Whither the SCV? A Challenge.
CIC Ron Wilson, Mr. Kirk Lyons, Dr. Michael Hill: Your campaign against Save the SCV has consisted of lies about who Save the SCV is and the principles for which we stand.
CIC Wilson: While within your purview as CIC, your suspension of individuals and camps as a result of internal philosophical disagreements is an abuse of the high office that you hold. You have yet to provide "proper proof" or specific charges as required by Article 14, section 5.
You failed to reply to individuals and camps who contacted you in February 2003 and asked you to provide the specifics of the charges against them. Rather than provide visionary leadership during this crisis, you conducted a political purge.
Suspended members and camps have been allowed neither a voice nor a vote at SCV division meetings. We have been subjected to parliamentary misconduct, threats, and assaultive behavior.
Though we disagree with the current leadership and direction of the SCV, we have been loyal members of the organization. We demand to be heard. We at Save the SCV have the courage of our convictions. Do you?
We make this challenge: A Save the Sons of Confederate Veterans representative will deliver a speech at the Asheville convention under the following conditions:
Our speaker will address the convention at the Saturday business meeting for no longer than thirty (30) minutes.
During that period of time the SCV leadership will guarantee that there will be no demonstrations, disruptions, threats, thrown objects, or other disruptive behavior by delegates nor by anyone else. The SCV leadership will assure that those present in the convention hall will remain quiet during the speech. There will be no Q.& A. and no debate.
The SCV leadership will also insure that there will be no other disruptions or "technical difficulties" (lighting, microphone, etc.) that interfere with the speaker’s presentation. Any such delay for any reason will constitute time that will be added to the Save the SCV speaker’s time.
Save the SCV representatives will be accompanied at all times by two people: a body-guard and a media representative; both chosen by Save the SCV. The convention registration fee will be waived for the speaker and those accompanying him.
CIC Wilson will agree to these conditions in public, prior to the convention. He will publicly state his agreement to these conditions at the convention, at the time the Save the SCV speaker is introduced.
You know how to contact us.
Our suspended camps, and other camps around the nation, continue to maintain the tradition of the Confederate soldier and keep his symbols and story before the public by observing Confederate Memorial Day, conducting educational programs, repairing and dedicating Confederate grave markers, conducting living history programs, and participating in local historical events and parades. Thousands of SCV members continue to do the work of the SCV while the Wilson/Lyons faction conspires with the League of the South to plan for secession from the United States of America.
Walter Hilderman III, Commander
Sgt. Aaron L. DeArmond Camp, # 1981
N.C. Division, Sons of Confederate Veterans