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Thursday, October 3, 2024 - 10:24 PM

INDEPENDENT CONSERVATIVE VOICE OF UPSTATE SOUTH CAROLINA

First Published in 1994

INDEPENDENT CONSERVATIVE VOICE OF
UPSTATE SOUTH CAROLINA

New-Commander-SCV---Barrows

The 2014 National Reunion of the Sons of Confederate Veterans was held July 16-19, 2014, at the Convention Center in North Charleston, SC. The opening ceremony on Thursday, July 17, 2014, included a welcome by Convention Chairman Randy Burbage, and the posting of the colors by the 16th South Carolina Color Guard of Honor. Greetings were brought by state and local dignitaries and by representatives from other heritage organizations. The opening ceremonies were concluded with the singing of “Dixie,” led by Past Chaplain-in-Chief Cecil Fayard. A business session was held each morning, Thursday through Saturday. Tours were available, including a boat tour of Charleston Harbor, and visits to the Confederate Museum, the Hunley exhibit, and battle sites. A memorial service, honoring the SCV members who had passed away during the year since the 2013 Reunion, was held at Ashley River Baptist Church on Friday afternoon, conducted by Chaplain-in-Chief Mark Evans, who was assisted by Past Chaplains-in Chief Cecil Fayard and Charles Baker, and Chaplains Sid Holt and Herman White.  New officers were elected on Saturday, July 19, 2014. Kelly Barrows, Lt. Commander-in-Chief from 2010-2014, was elected Commander-in-Chief. Commander-in-Chief Barrows is from the state of Georgia. He follows Michael Givens, who served as Commander-in-Chief from 2010-2014. Commander Givens was the first Commander-in-Chief to serve two consecutive terms, and he has led the organization during the Sesquicentennial observances which began in 2011 to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the War Between the States. Tom Strain from Tennessee was elected Lt. Commander-in-Chief. Randy Burbage from South Carolina was elected Commander of the Army of Northern Virginia. The 16th South Carolina Color Guard of Honor led in the retirement of the colors at the conclusion of the Convention. The next SCV Reunion will be held July 15-18, 2015 in Richmond, Virginia.

The 16th Regiment, Camp 36, Greenville, was well-represented with 13 members attending as delegates to the Convention. Camp members received the following awards: Michael Couch received the Dixie Club medal and certificate for recruiting. Jay Gresham received the Heritage Defense Medal, given to an individual showing significant dedication to protect our Southern Heritage. Chris Sullivan received the Leadership Award, given to an individual who displays superior leadership skills in a position of responsibility. Chris Sullivan, Guy Palmer and Jay Gresham each received the Commander-in-Chief Award for performing exceptional duty on behalf of the Commander-in-Chief. Jim Forrester, Rollis Smith and Jay Gresham each received the Commendation Award for meritorious service or achievement at the Camp, Brigade or Division level. Chaplain-in-Chief Mark Evans received the Robert E. Lee award for serving in an outstanding manner at the National, Department or Division level. This is the second highest award bestowed upon a member of the SCV. At the SCV Awards ceremony, the South Carolina Division of the Order of Confederate Rose honored Jack and Mosie Marlar with recognition and with the gift of a beautiful picture for their outstanding service to the Sam Davis Youth Camp.

The Order of Confederate Rose held its Confederation of State Societies on Saturday, July 19, 2014.The Order of Confederate Rose is an auxiliary to the SCV which supports the local camps. Varina Howell Davis Chapter #1, OCR. the auxiliary chapter supporting 16th Regiment, Camp 36, Greenville SCV, had three members in attendance. Mosie Marlar serves as Chapter President.

The SCV is an international organization with nearly 30,000 members, represented by descendants of Confederate veterans from each state and some foreign countries. The SCV website declares: “The citizen-soldiers who fought for the Confederacy personified the best qualities of America. The preservation of liberty and freedom was the motivating factor in the South’s decision to fight the Second American Revolution. The tenacity with which the Confederate soldiers fought underscored their belief in the rights guaranteed by the Constitution. These attributes are the underpinning of our republican form of government and represent the foundation on which this country was built. Today, the Sons of Confederate Veterans is preserving the history and legacy of these heroes so that future generations can understand the motives that animated the Southern Cause. The SCV is the direct heir of the United Confederate Veterans, and the oldest hereditary organization for male descendants of Confederate soldiers. Organized at Richmond, Virginia, in 1896, the SCV continues to serve as a historical, patriotic, and non-political organization dedicated to ensuring that a true history of the 1861-1865 period is preserved. Membership in the Sons of Confederate Veterans is open to all male descendants of any veteran who served honorably in the Confederate armed forces.

The 16th Regiment, Camp 36, is the local Greenville SCV Camp. The Camp meets at the Phoenix Inn on the third Thursday of each month. For more information about attending a meeting or joining the SCV, please contact Camp Commander Doug Langley at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Camp Lt. Commander Rollis Smith at  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..