EDITOR'S COMMENTS

Editor: Wess Frank

The month of April has been hard on us, we lost three good men in a very short time. My Friend John Adams was one of those men, a good friend, Great SCV Brother, past Commander, and defender of Southron Heritage. I am normally a long winded speach maker but this takes all the wind outa my sails.

Just remember our veterans, shake hands with them and make sure you speak to our WW 2 vets. We are losing them at 200 a day, and they deserve our respect.
Keep the flag flying and support the SCV and the Mechanized Cavalry.

Enjoy another issue of the “Florida Cracker,” see ya’ll next month.

Thanks. God Bless ya’ll, love ya my brothers and sisters.

Editor’s Note: Many of you submit your photos to John directly, I keep an archive of the Cracker so please copy me with your pics and articles, as what goes in the Digital Copy is not saved and we lose many good articles that way, I also ask that you try to identify the event and names as best you can. Many times I see pictures of say, Ga. boys and I have no clue who they are or why unless they stand in front of a sign which ID’s the event. This newsletter is read by Cav members and SCV IHQ, and also non SCV members, so the more info the better, everyone likes to see their photo and name in print.

CAPTAIN'S COMMENTS

Once again April has been a busy month, the Mech. Cav. members all over Florida have been in the field every week-end.

We are presenting Hunley Awards all over Florida and we have also sent awards overseas. We also went to Stone Mountain

for Confederate Memorial Day with 10 guys, Thanks to Trigger for the scenic ride into Stone Mountain. I want to mention Joe Davis our Lt. Commander in NE Florida for his continued efforts in growing the region and keeping the guys busy. We have a great bunch of guys in Florida and we will continue growing.

Commander David King
Jubal A Early Camp #556
Capt 3rd Batt Co D Mechanized Cavalry
confederatevet@verizon.net

Men of the Cavalry,

Please take a moment and say a prayer for the wife and family of Commander John Adams as they deal with this sudden and untimely loss. Many of you that have been in the SCV for 20+ years will remember his service at the Division and National level. John was an asset to our organizations and will leave a void difficult to fill. Please lower all flags to half staff from now until one day after his services once they have been determined. Keep our Florida SCV/SCVMC Brothers in your thoughts and prayers as well for they bear the brunt of this loss.

Kevin Stone
SCV Mechanized Cavalry, Commanding

Sent: Tuesday, April 04, 2017 6:51 PM -

 [SCV-MC] Passing of a Brother in WV

Men of the Cavalry

Captain Eldreth advised me of Harold "Possum" Owens SCVMC VA. I checked Facebook and copied the post following this message. Possum served our country in Viet Nam and was proud of his Confederate and American Indian Heritage. Please keep flags at half staff until Friday in his honour.

Kevin Stone
SCV Mechanized Cavalry, Commanding

Men of the Cavalry,

It is with a heavy heart that I pass along the loss of not only a Brother to us but a Daddy to 2 of our Brothers Gary "Scary" and Troy "Hot Wheels" Sturgill. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers as they deal with the loss of their Daddy. Lower all flags to half staff from now until Tuesday in honour of Fred "Pops" Sturgill.

Kevin Stone

SCV Mechanized Cavalry, Commanding

The Reminiscence of John W Adams

L-R Past Commander John Adams as parliamentarian and Current Division Commander Doug Dawson 2010

Commander Doug Dawson, Marion Lambert, Past Commander John Adams, Past SCVMC Capt. JD Spivey (currently Confederate Hardcore President) Tampa Flag raising 4/25/2009

Ladies and Gentlemen of the Confederate Heritage Community,

It is my sad duty to inform you that Past Florida Division Commander John W. Adams has crossed over the river today. John died of a massive heart attack; he had an annual physical a week ago and got a clean bill of health.

John will be buried in Central Florida, exact location to be determined. His wife Kathy has requested the Division participate in his services; she knows he would have wished it. Exactly what we will be doing in his service is not yet determined.

John’s wife Kathy has notified us that Commander Adams has been cremated. There will be a small, closed family service this week.

After a short grieving period she will contact the Florida Division in order to arrange a Confederate Heritage Community service for John. Kathy has requested the Division, UDC and OCR participate in his services; she knows he would have wished it. Exactly what we will be doing for his service is not yet determined.

John was a larger than life individual who spent 25+ years in the service of Southern Heritage Protection. His efforts and influence touched cities, monuments, cemeteries, and most of all people across and in all corners of Florida and much of the Confederation.

Please do not call Kathy; send sympathy cards to

Mrs. Kathy Adams

303 Wisteria Ct.

Deltona, FL 32738

May a merciful God receive him and grant him peace; Godspeed John.

Don C. Young, Commander

Florida Division, Sons of Confederate Veterans

I first met John in 1998 when I became Adjutant for the Fort Lauderdale Camp 1395. I was having trouble with Division Commander Ron Hamilton and John was the current Division Adjutant. I soon learned John was my friend and helped me immensely over my next 20 years. John soon moved from being a Camp Member in Orlando to a moving force in the SCV. As Division Commander he was active in pursuing the Florida License plate, of which at one time he liquated personal assets to make the 70,000.00 needed to do the plate. When I attended Florida Division reunions John was making money for the Division operating the Rebel Store online and investing Division Funds in profitable investments. John even drove down from Orlando to Miami to join us in the Tri county Motorcade honouring 111 Confederate Veterans in Dade Broward and West Palm Beach.

John was active in Division, Army of Tennessee, and National projects. John was responsible for the “Flags across Florida” which soon became the Flags across Dixie project. John established a relationship with the flag pole manufacturers, and the Flag manufacturers to gain the lowest prices for the SCV Division. He also helped Marion Lambert to acquire the Confederate Memorial Park site in Tampa, helping with legal advice in gaining permits for construction. A point of info here is then Capt Larry Carpenter and the men of the Tampa SCVMC were the ones who built the site. Marion welded the pole, Larry’s heavy equipment lifted it into place and the men planted flowers.

John was a member for 25 years and help offices in camp, Division, Army of Tennessee, and National Headquarters. He was the Division Adjutant and Commander while still working as webmaster for Division and National. John worked for AT&T and was an at home gun dealer which I used several times.

He was also responsible for establishing a new award named for past commanders Hogan/ Kuykendall,( This is the third highest award, which can be bestowed upon a member of the Florida Division, Sons of Confederate Veterans.) John knew Past Commanders Hogan, Kuykendall, Hamilton, Adams, Dowson, Davis and now Division Commander Don Young. John personal awards were from National, AOT and Division for service to the SCV. When we lost John we lost a Southron Patriot which will be hard to replace. John you will be missed and I wish you May your ancestors welcome you at the pearly gates with open arms.

#662 Wesley Frank, Editor

“Florida Cracker”

Thursday March 30th Past Florida Division Commander and Adjutant-in-Chief John W. Adams crossed over the river. The Southern Heritage Community has suffered a loss that will continue to ripple through our ranks and shake our foundations for years to come. Commander Adams was not just the leader who insisted and pushed our Division into becoming more “business like” in the mid 1990’s he also developed and designed a new generation of awards and medals we continue to use and helped develop the Flags Across Florida program. John was everywhere, traveling to events in every corner of the state and in the front lines on Heritage disputes in the streets and in the courts. Many have complained that he could be gruff, insensitive and bombastic and that is true.Those of us who worked with him defended John as an acquired taste; in truth he was as kind hearted, gentle and loving as any of us.

What many may not fully understand is that John did not leave Florida Division workings after his terms as Commander. He was a top advisor and go-to-guy for every Division Commander that followed him, including me. It’s true that John had some wacky ideas, but when a proposed constitutional amendment was difficult to understand or elections a bit contentious John Adams was the man with the gavel that everyone knew and would listen to. More than anything else John was one of us, a down to earth Southerner who loved DIXIE; we will miss his wit and leadership. May a merciful God receive him and grant him peace; Godspeed John Adams.

Don C. Young, Commander

Florida Division, Sons of Confederate Veterans

Y'ALL KNOW SPECIFICS BETTER THAN ME AS HE WAS A FLORIDA MAN BUT I WOULD JUST LIKE THE MEN TO KNOW THAT JOHN ADAMS WAS ALWAYS A FRIEND OF THE SCVMC AND STALWART DEFENDER OF ALL THINGS CONFEDERATE. HE WAS A TRUE LEADER THAT PUT HIS MONEY WHERE HIS MOUTH WAS LITERALLY AND FIGURATIVELY AND HAS LEFT A VOID IN THE SCV THAT WILL BE HARD TO FILL.

RAYWWF

KEVIN STONE, Mechanized Cavalry Commander

I remember talking to John Adams many times and I never met a more dedicated man to the principles of the SCV. He did more than talk; he mortgaged his house to provide the funds necessary to put up a $65,000 deposit for the application of a Florida Specialty license plate for the SCV. He was a true compatriot and was a member of the Mechanized Cavalry.

Gregory Kalof, LT Col. #300 SCVMC

Those of us who knew and worked with John Adams respected and admired his great love for the South and Southern Heritage. He was an inspiration to us all. He was always doing something for the Sons of Confederate Veterans. He was also dependable and for that reason he was often called upon when a special assignment had to be done. His fellow Compatriots knew that he would see it through to completion. I do not know where such men come from, except to say they are the kind of men who have made the South great and will continue to preserve it.

Commander Calvin Hart #31

Kirby-Smith Camp #1209

I had knowledge of the passing of Past Florida Division Commander John W. Adams from an e-mail of Wess Frank. I had the honor of meeting him in person during a journey to Spain he made years ago and where he visited me at home together with his wife and daughter.

John W. Adams was the first SCV member I met in person, that was an important day for me. When he arrived at my town he phoned me to have him picked up. I asked him how I could recognise him cause we had never meet before and I didn´t know how he looked like. He answered there wouldn´t be any problem cause he was wearing a shirt with a battleflag on it. I told him I was wearing the SCV Mechanized Cavalry vest. We recognized one another immediately. John W. Adams rest in peace

#266 John Polo

SCV Mechanized Cavalry

3rd Battalion, CO D.

SCV Kirby Smith Camp #1209 - Jacksonville FL

Overseas member

John Polo & John Adams, in Spain

Cindy Adams,  Kathy Adams, John Polo and Johnny Polo

L-R John Adams an John Polo in Polo's in Spain.

  FFLORIDA

Mechanized Cavalry Officers call

by Jim Edwards

The below pics pertain to the Mech-Cav Officers' Call that took place March 18, 2017 at SCV Headquarters in TN. LT Joe Davis and I drove there in my car on March 17th and met LTC Greg Kalof, MAJ Johnny Strickland and CAPT David King at the hotel. I took these pics. Some didn't come out so well, but it was the best I could do. You can put them in the Cracker for the Florida section or not.

Editors note: As Ocall is in March 2017 I’d say the time stamp is off
 

Meeting room Elm Springs

Lt Davis standing Capt King sitting.

Lt Davis at Elm Springs

Stone Mountain 2017 Pilgrimage

 by Jim Edwards

Here are some pics pertaining to our Florida group's ride to Stone Mountain, Georgia, which took place on Friday, March 31st, thru April 2nd, Sunday. The event at Stone Mountain was April 1st, Saturday morning. About 15 of us from Florida rode there, with CPT David King leading us. But over 100 plus SCV bikers from all over the United States showed up -- mainly from Southern States.

The first and second pics show some of the Florida SCV bikers stopping for a

break.

The third and fourth pics show SCV bikers arriving at the Days Inn hotel in the Stone Mountain area.

The fifth pic shows SCV bikers parked at Stone Mountain.

The sixth pic shows General Stone addressing the group at Stone Mountain.

The seventh and last pic shows four of the five Florida Northeast SCV Mech-Cav group members that rode to Stone Mountain taking a picture with General Stone. Names from left to right are: LT Joe Davis, Jimmy Edwards, (Kevin Stone) Jason Montes, and Frank Marjenhoff. Our fifth NE group member, Billy Feagle was off doing other things.

Florida Division Reunion

Ladies and Gentlemen


Attached is the flyer for this year’s Division Reunion 02-04 June. Please give this information wide distribution.

Please note that this year’s point of contact is North West Lt. Commander Ken Daniel; please forward your registrations and checks to him.

It is shaping up to be an informative and exciting event. We look forward to seeing y’all in Ocala.

In Service of the South

Don C. Young

Commander

Florida Division

Sons of Confederate Veterans

 The 47th Annual Florida Division Reunion

Ocala, Florida – June 2-4, 2017

_________________________________________________________

Reunion REGISTRATION FORM

Quantity Total

Registration Fee: Members Only

If Postmarked By May 15th _______ X $35.00 $_________

After May 15th _______ X $45.00 $_________

Luncheon on your own

Awards Banquet: note chicken or pork _______ X $35.00 $_________

The banquet meal includes – Herb Crusted Chicken or Sliced Pork Loin with salad, mixed vegetables, roasted potatoes, rolls and butter, dessert, tea and coffee.

Total Remitted: $__________

NOTE: We will not be able to take meal reservations received after May 15th

Special Note: Friday night Social Under the Oaks will be Shish Kabob. A $5 donation at the event is appreciated but not required.

Please Make Checks Payable To: SCV Florida Division Inc

NAME: __________________________Guest:__________________

ADDRESS: _________________________________________________

City: ________________ State:_____________ Phone: ________________

CAMP NAME & NUMBER: _______________________________________________

Please Mail Registration Form & Check to:

NW LT. COMMANDER KENNETH U. DANIEL, 209 N. DEVILLIERS ST., PENSACOLA, FL 32502

The 47th Annual Florida Division Reunion

Ocala, Florida – June 2-4, 2017

__________________________________________________________________________________________

Motel Reservations

This years Reunion will be held at the Holiday Inn & Conference Center located on the west side of I-75 & S.R. 200 in Ocala. The address is 3600 SW 38th Ave., Ocala, Florida 34474

For reservations call 352 629-9500 or 877 622-5211 by May 8 and please reference the SCV Convention for special convention room rates of $89.00 per night for double occupancy.

The 47th Annual Florida Division Reunion

Ocala, Florida – June 2-4, 2017

Ancestor Memorial for the 2017 Division Program

Ancestor memorials are $5.00 for the 2017 Florida Division Reunion program.

Please complete the memorial information below and forward this form along with your check to NW LT. Commander KENNETH U. DANIEL,

209 N. DeVilliers St., Pensacola, FL 32502.

Your Name: ________________________________________________

Ancestors Relation: ______________________________________________

Ancestors Name: _________________________________________
Ancestors Rank: ___________________________________________

Ancestors Company & Regiment: __________________________

Ancestors Branch of Service: ___________________________________

Qty:_________ X $5.00 = Total: _________________

Deadline for memorials is May 10, 2017. Please make checks payable to the SCV Florida Division Inc.

  KENTUCKY

By “Peg Leg” Steve Beeler

Happy Easter from the Bunny

Trash Pickup done on Jefferson Davis Highway

The road Crew at work, lead by 1st Lt. Joe Ford

Kentucky Chain Gang after work, excuse me Road Crew

Good License plate holder

Hopkinsville protest being lead by SCV and Mechanized Cavalry members. The story is an archeologist wants to dug up Confederate Graves in Hopkinsville Cemetery and loot it in the name of Science.

He will just not go away. Despite a unanimous vote by the Hopkinsville City Council to ban this guy from the cemetery, the archeologist Dr. William Meacham still wants to continue digging into, desecrating and looting Confederate graves in Hopkinsville's Riverside Cemetery.

To stop this travesty once and for all please go the Kentucky New Era's Official Website, then go to "Opinion". Under Opinion there is a survey asking if you approve or disapprove of his actions.

Please vote to disapprove and help us and the city council in banning him permanently from the cemetery. Please help in stopping further desecration of these veteran's graves.

Please forward this email to everyone you know.

At last count the vote is about 55% "yes" for him to keep digging and 45% "no" to stop his digging!

Thank you very much,

Larry Walston