THE "CONFEDERATE VETERAN" Magazine

I have often bragged that it has been years since I was surprised by anything. Well, today, I was blown away. I have a habit of cruising used book stores and buying old CIVIL WAR magazines. Last year I picked up a copy of the title you see above. I opened it just last night and read it.


For those who have been living in a cave for the last 50 years, this country had a Civil War during 1860 - 1865, and as John Wayne once said, "I hope it ends soon."


Duke, after reading this sorry piece of trash, I hope it does, too. Dated one year ago, September/October 2009, the guys who publish this "magazine" seriously hope The South Will Rise Again.


If I am to believe one fifth the dialogue in this mag, that is the only conclusion I can come to: One Hundred and Forty Five years after the south surrendered I am not about to pick a fight.


We are walking on the moon. It is now 2010, not 1865, but by the language in this 21st century magazine you would never know it:

• Historic Project to Promote and defend our precious southern heritage


• From the "Lt Commander In Chief of the Southern Confederate Veterans, Michael Givens in his Column, "Otto bon Bismarck said ' the great questions of the day will not be settled by means of speeches and majority decisions.. but, by iron and blood.' Vindicating the cause of the Confederate soldier will require an equal and concerted effort. GOD SAVE THE SOUTH!

C'mon, guys, this is the 21st century, and I am one of the most romantic guys around. I have stood on the top of Little Round Top at Gettysburg Battlefield, with binoculars in my hand, right next to General Warren's statue, just like him. I could almost smell the gun powder, too. I could see the tree lines, levelled by the cannon fire the musket shot, you can almost smell the blood, hear the bullets whizzing by your head.

There is something haunting to a man who wants TO BE THERE. I felt the same thing in central-south Texas at the Alamo. That crazed feeling that one MORE rifle may have made the difference, if I could have been there to help. One more six feet 3 frame, another rifle, pistol, Bowie knife, another set of sharp eyes, cruising the horizen waiting for the next attack. But, it wasn't to be.

I lost family members at the Peach Orchard, at the Wheat Field, at Cold Harbour, some of my ancestors were in the calvary and were killed in the service, our people served in the cause, the cause of the north. But that's all over. I have walked the very ground where my grand uncles fell and I am proud of them.

But, TODAY, we have to be what we are:-sightseers after the fact, late for action. Only iffers, wanna-be-ers.