Gentlemen today I am sad as we prepare to say goodbye to Two of Florida’s troopers. This morning I found Bud Cranford’s email
about being ready for his Bypass surgery. I turn 70 here in December and losing extended family is getting harder. Danny Rentz was
much younger than I am and that makes me so sad to think of his family without Dad or husband. I saw lots of death in Nam and since but now
I see it differently. SO, Today I ask every one of ya to grab your wife, Kids and friends give them a big bear hug and tell them how much they mean to you,
ya never know when it’s time for you or them and then it’s to late.God
Bless each and every one of you.
I would like to thank all of our reporters from the Confederation for their
contributions to the Cracker.
Gentlemen,
Hope all is well with everyone.
The Orphans Brigade is having a fund raiser to help pay the bills at the Tillman House
in Paducah with all of this covid and Fewer people out they need your help on this endeavor ,
they are selling Boston Butts we bought 5 from Florida and they will be donated to a local
charity in Kentucky. A few of us Florida guys are headed to Two Dogs this week and are
looking forward to seeing everyone and blowing off some steam.
Thanks to the reporters who has worked hand in hand with Wess and I.
Matt Scott, Jim Edwards (Florida), Gary Burleigh (Texas), Brian "Vex" McClure (Louisiana),
Duste Craig (Freelance reporter), Mac McPeters (Virginia), Joseph Pizzini (Maryland),
Bruce Warren (Mississippi), Mark Poag, John Fisher (South Carolina), and Shawn Rainey, Alan Shults (Tennessee).
CRACKER OCTOBER DEADLINE : SEPTEMBER 19
CRACKER is distributed the last friday of each month.
Bill W DePriest
Aug 27, 2020, 8:42 SCVMC Yahoo Group
Men of the Cavalry
I am sadly forwarding a message regarding the loss of Compatriot
DePriest. All flags are to be lowered to half staff
from now until one day after his services. Please keep his family and fellow Camp/SCVMC Brothers in your prayers.
Kevin Stone
SCV Mechanized Cavalry Commanding
It is my sad duty to report that #3802 Bill W DePriest
has crossed the river. He lost his battle with cancer.
Please keep his family in your thoughts and prayers. I am ordering all flags to be flown at half staff until one day after he is laid to rest.
Captain Kevin Nelms SCVMC1G
Danny Rentz - Mec Cav Trooper number 1115
Tallahassee, Florida, 1972 - 2020 (Age 47)
Tallahassee - Daniel Lee Rentz, age 47, of Tallahassee, passed away on August
13, 2020, at Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare.
Daniel Lee Rentz was born August 27, 1972 to James Benjamin and Faye Mills Rentz.
Danny, as he was known by his friends and family,
was a native of Tallahassee where he graduated from Amos P. Godby High School. Danny loved the outdoors; he was an avid hunter,
fisherman, and loved riding, his four wheeler through the woods. Danny also had a soft spot for animals, his chihuahuas and huskies were
a huge part of his life. He was anxiously awaiting the arrival of his grandchild. Danny was a lifelong member of the Sons of Confederate Veterans
and the Mechanized Cavalry and took pride in his heritage. He was a towing and recovery specialist with over 28 years of experience.
Danny was best known for his sense of humor and giant heart. He loved to make
people laugh and always tried to help out his fellow man.
He is survived by his loving wife of 15 years, Kelly Rentz of Tallahassee;
beloved daughter, Cassandra Rentz Gatlin (Andrew) of Tacoma,
WA; mother, Faye Rentz of Tallahassee; and brother, Ronnie Rentz (Dawnlynn) and their children, Jessica Rentz, Cody Rentz and Jacob Rentz all
of Tallahassee. He was preceded in death by his father, James Benjamin
Rentz.
The family will receive friends from 6:00PM until 8:00PM on Tuesday, August 18,
2020, at Bevis Funeral Home, 200 John Knox Road.
The funeral service will be at 11:00AM on Wednesday, August 19, 2020, at Bevis Funeral Home with interment immediately
following at Broomsage Cemetery in Jefferson County.
Michael F. Smith
Within a matter of hours I also received word of Mike Smith’s death. Michael lived in St Augustine, Florida so
I ask Jim Edwards for a report from the local area.
Michael F. Smith, a Navy veteran, became a really good friend of mine when he
transferred from the Georgia SCV
Currahee Rangers Camp 935, City of Toccoa, Georgia, to the St. Augustine Camp, Florida, where I was a member, back in 2013.
Upon his transfer, he joined the Mechanized Cavalry (MC# 2000). Our St. Augustine Camp already had, including myself, about 3 M-C guys.
We rode together as a small, 4-man team until this Mech-Cav individual named LT Joe Davis showed up one evening at our
St. Augustine camp meeting and introduced himself as the new northeast Mech-Cav regional commander.
From then on, Mike and our little band of brothers teamed up with a larger Jacksonville area group, becoming known as Florida's
Northeast MC.
The pictures below represent just a few different activities Mike presenced
himself while standing up for the Confederate Cause
by defending the OLD JOE statue in Gainesville; escorting, on motorcycles, the casket of UDC REAL DAUGHTER IRIS LEE GAY JORDAN;
running with the pack; and just having fun. Prior to Mike's death, he and Ann, his wife, lost their oldest son, Michael A. Smith,
who also joined the SCV in 2016. YOU'LL BE MISSED MIKE BY ALL THAT HAVE ENCOUNTERED YOUR PRESENTS.
(I write these words with tears, as Mike was a close friend and biker buddy.)
Georgia:
August 16: SCVMC Yahoo Group:
I hate to announce this, just after Wess told us of the loss of two Florida
members, but your Moderator has been
in the hospital since
Thursday morning. Actually that should be three Hospitals.
Wednesday night/ Thursday Morning I was awakened with chest pains so I went to
the nearest hospital, in Perry, GA.
After a day there they realized they weren't equipped to deal with my problem and had me transferred to Houston County Medical in
nearby Warner Robins. There they did a Heart Catherization they found that the problem was too serious to be dealt with by installing
Stents. Nearby Macon, GA
was not accepting transfers due to Covid-19 so they got to work searching for
someplace to treat me.
By midnight they had everything in place and I was transported via ambulance to
Emory Mid-Town in Atlanta. Surgery is scheduled
for Tuesday to correct blockage. In other words I'm getting a quadruple bypass and becoming a member of the infamous Zipper Club.
I might respond to emails Monday, but don't look for much after Tuesday. Those of you who have had their chest cracked open
will know what I'm talking about. The prognosis is good and they are giving me a 98% chance of coming through without any problems.
The rest of this week and maybe part of of the next, I will be off the computer, after having my chest cracked open like an oyster.
I'll write again,
after I get back home and feeling better.
Take care, brothers and keep my in your prayers.
Bud Cranford (#153)
Moderator SCV-MC Yahoo Group
FLORIDA
Reported by Matt Scott
Gentlemen, it is great to once again send in a report. I hope everyone enjoyed the Florida Division meeting at the new
Florida HQ Building. In August we added a brand new state of the art security system! It consists of almost 30 different sensors and
it really is impressive. The installation took about 6 hours and was done by Matt S. #3664, "Donut" #3665, and
7th Brigade Commander Clement L. More exciting projects are in the works for the building. We also want to thank the Mech Cav for your
continued support, this has been an enormous project and we couldn't have done it with out you!
The new supporters on Amazon Smile are making a difference!
Support Sons of Confederate Veterans - Florida Headquarters - John Hance O'Steen Camp 770
Shop at smile.amazon.com and we’ll donate to your favorite charitable organization, at no cost to you.
On August 15th Camp 770 held its annual picnic at Hart Springs in Gilchrist County, Florida. Seven Mech Cav Members were also present.
"Gator Dome" #169, "Jersey Boy", "Scoop", Terry S #2955, "Donut" #3665, Matt S. #3664 and Justin M. #3670
The weather was nice, the springs were cool and a great time was had by all.
A ride of a different sort. Some friends wanted me to show them around on the Suwannee River. I was happy to do so.
We rode 104 miles on the Suwannee River, Santa Fe River and the Ichetucknee River. Along the way we stopped in about
a dozen springs during the 9 hour trip. There were many battleflags flying from docks and boats and there were more
Trump flags than you could count! The weather was perfect and we had a blast. I hope you enjoy the pics
FLORIDA
Reported by Jim Edwards
MECH-CAV BACKS THE BLUE EVENT HELD IN NORTHEAST FLORIDA
N.E. Florida Mach-Cav guys join forces with biker groups Blue Knights, American Legion, Latin American Motorcycle Association,
Defenders-Florida, Usual Suspects and others to "Back the Blue" motorcycle ride, which left from the old Nassau County Sheriff's Office
in Yulee around 11:30am, Sunday, July 26th. As bikers arrived at the staging area, Sheriff Deputies made their rounds shaking hands,
inquiring on the bikers' group/club and thanking them for their support. (Gotta tell you, it felt good shaking that Deputy's hand and
knowing law enforcement recognizes our heritage organization.) Departure consisted of approximately one hundred bikes, receiving
police escorts throughout the ride. Citizens, at various locations, lined the route waving and showing their support.
News4Jax covered this ride and the one scheduled in Clay County. It was a good day and great ride, concluding with food and beer at the restaurant
(along the river) once known as the Redneck Yacht Club that flew a Confederate Battle Flag.
TEXAS
Reported by Sergeant Gary Burleigh (Breeze)
A good showing from members throughout Co.C that showed up to take the Mother of Troopers Red Yauch and Jason Yauch
on a last ride on the Texas coast. Top left to right Corporal Todd Red Neck Long, Greg Too Tall Lamboth, 1st Lt Billy Cast,
2nd Lt. Randle Chong Tennison, Trooper Hunter Ace Wright, Trooper Jason Yauch, Corporal Carter Gaddis, Red and Jasons Mom, Red Yauch,
Chris Boon, Linda Tennison, Jacque Jacky Turner, Emily Christensen, Hailey Gilbert, Front Capt.Frank Polk,Colton Tator Salard Tennison,
Corporal Bubba Goode,DuAnn Goode, Trooper David Ramirez, Dustin Lucky Bubbles Morgan.
1st Sgt.Mike Jesse James Pierce in Greenville at Gregg County Court House Single
handed protecting the Confedeate Monument.
5th Squad held a ride and Squad meeting up and around Livingston Texas .Members attending 2nd Lt.Tony Current Co.C Chaplin,
kneeling Sgt.Scott Lewis, Trooper Bill Maddox, 2nd Squad 1st Sgt.Paul Franklin "Rabbit" Smith, Trooper Dana Talbot,
Standing Corporal Tom Glenn Ttooper Lloyd James, Members of SCV Turrner Camp and guest from Livingston Texas area.
Saturday August 8 The SCVMC took Trooper Red Yauch and Jason Yauch's Mother Mrs Beverly Armstrong
on one last ride as she is terminally ill and wanted to ride the coast one more time
Major Dietz, Capt Polk, Red Yauch, and Bubba Goode st the swareing in ceremony for new member John Millar.
Co.C 1st Platoon 1st Squad swore in new Trooper John Millar Welcome Brother
Hey Tim presenting New Trooper John Millar his certificate of membership to the SCVMC
Prayers please for our Brother Sgt Ken Smith 1C 2nd platoon 5th squad. Ken was in a bad bike accident and is hospitalized with
sevier injuries to arms and legs. Were all praying for his full recovery down here in Texas Ken is a great leader and we need him back in the saddle
as soon as possible and We know he will.
