The battlefields of the War Between the States are in danger of extinction. Will our next generation of young people know their American history if we lose this important part of it?

We enjoy freedoms today due to our faith in God and support of the men and women who fought to keep America free. The men and women of the Old South have always marched in defence of the U.S.A. They are still doing their duty in Iraq and around the world.

I was honoured to speak at a Memorial Day service in Gainesville, Georgia and the Associated Press published several parts of my speech. They quoted my saying, "There are some things that were not surrendered at Appomattox. We did not surrender our right to teach our children their history."

The Battle of Atlanta, fought during July and August 1864, was the beginning of the end of the southern people's quest for self-determination and freedom. They felt they were standing up like their mothers and fathers did in the American Revolution.

A ceremony was held in conjunction with the December 15, 1939, Premiere of "Gone with the Wind" at the Loew's Grand Theatre. A street light, that survived Sherman's assault, was relighted by Mrs. Thomas J. Ripley President of the Atlanta Chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy. Atlanta's Old Guard served as honour guard when the 1855 gas lamp "The Eternal Flame of the Confederacy" was rededicated at the corner of Whitehall and Mitchell Street in Atlanta.

One hundred sixteen years after the Battle of Atlanta, a memorial event took place at Neiman Marcus, at Lenox Square, when Atlanta remembered a fateful time in her history. A Battle of Atlanta Tea was first held in 1980 and throughout the early 80s. Programs included speeches by such noted historians as: Mr. Virlyn Moore, Mr. Judson Ward and the late Mr. Franklin M. Garrett who was the official Historian for the City of Atlanta and also served as Director of Atlanta Historical Society.

The Battle of Atlanta Tea, held in Atlanta's Buckhead area, was a success due to the efforts of Mrs. Elizabeth Edmondson, Mrs. Sally White, United Daughters of the Confederacy and Sons of Confederate Veterans.

Atlanta's historic "Cyclorama", located at Grant Park, is a jewel of a painting that depicts the Battle of Atlanta. It is a must see.

Many people attended the Battle of Atlanta Tea during the 1980s. A reception room was set up with food and refreshment and walls were covered with Confederate flags. Women wore ante-bellum attire and men wore authentic Confederate uniforms. Soldiers, with replica rifles, were also were allowed to stand guard at store entrances and escalators. Confederate re-enactors gave directions and told stories from the past.

Can you imagine such an event happening today? The bands won't even play "Dixie" anymore. Dixie was always played during these Battle of Atlanta commemorations.

It is known that part of the Battle of Atlanta took place south of the Carter Centre and down to the intersection of Moreland Ave. and Interstate 20. It was also fought around Glenwood Ave, Memorial Drive and Clay Street.

People have written about Black Confederates helping defend the City of Atlanta and Black Confederates are buried on the grounds of a near-by university. Many soldiers killed at the Battle of Atlanta are buried at Atlanta's Oakland Cemetery.

In July 1864 Union General William T. Sherman began the march on Atlanta and after the fall of Jonesboro began his infamous March to the Sea. Many buildings were burned and people were forced to flee the city.  General Joseph E. Johnston first commanded confederate forces and later General John Bell Hood took command. Please teach our young ones the truth of what happened during the War Between the States of 1861-1865 and please do everything you can to help save our American battlefields.

Editors note: Not only are battlefields being taken over by unscrupulous developers but Southern flags are being banned and the singing and playing of Southern songs of the period forbidden at official functions. It seems the war is not over yet.