First Appearance of 2018

On Thursday evening, January 11, I drove to Tyler for my first State Historian appearance of the new year. I was invited by Johnnie Holley, Past Commander of the Texas Division of the Sons of Confederate Veterans. Johnnie currently is Commander of the SCV Army of the Trans-Mississippi, as well as Lieutenant Commander of Tyler's award-winning Captain James P. Douglas Camp. The Douglas Camp recently was named the outstanding SCV camp in the nation for the second time in the past three years. For several years I've been asked to provide programs at meetings of the Douglas Camp, and it is always a privilege to meet with this standout history organization.

Pledge of Allegiance to Old Glory

 

In addition to Johnnie Holley's statewide and national leadership roles, his lovely wife, Norma, also has distinguished herself in related activities. Norma Holley is Past State Director of the Order of the Confederate Rose, and currently she serves as Chairman of District VIII of the United Daughters of the Confederacy. Dennis Brand is Commander of the Douglas Camp of Tyler, and his wife Rita also was State Director of the Order of the Confederate Rose. The members of the Douglas Camp are highly active in SCV activities, and there is a strong camaraderie among these men of common historical interests.

With Johnnie and Norma Holley

 

With Camp Commander Dennis Green

Through the years I have delivered numerous programs on Texas in the Civil War at Douglas Camp meetings, but for this occasion I was asked to present my program on "Texas Gunslingers." Aware of the interests of these men, I felt that they would enjoy this program, which features a table full of replica weapons and gun rigs, as well as several Civil War references to weaponry. The audience indeed was responsive, and there were numerous questions from the floor. Afterward I autographed a number of copies of my book, Texas Gunslingers, and as I drove home I reflected upon what a delightful experience I enjoyed with so many fellow history buffs.