of Waynesville, GA. They were so taken by Mayme's dedication in fighting for truth in history at her school, that they not only awarded her, but also gave her her very own webpage on the 2022 website. Mayme will be included in an upcoming Camp 2022 DVD that will be used in the school system of Georgia. She was awarded a plaque and a REAL Georgia '56 flag, which had been used to flag GA governon Sonny Purdue, and signed by members of Camp 2022. As a father, I couldn't be more proud.

    Moving along, but staying in Georgia, the rest of this report from 1802 will relate the events of the March 31 - April 2, 2004. With the well-wishes of our Brothers from Camps Brooks, Dixon, and Douglas, my wife, daughter and I headed southbound to Georgia for the Heritage Rally that was held April 1 at the capitol in Hellanta. After a three hour delay in Kentucky when our van broke down, we were on our way once again to our evening's destination at the home of Lijah Coleman, Georgia's most famous flagger, and founder of Project Wave, of which several members of the Illinois Division support.

Lijah and his gracious family opened their home to us, waited dinner until we arrived, and took us to one of their favorite family restaurants, where we were the only white/red family dining. Lijah and his family are regulars at the restaurant, and this should dispell the pc rumors that the majority of blacks in Georgia have a problem with the battle flag and/or SCV, as Lijah wore a belt covered with battleflags, and had no problem, as they knew him when he came in.

After dinner we returned to the Coleman home, where we were told to "make ourselves at home", and we did, with Mayme playing with the younger Coleman children, while Pam and I, along with Lijah and older son Rhett, discussed the upcoming rally and the Souther Heritage issues as a whole. Lijah told us of his famous late night raids of putting up "Sonny Lied" and "Punt Purdue" signs on the freeways. He and his Minutemen have covered over 70% of Georgia roadways with these protest signs.

We arrived at the arranged meeting place (Turner Field parking lot) to a sea of Confederate flags. One half hour later, the numbers had grown even larger. A motorcycle police escort led our procession (which was over a mile in length) to the Capitol. The ranks were four deep, and over a hundred long. Looking over my shoulder one time at the top of Capitol Hill, I could see nothing but flags, all the way back to Turner Field. It's a sight I will never forget.

When we arrived at the Capitol, we entered where we were supposed to, we were immediately turned out by security, and instructed to once again march around the block and enter at the main door.. This was done in a quiet and orderly manner. As we entered two-deep into the security area of the Capitol, we were instructed that the previously agreed-to arrangements of flags in the rotunda would not be honored....we were directed to either surrender our flags and enter, or return to the sidewalk. With an on-looking crowd of the governor's police force in black BDUs and riot gear, some members gave up their flags and entered to hear the speakers: CiC Ron Wilson, Lt. Commander Sweeny, National Chaplain Weaver, and candidate for CiC of AoT Don Shelton. As much as me and mine wanted to hear these speakers, we refused to surrender our colors. When I attempted to enter the Capitol with the Camp 1802 flag, I was stopped by security and told I would have to leave the flag outside. When I directed to him that it was not a Georgia flag, (it clearly states "Illinois" on it ), his reply was : I don't care, it's a Confederate flag, and it's not coming in here.

The Warren Family found themselves the center of attention of the some 50 Georgia SCV members who refused to surrender their flags. We had not driven 9 hours one way to surrender our colors, no matter who the speakers were. Sometime later, Mayme, under the escort of four different GA camp members, went in and heard all the speakers. When she exited a little more than an hour later, she was met with a barrage of photographers.......it is safe to say this is a day she will never forget. At the end of the rally, I was presented a certificate of Associate Membership into Camp 2022, and Pam and Mayme were presented with a Heritage Award for work done "behind enemy lines".

After a tearful good bye on the Turner Field parking lot, we headed to Ellijay, GA, to once again see our friend Bobby Mountain at his Confederate gift shop, Battle Rags. Earlier in the day, I had the privilege of singing Dixie on the Capitol steps, accomanied by Bobby on his Battleflag painted fiddle. Battle Rags is filled with Confederate items, from t-shirts to shower curtains, and everything in between. He was a most gracious vendor, giving us way more than we bought.

After leaving Bobby and his son's company, we traveled to Hiawassee, GA. so that Pam might meet her long-time pen pal Joy Dunning and her husband Glen. They have a most comfortable home, and put us up for the night. Glen, an excellent musician with an extraordinary voice for a man in his mid-60s, and I sat up to the wee hours of the morning playing music. A good time was had by all. After a very short night of sleep and an even more tear-filled good bye, we headed for North Carolina (the home of my two eldest daughters) and ulitmately home.

We arrived home to a computer with 172 emails from people in Georgia thanking us for making the effort to stand with our brothers and sisters. We answered each and every email. The following day, on at least a dozen Southern Heritage websites, my little family's journey South was documented and photographed.