South wants to rise again - St. Petersburg Times

By Andrew Meacham and Jessica Vander Velde, Times staff writers
Posted: May 30, 2008 03:42 PM

The Sons of Confederate Veterans wants to raise the Confederate flag near the intersection of I-75 and U.S. 92 (just south of I-4). The group is raising money to erect a flag -- 50 feet long and 30 feet high -- that could be seen by passing motorists. Billed in a fund-raising announcement as the "world's largest" Confederate flag, it would be lit at night and make what the group calls a "visually stunning" statement.

It would mark the Sons of Confederate Veterans' third project in Florida. Between 1999 and 2001, the SCV erected two smaller flags just south of the Georgia line on U.S. 27 and Interstate 75.

"The environment of today is quite frequently to forget where we came from," said Douglas Dawson, the SCV's Florida division commander. "And that includes what this country was founded on."

Dawson, 62, of Pensacola, said he knows a giant Confederate flag flying 24 hours a day over two of the Tampa Bay area's busiest roads will cause controversy.

"We can't do anything but explain to people what the truth is," Dawson said. "If they don't want to accept that, they're closed-minded and Jesus Christ couldn't change it.

The site, in unincorporated Hillsborough County just east of Tampa, would also be home to a small park honoring Confederate ancestors. The park will display the names of minority Confederate soldiers in a special exhibit, Dawson said.

The group has been raising money for two years but lacks the tens of tousands of dollars money needed to erect the flag.

Comments on this article

by M	Jun 4, 2008 1:59 PM
Let it fly. The institution of slavery doesn't rest solely on the backs of Southerners. Remember, Southerners bought them from Yankee slave owners. I think the truth of Yankee murders should be told too!

by Rob	Jun 3, 2008 6:28 PM
How can the Battle Flag represent slavery? The Confederacy lasted only 4 years. The US had slaves for over 200. Every flag is offensive to someone. I support the SCV efforts to educate the public

by Scott	Jun 3, 2008 3:24 PM
The truth will be told: the Confederate battle flag is seen worldwide as a symbol of freedom from tyranny and hope for the people. Don't be concerned about the funds, K, they will be there. And, interestingly enough, many donations from up North.

by Barry	Jun 3, 2008 2:36 PM
Compatriot Dawaon, God Bless you and your fellow Compatriots. Stand up for our "Southern Heritage" and ignore those supporters of northern aggression. Fly it high and with pride. God Bless the South and Her Heritage.

by Cohen	Jun 3, 2008 2:34 PM
Disgusting! They are saying: we are racists, and we are proud of it! Billy Bobs of Florida, unite: long live NASCAR, country music, no formal education, and wife beating...talk about stereotypes and people living up to them. Jail those monsters!!!

by WO	Jun 2, 2008 4:14 PM
As per usual, only a few of the commenters have any idea what they are talking about. "Ignorance is a terrible thing to waste". GGSCV.

by Mike	Jun 2, 2008 4:14 PM
I am very excited with the announcement concerning the Confederate flag being flown in Hillsborough county for all to view. This is the same county which pandered to a handful of dissenters in the late nineties causing a change in the county seal.

by charlie	Jun 2, 2008 4:13 PM
What happened to all of the Confederate flags that we used to see Southerners proudly flying ? I even remember Hillsborough County having the Confederate flag in the county seal about 20 years ago. I see Lake City is still proud of the South.

by Christopher	Jun 2, 2008 4:09 PM
When reality, truth and honour are restored in this land, many will look back on this valiant effort by the Florida Division Sons of Confederate Veterans with much pride and respect. Deo Vindice Dixie Forever

by James	Jun 2, 2008 4:07 PM
You people must have had some sorry history & civics teachers. The Confederate flag is part of American culture. It has nothing in common w/the Nazi flag. They are antithetical in principle! It's a battle flag in remembrance of brave Floridians.

by Steve	Jun 2, 2008 3:52 PM
Heritage not hate??? How about a heritage OF hate. The South was immoral and it is a good thing it lost the Civil War.

by Leeman	Jun 2, 2008 3:50 PM
"Sure and lets fly a Nazi flag underneath the confederate one." Swastika under the federal flag reflects the reality. Ask the Indians. Ask hitler. He admired a. lincoln. Ask those civilians in sherman's path who were murdered, raped and homes burnt

by Jerry	Jun 2, 2008 3:41 PM
The sons of confederat veterans are dedicated to stamping out ignorance, predujuice. Start with "K", He has got to be the poster boy for Stupidity. Good luck and God's speed with the flag.

by William	Jun 2, 2008 3:25 PM
I am amazed at the number of idiots who have commented so far....Treason?? Go read the Constitution you morons. I suppose you consider George Washington a Traitor to the Crown also? SIC SEMPER TYRANNIS!!

by Johnny	Jun 2, 2008 3:13 PM
There are many with ancestors from the old south that mean no disrespect or want to make a statement for racist reasons. What are the intentions of the Sons of Confederate Veterans?

by Dennis	Jun 2, 2008 3:10 PM
Why exactly should we accept flying a gigantic eyesore in the form of the flag of treason? Even if you dismiss it as a racist symbol, it is still a symbol of a movement to tear apart our nation.

by Doug	Jun 2, 2008 2:46 PM
Geeze, quit fretting already. The CSA didn't want to conquer anybody and there are no mass graves in Dixie like Germany. It seems it is to honor the CSA and not create a seperate country again. I'm from Michigan and would give for their heritage.

by Jmes	Jun 2, 2008 2:43 PM
I think this is a noble effort and long overdue. Let the truth be known.

by Dave	Jun 2, 2008 2:40 PM
Bravo SCV! If the NAACP refuses to recognize the 60,000+ BLACK Confederate veterans who served because it would expose their lies about Southern Blacks and the Civil War, at least the SCV is willing to recognize and honor them.

by Mark	Jun 2, 2008 2:31 PM
Great flag! And great opportunity for a proper education about why the South fought for independence. It wasn't about slavery; states' rights, high tariffs, staying with the original constitution, religious differences, and more. Search "Ten Causes"

by Jen	Jun 2, 2008 2:29 PM
You have got to be kinding me! 2008 and these idiots want to glorify pre-1865. Wow! Mom was right, they are still fighting the Civil War. I can't understand why they would want to remember being losers over and over again. Fly a huge "L" instead!

by Jimmy	Jun 2, 2008 1:52 PM
All you naysayers are as ignorant as they come. We, of the Southern heritage movement, have learned that the conflict was much more complex than you guys know. History was not fixed. The US would have continued on, just smaller in size.

by Drew	Jun 2, 2008 1:42 PM
Great idea! Maybe the guys at the concession stand can all wear white hoods and robes. And on Sundays, have a big flaming cross. Yeah, no one will see anything twisted and foolish about that.

by Clint	Jun 2, 2008 1:39 PM
It is obvious that most of the posters are brain washed yankees who are occupying the South and runnig their mouth's about something they know nothing about. When the NWO takes place,they will probably be the first to have a chip up their...

by Andrew	May 31, 2008 7:31 AM
There is nothing totally wrong with that flag, however it has a very negative image attached to it. Flying it so large would not rid those, rather tarnish Tampa to visitors as a southern-pride hotbed. I don't mind their museum but hope no flag.

by Chuck	May 30, 2008 8:03 PM
and what do the common folks think of gays? enough said...go ahead, fly your confederate flag. be like them

by Ed	May 30, 2008 8:03 PM
Sedition is at the core of all of this and I wonder how many of these stars and bars people love their country. Every time they salute that flag they desecrate the honor of old glory and the AMERICANS who fought for it.

by Bill	May 30, 2008 8:01 PM
I believe many blacks still prefer to be known as African Americans even tho it was their African brothers that captured them and sold them into slavery to begin with. The "War of Northern Aggression" as a different meaning to many.

by Rick M	May 30, 2008 7:28 PM
It doesn't take much to rile people now. If the flag is seen as reflective of defending slavery, oops! But I think flag is nice, and we are in the south. They fought well, but lost. Their veterans should be known as well. They are also Americans.

by tacyzae	May 30, 2008 6:59 PM
The time for divisive gestures like this is long gone. As Abraham Lincoln said "A house divided against itself cannot stand" There are so many problems to be solved. Why spend money,time and energy on something like this?

by Chris	May 30, 2008 6:59 PM
Regardless of the bogus "heritage" argument we hear, that flag represented a reprehensible philosophy that supported the degrading practice of slavery. Ignorance should not be honored.

by Lisa	May 30, 2008 6:59 PM
Forget where we came from? What this country was founded on? What the truth is? Half of Florida residents come from the North, who won the war and abolished slavery. The country was founded on "all men are created equal". Truth: Confederacy=bigotry.

by Ralph	May 30, 2008 6:59 PM
My wife's grandfather died in the Battle of the Bulge fighting fot the...Nazis...I demand a Nazi flag to honor her grandpa's memory! Moral: Just because your ancestor fought and died for something doesn't make it right or justified.

by August West	May 30, 2008 6:59 PM
I'd sooner see an al Qaeda flag. Al Qaeda has killed far fewer American than did the traitors of the Confederacy. That vile, repugnant flag represents one thing only: Treason. These scum must really hate America to rub treason in our faces.

by Jo	May 30, 2008 6:58 PM
South want to rise to what ? A resurrection of the slavery and bigotry that many other of our forefathers fought to overcome ! The very notion is a travesty.