Heritage Alert: Oakwood Cemetery Richmond VA

Here's your opportunity to speak for your Confederate ancestor as an active member of the Sons of Confederate Veterans! I would like for you to please take a half hour or so and write a letter. A short letter is fine.

The current federal administration is unwilling to help us (the SCV) to mark the 17,000 Confederate graves in Richmond, Virginia - and that is wrong! Our ancestors deserve the recognition and respect of a simple headstone. And up until recently, the Veterans Administration recognized the Confederate soldier, sailor and Marine as a veteran and provided headstones for them. Not anymore!

Please, and I don't ask this very often, write a letter or note and mail it to three people. SCV GHQ tells you how below.

This will be the best use of three Yankee stamps you have probably made in a long time! Your letter doesn't have to be fancy, well-written or official sounding. Just let them know your thoughts on the matter! Don't let them win in their attempt to eliminate of our heritage. Let them know how you want your tax dollars spent!

STAND UP FOR OAKWOOD CEMETERY CONFEDERATES

PROBLEM: Oakwood Cemetery's 17,000 Confederates, representing 13 Confederate states, deserve the dignity of an upright marker bearing their name. Currently, a small, nameless block, bearing only a three digit number represents the final resting place of three or more soldiers. The US Veterans Administration has been uncooperative in delivery of the upright markers.

ACTION REQUIRED: Send a letter to all three of your Congressmen (two Senators and House member):

* Website, http://www.contactingthecongress.org, can be utilized - just plug in your address. Remember, letters are more effective than e-mail. Calls are helpful, also.

* Talking points (put these in your own words in your letter to your Congressmen) -

1] In 1958, Congress pardoned Confederate soldiers and extended benefits therewith (US Code Title 38, Sec. 2306). This includes headstones for unmarked graves.

2] These men deserve the dignity of a marker bearing their name - to not do so is the final human rights violation.

3] The Veterans Administration should be required to live up to its responsibility, obey the law and provide these markers.

4] Sen. Jim Webb (VA) is already engaged in this issue - ask your Congressmen to contact him and support his efforts.

5] Contact other Confederate heritage advocates (UDC, re-enactors, etc.), as well as SAR, DAR and those in veterans organizations (VFW, American Legion, Wounded Warriors, etc.) and involve them in this process.

THIS IS THE LARGEST AND MOST SIGNIFICANT INITIATIVE OF THIS KIND EVER UNDERTAKEN BY THE SCV. THIS WAS ENDORSED AND ANNOUNCED BY CIC GIVENS DURING OUR REUNION, JULY 16, 2011 in MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA.