By Gary Davis
Due to the invitation of Jim Hicks, past commander of the John Hunt Morgan Camp and presently the Aide to Camp of the international SCV headquarters, The Commander in Chief of the Sons of Confederate Veterans was the quest speaker at the annual Lee / Jackson Dinner of the John Hunt Morgan Camp in Louisville on January 15, 2000. The Commander-in-Chief was meet at the airport by Central Brigade Commander Curt Carter, Past Commander Jim Hicks and Commander Gary Davis. They all enjoyed a light lunch and escorted the commander to his suite at the Executive Inn in Louisville. The commander was presented with a “Blue grass is gray” T-shirt and a “ Morgan’s raid on Georgetown “ T-shirt. Commanders, Carter, Hicks and Davis were about to supply refreshments to the commanders room. At 5 PM the Commander-In-Chief we escorted to the main dinning room at the Executive Inn where the dinner was to take place. A casual cocktail hour was held, and the C-I-C was introduced to those attending. The C-I-C was very impressed with the flag collection of John Bersot, Commander of the Capt. Thomas Henry Hines camp of Westpoint. Over 100 regimental battle flags adorn the room. State Division Commander Sam Flora was in attendance as well as commanders Tim Bowmen and Jim Bowen. The Commander in Chief was fresh back from the flag rally in Columbia South Carolina the weekend before. A large contingent of Kentuckians were at the rally and enjoyed rehashing the events of the weekend before. The Commander spoke on the SCV, where we came from, where we are now, and the future of the SCV. The Commander was presented a plaque to remember his visit to Kentucky and a bottle of Confederate Makers Mark whiskey from our 1993 convention in Lexington. State Commander Sam Flora spoke about our Confederate Kentucky Monument project in Vicksburg. However, I think the biggest rebel yell came after Central Brigade Commander Curt Carter gave his “ Hit’em again” speech. A hospitality room was rented at the Executive Inn and everyone was invited to come and enjoy the fellowship after the dinner. The C-I-C was in attendance and enjoyed conversation with everyone there. Commander Griffin was one of the last to leave the party and really enjoyed our Kentucky hospitality. Jim Hicks meet Commander Griffin for breakfast the next morning, and was escorted back to the airport. A letter was received by Commander Gary Davis a few days after his visit again thanking us for the Kentucky hospitality, the accommodations and professional way that the Kentucky Division is run. He also looks forward to coming to Kentucky in the future. As a foot note, commander Griffin had contacted the people in South Carolina who are hosting the convention and insisted that Commander John Bersot’s flag collection be there. After a few phone calls and E-mails with the Commander in Chief and the people in South Carolina, Commander Bersot’s entire regimental battle flag collection will line the main room at the convention and will be marched in during the opening ceremonies. Kentucky is on the move! Originally published in the Spring 2000 The Lost Cause
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