Sons of Confederate Veterans honors Lee, Jackson
Published 10:32 am Saturday, January 15, 2011
Attending the 23rd annual Urquhart-Gillette Camp’s Lee-Jackson banquet were, from left, Charles Butler, Jeannie Booth, Kreig O’Bryant, Bill Sales, Karen Sale, Jimmy Copeland and Jon Pyle. -- Merle Monahan | Tidewater News
Anita Felts, left, and her grandchildren, Shelby and Scott Felts, all of Sedley, attended.
By Merle Monahan/ Contributing Writer
merlemonah@aol.com
SEBRELL—About 65 people, Confederate re-enactors and their guests, attended the 23rd annual Urquhart-Gillette Camp’s Lee-Jackson banquet last Saturday, continuing their tradition of honoring the soldiers who fought for Southern independence.
“We do this to honor these two great generals and those who fought under them,” said Commander Jon Pyle. “It is our duty to honor and keep the names of these soldiers untarnished.”
Held at the Sebrell Community Center, the event also recognized one of the Urquhart-Gillette Camp’s founders, Russell Darden, who died several months ago. Darden’s son, Rob, spoke of how dedicated his father was to the camp.
“He was an avid supporter,” the younger Darden said, “and proud to be a member of the Sons of Confederate Veterans.”
Volpi Boykin, adjutant treasurer for Urquhart-Gillette Camp 1471, attends the dinner in uniform.
Following the dinner, catered by Lisa Parker-Little, entertainment was provided by Stan Clardy.
Musician, songwriter, author and actor, Clardy goes back in time to sing and relate stories about the 1860s.
His program carried the audience from the beginning of the War Between the States, through the conflict and into the following period of rebuilding.
The performer and his wife, Cathy, who currently live in Statesville, N.C., have been traveling throughout the south since 1998.
Pyle noted that the program was a fitting tribute to all the soldiers who fought and died for Southern independence 150 years ago. This year marks the beginning of the war’s sesquicentennial.
