Commanders, Adjutants and Compatriots, the Arkansas Division Reunion is April 20 & 21, 2012 ,in Little Rock. That is less than six weeks away and we have received only 15 registrations to date. In order to finalize plans for the Reunion and the Division Awards banquet we need for you to send in your registrations; now.

The same goes for Ancestor Memorials ($5 each or 3 for $10). In order to ensure your ancestor’s memorial makes it into the 2012 Reunion Program, please send those in ASAP, also. Ancestors photos as well – there is no charge for placing a photo of your ancestor in the reunion program. Send a .jpg file to me at the address below.

Forms for this year’s reunion have been mailed to each camp commander and those same forms and information may be downloaded from the Arkansas Division website at: http://arkansasscv.org

CAMP REPORTS – Commanders and Adjutants.

Last year we spent two hours of the first business session presenting/listening to camp reports. There were some great ideas presented for camp activities and a long list of camp accomplishments.

However, few of us are able to recall today the accolades that were presented during that business session. Those who were unable to attend were not priviledged to hear the accounts of our many camps. To help improve this, we are requesting each camp to submit a camp report, in writing, this year. Please take time to record the activities and accomplishments of your camp and mail or email them to me and I will place the reports in the Reunion program for 2012. This will serve as a record for future years and it will be a source of information for other camps. This time next year you will still be able to read about the accomplishments of the men of the Arkansas Division. We also encourage you to obtain an extra copy of the program to be donated/placed in your public library or historical society library. Spread the word.

Deo Vindice,

Robert A. Edwards,
1st Lt. Commander, AR Division
521 W. Cross Street
Benton, AR 72015
geaux-tigers@sbcglobal.net

The new edition of The Confederate Veteran has been mailed out by HQ.  If you are an SCV member and you have not gotten yours in the next week or so, email us at info2arkansastoothpick.com and we will figure out what the problem is!

If you have not gotten your latest issue and you are not a member of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, then this is a great time to join! Email us at the same email address and we will get you connected with the closet camp to you!

The CSA Sesquicentennial Commemorative Coin Collection is here! Now is the opportunity to honor the contribution of each state in the Confederacy, as well as acquire a valuable keepsake from this significant and profound period of historical observance.

These 1 oz. coins are beautiful – minted with a glossy finish and bearing 3-D images. They are made, 100%, of .999 purity silver, not merely plating or overlay, with each coin being serially numbered (only 3000 of each state). They are encased in a protective capsule and will arrive in a black velvet box with their certificate of authenticity.

This product is unique – you will not find a similar collection being offered for sale today. The images on each coin are original artwork inspired by you, the men of the SCV, and brought to life by renowned commercial artist Richard Portner. The depiction of your history required the highest quality production, so we chose the services of The Highland Mint, makers of numerous high-profile commemoratives, such as World Series and Super Bowl coins.

A single coin is yours for ONLY $99! No tax, shipping or handling need be added to your order.

Now, here is the most important part of this offer. All proceeds from this program will go to the work of the SCV and YOUR division can participate in the revenue sharing! This is available to ALL divisions, not just the 13 states of the Confederacy.

Go to our website, csacoins.com, and view the coins. You’ll see their images, front and back, as well as the stories behind them. You’ll also want to view the video hosted by SC Division Commander and former Adjutant-in-chief Mark Simpson.

As you enter the website, you’ll be greeted by the Premium Collection, a presentation of all 13 coins arrayed in the familiar Southern Cross formation, reminiscent of the Battle Flag. Each coin will carry a consistent serial number and will be placed in a handcrafted wooden display case. This product is the maximum experience of the CSA Sesquicentennial Commemorative Coin Collection.

On the reservation form you will be asked for a Promotional Code. This is nothing more than your state’s two-character postal code (i.e. AL, NC, TX, etc.). For each coin purchased using your code, your division will earn $12. Furthermore, for each 500 coin orders with your code, your division will receive a $1000 BONUS.

So, get the word out and start earning funds for your division! Link to our website… use your division and camp newsletters… prepare fliers… be creative. Help us to market this one-of-a-kind product well beyond the bounds of the SCV. Earn revenue on ANY purchase, not just those from SCV members. Make the Sesquicentennial memorable for you and a financial success for your division. Visit csacoins.com today!

The forms for the 2012 Division Awards nominations can be found in the DOWNLOADS section of the website or you can download the PDF form by CLICKING HERE.

 Near where I live is the city of Athens, Texas. It’s not a large city, but it is a fair sized town and a nice place to live. Each Christmas season for the past ten years a local group has placed a Nativity scene on the courthouse lawn for the enjoyment and inspiration of all who pass by. (I know you’re expecting this, so here it comes.) One poor soul decided the Nativity scene was “offensive” and complained to a Wisconsin based organization called the Freedom From Religion Foundation, who in turn demanded the city remove the display. Thus far, I’m happy to say, their demand has been denied.

The Freedom From Religion Foundation has threatened to sue, and also stated they should have the right to place a sign next to the Nativity scene proclaiming, “There is no God!” That’s something I really don’t think the good folks of Athens would stand for. Personally, I don’t know whether I should feel anger or pity towards this Wisconsin group, or both. However, I do know what the Scripture says about them.

In Psalm 14:1, and repeated in 53:1, the Bible says, “The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God.” And why is that? Why would God’s Word refer to anyone saying There is no God, a fool? I can think of two reasons.

First, there is not the slightest bit of evidence to substantiate their claim. Of course, as Believers, we may not be able to prove there is a God, especially to those who are determined to believe otherwise, but we do have much evidence to show that He does exist, including the testimony of numerous reliable eye witnesses. The Atheist, on the other hand, has nothing. He might point to all the evil in the world, but that only indicates there is a Devil, and proves God’s Word is true. Those same two verses in Psalm continue, “They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.” And in Second Timothy 3:13, we are told, “But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.” Simply, they are fools because they haven’t a shred of evidence to support their position, only a personal opinion they boldly state as an absolute fact.

The second reason the Bible calls a person who says, There is no God, a fool, is because they have placed themselves in a situation where they have nothing to gain, and everything to lose. It’s like betting all they have on a horse that’s not even in the race. They are wagering their eternal life on a concept that has no foundation. If they’re wrong, they lose it all. If they’re right . . . they still lose it all. And, only a fool would make that bet.

As Christians, we have nothing to lose, and everything to gain. “Our hope is built on nothing less than Jesus and His righteousness.” We gain the peace, assurance, joy, guidance, and comfort of knowing Christ now, and the sure knowledge of life with Him and all the Saints in Glory forever.

So, who’s the fool?

 
Bro. Len Patterson, Th.D
Chaplain, Army of Trans-Mississippi
Sons of Confederate Veterans

Little Rock was recently witness to a rare opportunity for Civil War Generals Robert E. Lee and U.S. “Butcher” Grant to discuss in first-person moderated questions in front of Arkansas Civil War buffs. Questions ranged from questioning Grant’s sobriety during key battles to logistics of moving Lee’s army north to Gettysburg.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE FILES