Flags removed from cemetery
Group that visited the Yellow Dirt Baptist Church cemetery on Saturday, October 8, 2011 to place roses and replace small Confederate flags that had been removed by unknown person(s). This cemetery is surrounded by the grounds of Plant Wansley near Whitesburg. In the first row are James and Pam Tolbert. From left to right in the second row are Larry Lyle, Eric Tolbert, Billy Bearden, and Ernie Blevins.UP-DATE!!!
Flags removed from cemetery
Group that visited the Yellow Dirt Baptist Church cemetery on Saturday, October 8, 2011 to place roses and replace small Confederate flags that had been removed by unknown person(s). This cemetery is surrounded by the grounds of Plant Wansley near Whitesburg. In the first row are James and Pam Tolbert. From left to right in the second row are Larry Lyle, Eric Tolbert, Billy Bearden, and Ernie Blevins.
Georgia Power steals replaced Confederate Flags!!!!!!!!!!!
SINCE this article has been written, Georgia Power thought it funny to STEAL these new flags as well, between Wednesday and Thursday this past week.
Georgia Power Plant Wansley is GUILTY OF CRIMINAL TRESPASSING, THEFT OF PRIVATE PROPERTY, VANDALISM, GRAVE DESECRATION, and most importantly of all - SPITTING ON THE GRAVES OF AND DISHONORING AMERICAN VETERANS.
SHAME on them!
With the moving Viet Nam Wall coming to Coweta County to HONOR our Veterans, Georgia Power Plant Wansley is urinating on our Veterans.
SHAME!!!
Confederate Veterans ARE United States Veterans under the eyes of US LAW:
U.S. Public Law 85-425: Sec. 410 Approved 23 May 1958
(US Statutes at Large Volume 72, Part 1, Page 133-134)
The Administrator shall pay to each person who served in the military or naval forces of the Confederate States of America during the Civil War a monthly pension in the same amounts and subject to the same conditions as would have been applicable to such person under the laws in effect on December 31, 1957, if his service in such forces had been service in the military or naval forces of the United States
U.S. Code Title 38 – Veterans’ Benefits, Part II – General Benefits, Chapter 15 – Pension for Non-Service-Connected Disability or Death or for Service, Subchapter I – General, § 1501. Definitions: (3) The term “Civil War veteran” includes a person who served in the military or naval forces of the Confederate States of America during the Civil War, and the term “active military or naval service” includes active service in those forces
Confederate Flags ARE protected under Georgia Law:
GEORGIA CODE 50-3-1(4) It shall be unlawful for any person, firm, corporation, or other entity acting without authority to mutilate, deface, defile, abuse contemptuously, relocate, remove, conceal, or obscure any privately owned monument, plaque, marker, or memorial which is dedicated to, honors, or recounts the military service of any past or present military personnel of this state, the United States of America or the several states thereof, or the Confederate States of America or the several states thereof. Any person or entity who suffers injury or damages as a result of a violation of this paragraph may bring an action individually or in a representative capacity against the person or persons committing such violations to seek injunctive relief and to recover general and exemplary damages sustained as a result of such person or persons unlawful actions.
50-3-9. It shall be unlawful for any person, firm, or corporation to mutilate, deface, defile, or abuse contemptuously the flag of the United States, the flag, coat of arms, or emblem of the State of Georgia, or the flag or emblem of the Confederate States of America by any act whatever.
50-3-10. Nothing in this article shall be construed to prevent the use of the flag of the United States or any flag, standard, color, shield, ensign, or other insignia of the State of Georgia or of the Confederate States of America for decorative or patriotic purposes, either inside or outside of any residence, store, place of business, public building, or school building.
50-3-11. Any person, firm, or corporation who violates any provision of Code Section 50-3-8 or 50-3-9 shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.
Confederate Veteran Graves ARE protected under Georgia Law:
GEORGIA CODE O.C.G.A. 16-7-26 (2010)
16-7-26. Vandalism to a place of worship
(a) A person commits the offense of vandalism to a place of worship when he maliciously defaces or desecrates a church, synagogue, or other place of public religious worship.
(b) A person convicted of the offense of vandalism to a place of worship shall be punished by imprisonment for not less than one nor more than five years.
O.C.G.A. 16-8-2 (2010)
16-8-2. Theft by taking
A person commits the offense of theft by taking when he unlawfully takes or, being in lawful possession thereof, unlawfully appropriates any property of another with the intention of depriving him of the property, regardless of the manner in which the property is taken or appropriated.
O.C.G.A. 16-7-21 (2010)
16-7-21. Criminal trespass
(3) (e) A person commits the offense of criminal trespass when he or she intentionally defaces, mutilates, or defiles any grave marker, monument, or memorial to one or more deceased persons who served in the military service of this state, the United States of America or any of the states thereof, or the Confederate States of America or any of the states thereof, or a monument, plaque, marker, or memorial which is dedicated to, honors, or recounts the military service of any past or present military personnel of this state, the United States of America or any of the states thereof, or the Confederate States of America or any of the states thereof if such grave marker, monument, memorial, plaque, or marker is privately owned or located on land which is privately owned.
I call upon Heard County Sheriff to become involved, to investigate these crimes, to charge the guilty, and to prosectue them as the HATE CRIMES they are.
I call upon Georgia Power to WRITE UP then FIRE everyone involved in the GRAVE ROBBING SCHEME, to make known publically all names of this illicit cadre of thieves and anti-American Veterans, to pay restitution to the Webbs for the STOLEN FLAGS, and to set up a webcam so that anyone can click on and monitor the gravesite, as Georgia Power Plant Wansley security CANNOT BE TRUSTED.
SHAME ON GEORGIA POWER!!!
Thanks and God Bless
Billy Bearden
Contact Georgia Power
HERE
posted by PoP at
8:06 PM
8 Comments:
October 8th, 2011, would see the Haralson Invincibles Camp #673 travel south across 2 county lines and past 2 other SCV camps to avenge a Heritage Violation - the theft of Confederate flags from Confederate graves in Heard County.
As we gathered in the parking lot of Carrollton's Wal Mart, our contingent was met by a reporter for Carroll County's local newspaper. A Pastor, family, friends and 6 Confederates were interviewed, and a photo was taken - all to explain our mission to the public and expose the hate crime against our beloved Veteran ancestors
Even though 7 camps were invited, the only SCV members present were Mr James Tolbert and his wife (who dressed as a Belle and was carrying roses) and their son Eric. Harry Lyle, Billy Bearden - all of Haralson Invincibles #673, and Ernie Blevins, Ga SCV Div Historian and Forrest's Escort Camp 1239.
After the interview, our caravan of 4 vehicles continued south, eventually entering Ga Power's Plant Wansley. Security issued us all passes, and we then proceeded to Yellow Dirt Church, a house of worship built in the 1870s.
The area is way back in the woods, long forgotten but for a few. The grounds and bldg look well cared for, but further conversations uncovered that Ga Power had intentionally tried to ruin this Holy site. There are 2 seperate cemeteries on the grounds, making a total of 8 known Confederate graves whose flags had been removed by an offended rent a cop.There are approx 150 graves between the 2, so I am sure many more Confederates rest in that ground.
Upon arrival, our group was met by other interested and upset people, as well as a reporter for the Heard County Newspaper ( www.heardcitizen.com ). After a brief interview, we began our task.
Eric Tolbert and Harry Lyle were in charge of placing the flags. As the ground was rather tough, a spike was used to preset holes. James Tolbert did this. At each Confederate Grave, a flag was replaced by a uniformed Confederate soldier, a rose was gently laid by a Confederate widow, and we all gave a Salute of Honor to each Veteran. I carried a 4x4 Battleflag, and Ernie took pictures of each act, and then photographed each grave thruout.
We had originally been led to believe only 7 graves were violated, but Ernie turned up the 8th Veteran.
A few more questions and pictures for the interview, then good fellowship in the chuchyard. Promises were made to keep a closer eye on the flags, handshakes and new aquaintances were made, and the Pastor expressed a desire to join the SCV.
IMHO it was not a Heritage Victory. Unknown still is the violater and no apology or reimbursement of money or flags has been made. I would say however it was a successful Heritage Defense, as lots of newfound attention has been brought to bear on this situation, and while remaining hidden, word is the offending thief did receive an internal write up.
Only time will tell if lessons have been learned and the truce holds, or things have to go to the next level.
The Pastor and the Tolberts express their deep appreciation for all who participated.
Thanks and God Bless
Billy Bearden 673
Southern groups have become complacent with kissing the PC'ers butts! Most are just plain chicken!... Shame on them!
God save us from fools.
I support SCV and yall southern compatriots in their fought for
their heritage. i thought that Confederate soldiers deserved their
flag over their graves.
Damir Segvic Croatia-Europe
I support SCV in their fought for their heritage,i thought that Confederate soldiers deserved their flag over their graves.
Damir Segvic ,Croatia-Europe
I have been told that the flags have been once again removed! The first time they were removed could have been passed off as a very bad mistake on someones part. Now i am very angry that this could happen again. There must be repercussions! This is a deliberate attach to our heritage and our way of life that our fore- fathers have fought for.
what a shame....I'm 58 years old and find out I have a great great grandfather who fought in the Civil War and is buried at Old Yellow Dirt Church Cemetery and someone just can't leave the flags alone that are on his grave!!!!!
This is an outrage! Billy is right. Happens once, call it a mistake...whatever. Second time is criminal vandalism. Time to get the law involved. You locals need to rally around the GA Flagger and make some noise about this. Don't make me come down there!!!
the more i think about the flag removal.the madder i get .but you have to consider who you are dealing with big company where the cementary is located need i say more.sad day america.
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