CLEARWATER, Fla. — Good afternoon1 

It is with great honor that I come here today. 

In the rush and hurry of life, there is not always opportunity — and perhaps there is not always inclination — to recognize properly the worth of a man, but it is when the trials are passed and the books are closed that the proper and everlasting estimates of a man is made.

Ah! And let us not forget the women of the South. How brave they were in the times that tried men’s souls. Often sending the dearest treasure of their bleeding hearts without a tear to meet the foe. Mothers who gave both son and husband to their country. 

It was the Southern woman’s smile that encouraged her voice that cheered, her sympathy that followed like angels in the camp, the march, the seized. 

It was her hands that bound up the wounds, her tears that consecrated the graves. 

Therefore, it should be hers to rear these evidences of devotion to country and principle.And she did! 

There may be erected to his memory monuments that will keep his name fresh in the minds of his fellow man for the deeds for which he is loved that made him great in the estimate of mankind. 

There is no reward equal to the respect of one’s fellow man. It is a reward that must be earned, and few are there who gained it in the degree and the measure so universally, and with so many people as did the Confederate soldier. (Can I get an “Amen?”)

Man may inherit riches, they may buy gaudy things, and temporary honors may at times be theirs, but the undying affection and respect of men comes neither by inheritance, by purchase, nor by chance. It is truly a reward of merit. The life of such a man is an encouragement to everyone who knows of it. And  know of it by a Confederate soldier — we do!

They are with us no more, but the memory of their noble and upright life, of what they did, and sought to do for the good of the South will be cherished to the end of time. 

The greatest weapon the South had was the irrepressible spirit of the Southern soldier. 

They often complained of the short rations, the long marches, miserable camp life and long periods of idleness between battles, but when the long roll sounded, they grabbed their muskets and bullet pouches and with a “Rebel Yell” — that struck terror into the heart and mind of countless Yankee soldiers — charged the enemy with no regard for their own welfare. 

Time after time, their friends, relatives, mess mates and officers were struck down in staggering numbers, but the next time the order to charge was given, they exercised the same enthusiasm, bravery and determination. 

Anyone with a high regard for truth and the study of history has to be throughly discouraged when truth is shouted down by ignorance. 

The discouragement is especially painful when much of the ignorance is driven by malicious and self-serving distortions of history. 

Historical distortions, political lies and bullying are the daily bread of cultural Marxism, and it is deeply grieving to see them advance to the point of destroying a people — and all that is true and honorable in their government and traditions. 

An exaggerated and maliciously distorted narrative of the role and nature of the slavery issue as a cause of the War for Southern Independence has been the stock propaganda weapon of those who for political or economic gain still strive to obscure and misrepresent the economic, constitutional and political tyrannies that provoked Southern secessions. 

These issues are still alive and are vital to the survival of decentralized constitutional government — and both Southern and American heritage. 

The enemies of truth and just constitutional government are straining every nerve to silence any dissent from their false narrative by means of Cultural Marxism, ranging from political correctness to direct and indirect economic suppression and character assination they have especially used the slavery issue as a pious excuse for tyranny and justification for the total war against Confederate forces and Southern civilians. 

To the Southern soldier and their families, the Confederate Battle flag symbolized their Christian heritage and resistance to tyranny. 

They were fighting for the right of Southern states and their people to determine their own political destiny. 

They were fighting against the evil of unjust taxation and many other abuses of power perpetrated by Northern political factions. 

They were fighting to free themselves from a Northern political dominance that had enriched the Northern states and oppressed Southern states. 

After many years of hardship and blood spent on the battlefield, the Southern Cross came to symbolize the courage and blood sacrifice of the Confederate soldier and Southern people. 

They believe in justice and righteous of their cause that they gave up and when the surrender at Appomattox came, they gave up their regimental banners with tears and weeping.

We need to honor the memory of our fallen heroes and all that served in that great struggle beneath the Southern Cross. 

And you ladies, and the ladies who left you the legacy of the UDC, have done just that so honorably!