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For 6 years Pickens Camp 71 had participated in the annual Azalea Festival in Pickens. Each year we followed the same procedure - sending a check with our application to the Civitan Club via the Pickens Chamber of Commerce. In 1998 the process began as usual but then it changed dramatically. Subsequent to our application we received word that we were not to be allowed to attend. The details are given in this report. Wednesday, March 17, 1998 I received an unsigned letter (Document 1) denying us a booth in the Azalea Festival. Conferred by phone with 1st Lt. Commander Steven Alexander and Assistant Adjutant Daniel Buckhiester. Compatriot Alexander, Compatriot Buckhiester and I worked together throughout the ensuing battle. Dan identified and spoke with the enemy, Michael Chastain of the Civitan Club, and discovered the reason we were denied a booth was because of our association with the Confederate flag. Dan immediately compiled the list of persons contained in the press release of March 18. We needed an attorney who would fight, so I called Larry Salley, Executive Director of the Southern Legal Resource Center. He agreed to be our ally in the battle and was joined by Kirk Lyons also of the SLRC. The decision was made to launch an aggressive counterattack upon our assailants. Their weakest and most exposed position was the association between the city and Civitans. Hence we began a three pronged offensive of public pressure, legal pressure and a persistent psychological assault. Our objective being to drive a wedge between these two parties that would result in the collapse of the Civitans' position. Thursday, March 18, 1998 Our first volley upon the enemy's position was a press release (Document 2) sent to all major upstate TV & radio stations and newspapers as well as the State in Columbia. This and all further releases were emailed to our friends in the South Carolina Division SCV and the Lighting Brigade to begin the rapid mobilization of our allies. This press release gave news organizations information on the situation and provided persons to contact for verification. By use of this same information our allies began putting public pressure on city officials. Met with WYFF Channel 4 and WSPA Channel 7 TV at Comfort Inn of Easley for interview. Also was interviewed via telephone by upstate newspapers including the Greenville News and the Anderson Independent. The interviewer for WSPA Channel 7 was Cordell Whitlock who is a black gentleman. He stated that this was not about the Confederate flag but about free speech. From this time forward virtually all members of the press held this view. Friday, March 19, 1998 WORD Radio, 1330 AM, called my home at 7:40 a.m. and Russ Cassell and I talked until the news break at 8 a.m. Russ holds a positive view of our Confederate heritage. Lisa Rollins, news director for WORD, was horrified by this act against us and encouraged us to do whatever necessary to reverse the action of the Civitans. Roger Cary from New York called to offer assistance. Roger is a direct descendant of the three Cary girls who made the first Confederate battle flags. Saturday, March 20, 1998 The Southern Legal Resource Center released a statement (Document 3) to news organizations reporting they had agreed to represent us. I also issued a statement this day (Document 4). Especially note paragraph 2. This document briefly explained the overall situation and revealed our legal strategy. This proved to be of great concern to the enemy as evidenced by their subsequent statements and final press release. This and all future statements were also faxed to the Greater Pickens Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber of Commerce assists the Civitans with the Azalea Festival and therefore it seemed advantageous to bring them under psychological pressure as well. Sunday, March 22, 1998 In the afternoon I spoke with Senator Larry Martin by phone. I asked him to act as ally and advocate. Subsequently Senator Martin spoke with the mayor, conveying the message that we wished the mayor and council to meet with the Civitans and simply tell them that they must allow us our booth and further that we were not bluffing and would indeed file suit in federal court against the Civitans, the city and any individual or entity, public or private, associated with them in the Azalea Festival. I faxed a press release (Document 5) to all TV and radio stations. I also faxed it to the newspapers as a letter to the editor. Kirk and Larry of the SLRC advised that we should infer we would mount an assault upon the enemy's 501 © 3 tax exempt status. Monday, March 23, 1998 Acting upon the advise of our attorneys I filed a Freedom of Information Act request (Document 6) with the city. This action created psychological pressure and also secured documents that would be of help to us in our legal campaign. I also posted a message (Document 7) to our allies on this day giving them an update, explaining some of our strategy and asking for their help. Tuesday, March 24, 1998 Received documents (Document 8) by fax from the city. This was in compliance with my request made under the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act on Monday. I feel confident other documents were withheld but these did confirm the city donated money to the Civitans. This information gave evidence of direct involvement and support of the Civitans by the city and was extremely important. Beginning at 2 p.m., 1st Lt. Commander Steven Alexander and I met with Southern Legal Resource Center attorneys at the Comfort Inn of Easley. Larry Salley spoke by telephone with Ken Acker, Pickens City attorney. Mr. Acker said the city would meet with Mike Chastain as soon as Chastain returned from out of town and advise the Civitans that the SCV must be allowed to participate or the city would permanently cancel the Azalea Festival. This was clear evidence that Senator Martin's message was received and believed. It also revealed a growing rift between the city and the Civitans. Our strategy was working. Steven Alexander, Kirk Lyons, Larry Salley and I went to Pickens to reconnoiter the field of battle. Kirk was accompanied by two of his small sons. Our first stop was Pace Jewelry located on Main Street. We introduced ourselves to Mrs. Ann Day, president of the Civitan Club. Our presence in the city with our attorneys created psychological pressure. Following this meeting we went onto Main St. and explained the festival layout to Kirk and Larry. Second stop; Kirk Lyons and I visited the Pickens County Clerk of Court, introduced ourselves and requested permission to use the Court House grounds Saturday, April 18 for a protest rally. Clerk of Court Oliver Nealy was visibly distraught by our request and asked if he could call us back. Our objective was to involve the County. This visit created psychological pressure on a new front. By entangling other political entities we were confident that even greater pressure could be brought against the Civitans. The Clerk of Court's nervous attitude indicated he was now an ally, albeit unwillingly, in our counterattack against the enemy. This action potentially broadened the field of legal targets. Had our request been refused we could have brought suit against the county thereby causing the expenditure of tax dollars by the county. We believed they would see this as a fire beginning to rage out of control. We knew the county would contact the city and apply pressure to settle the issue. Subsequent events proved this correct. We definitely intended to use the court house grounds as requested if the matter was not settled in our favor. Kirk Lyons, Larry Salley and I then visited Pickens City Hall while Steven Alexander remained with Kirk's two boys. We entered, introduced ourselves, and asked to obtain a parade permit for April 18. The lady with whom we dealt was visibly distraught and almost unable to speak. She finally explained what was needed and who must approve it. We complied with here instructions. The objective was to increase pressure on the city and to make preparations for the rally if this became necessary. Having planted the seeds of uneasiness and fear we returned to Dixie Star Steak & Bar in Easley and had supper. During supper we evaluated our position and discussed strategy. Wednesday March 25, 1998 A representative of the ACLU called Assistant Adjutant Dan Buckhiester's residence to secure the name and phone number of our attorneys. An attorney representing the ACLU called our attorney Larry Salley and offered to help with the case. Larry called me to pass on this news. This was an interesting and important occurrence, both psychologically and legally. When the situation was initially reported in the Columbia press the state director of the ACLU was reported to have said that he didn't believe we had a case. The ACLU now believed we had a case and were willing to help. Larry stated it was a SLRC matter at that time and declined their assistance but told them they would be contacted if necessary. I spoke to Mrs. Crane with the Pickens County Citizens for Life. I coached her on how to obtain legal counsel for their group through the American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ) and discussed with her the practical aspects of mobilizing her group and involving others as allies. Had the battle continued we would have worked further with them to develop them into a threat to the Civitans. As it so happened the two Pro-life groups also denied participation, were also covered under our settlement with the Civitan Club. Thursday March 26, 1998 I now believed that our counteroffensive had sufficiently softened the enemy's position and we should issue an ultimatum to test his resolve. Considering the statements of the city attorney, the visible uneasiness and distress of the clerk of court and city hall employees, and the favorable action of the ACLU, I felt our strategy was indeed working well and we should increase the pressure to force favorable action on our terms as soon as possible. This I did in a statement released on this day. Note the last sentence of the first paragraph and last sentence the last paragraph. I faxed a press release (Document 9) to the list of news organizations, our allies, and the Pickens County Clerk of Court. By including the Clerk of Court we hoped to pressure the county into heated discussions with the city to further deepen what was becoming a large gulf between the city and the Civitans. Friday, March 27, 1998 Attorney Perry Gravely, representing the Civitans, called Larry Salley of the SLRC and asked if we would allow them the weekend to meet before we proceeded with further action. Believing their surrender to be imminent, Larry assented. This was clear evidence the ultimatum contained in the press release of the previous day had resulted in the action I had hoped from the enemy. Sunday, March 29, 1998 Attorney Perry Gravely called Larry Salley and asked terms of surrender. The terms were those stated in the first press interview after launching our counterattack, specifically a booth in our normal location during the Azalea Festival. They requested that we halt legal action and our planned protest and they would concede to our terms. Since these plans were intended to resolve the matter in the event they didn't rapidly capitulate it was both easy and logical to grant their wishes. Gravely indicated they believed 3000 Confederates would be in town on April 18. We had promised a protest rally but never mentioned how many people to expect. This is clear evidence as to the nature and number of the calls that came into Pickens City Hall. Evidently the campaign of psychological warfare had generated nightmares. Monday, March 30, 1998 --- Victory in Pickens Day Larry Salley called me to convey the news of the previous night and offer his congratulations. Kirk Lyons also called with congratulations. I then contacted the Civitans' attorney and assured him that our objective had been reached and we would not generate negative publicity nor further actions against the Civitans. I immediately issued a statement (Document10) relaying the good news to both press and allies. Subsequently I did an interview for WSPA channel 7 and phone interviews with newspapers. Later on this day the Civitans issued a statement (Document11) through their attorney. I felt morally compelled to send a letter (Document12) to the Mayor & members of the Pickens City Council conveying our appreciation and closing our campaign. It was a deliberate choice of words to "commend" the Civitans for their community efforts. I do not believe it appropriate to say thank you to those whose myopic and bigoted decision caused the controversy which resulted in our counterattack. Commentary From the launch of our counterattack until the enemy met our terms and surrendered was thirteen (13) days. As our attack began I was recovering from outpatient surgery. As the battle progressed I enjoyed the company of a nasty virus. As you might imagine I too was under psychological pressure. I was most happy to see the campaign end. I want to thank our attorneys, Kirk Lyons and Larry Salley, 1st Lt. Commander Steven Alexander, Assistant Adjutant Daniel Buckheiester, Senator Larry Martin and my wife Chris who answered the ever ringing phone and kept notes. We owe a huge debt of gratitude to ALL who heeded our call for assistance, both moral and monetary especially those who burned their computers hot by sending email around the world. The city hall was deluged with calls and several individuals and SCV camps sent donations to us. In fact a call was placed to Pickens City Hall from South Korea on Tuesday, April 07 by our fellow camp compatriot, Charles Land. The news of victory had not yet reached Korea. Most importantly, I implore each of you to take time and offer a prayer of thanksgiving to our eternal Father from whom comes every good and perfect gift. Throughout the 13 day battle we were conscious of the personal integrity of public officials even while they were being pressured. By the grace of God the only casualties were Michael Chastain and the Civitans. We have maintained the respect and good will of the people and officials in the city and county of Pickens. In fact I believe our position as good citizens has been enhanced. This battle has brought us the certain knowledge that our desire to be known as a honorable and good organization, contributing to the good of Pickens County, is a reality. Your six years of hard work and community involvement has been rewarded. Weather intervened and consequently the Azalea Festival was not held. This caused a great deal of financial distress to the Civitan Club as they had to return all the application fees they collected. Our fee had been returned at the inception of their attempt to expunge us from the festival. A representative of the Civitan Club contacted us and invited us to a planned fundraiser which they were to stage at a later date and another place. Because of other commitments the camp had made we were unable to accept. While conversing with this lady I suggested that we return to them the $15 application fee as a gift to help them with their Special Olympic project. She was stunned into silence and said the camp was "extremely gracious". We did send them the money and believe this to be in keeping with our Lord's written Word and with the "virtues" of the Confederate soldier. "But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: " Matt 5:44-45 (KJV) To our Lord be all glory, honor and praise. Your servant, Le Roy Caudell, Commander |
Sons of Confederate Veterans