VOLUME XIII ISSUE 1 2020

ROUGH The Sons of Confederate Veterans – Camp 265

AND

THE
READYS RANKIN DISPATCH
RANKIN

CAMP
265
Home of the Rankin Rough & Ready’s – Brandon, Mississippi

Camp 265 group photo at the December meeting and Christmas party. We are all blessed to have such a wonderful extended SCV family!

Meeting Agenda for January 4th: Commander’s Report

Agenda For January 4th, 2020 Meeting
- Open with prayer at 7pm sharp I hope that 2020 brings everyone a safe, healthy, and
- Pledge of Allegiance to the US flag and salutes led by 2nd Lt. happy new year! Our speaker in January will be Terry
Commander Tom Lilly Bailey from the reenacting community. His topic will be
- Trivia by Ralph Smitherman
- Speaker–Terry Bailey: Beauvoir Memorial Cemetery; Q & A
the Beauvoir Memorial Cemetery. Terry is a great guy and
I know you will enjoy his presentation. We will have
Unfinished Business Relic Show updates, AR15 updates, a short business
- Adopt minutes from November 2nd, Motion, 2nd, Discussion, session, good food, great company, and much more. So,
Vote. bring someone with you, come early, and as sure as pigs
- Did everyone sign in & get a door prize ticket? are made of bacon, I’ll probably see you at our next
- www.scv265.com and Facebook stats from Chris Merck meeting at Fernando’s Mexican restaurant located at 2146
- First Thursday Coin Club Meeting at the Brandon Library at Highway 471 in Brandon Mississippi 39047.
6:30pm hosted by Ed Lofton & draw for first door prize
- OCR Report by Brandi Gray – Tim Cupit
- Camp polo shirts– Lynn Gaskin
- AR15 drawing will be in May - on ticket per $50 of ads sold
for our newsletter.
- Report on VA shop, Rest Home, and Salvation Army bell
ringing.
Keep up with what’s happening in and around
- Report on headstones for the CSS Arkansas Sailors
Camp 265 by checking out the official
Rankin Rough & Ready’s Facebook page!
New Business
- New Members http://www.facebook.com/scv265
- Relic Show update
- Pass the hat
- Door Prizes
- Open floor
- Close meeting with prayer at approximately 8:20pm Commander’s Quote:
- Please help with cleanup! “If it’s important to you, you’ll find a way.
If not- you’ll find an excuse.”
 CHAPLAIN’S REPORT ADJUTANT’S REPORT
by Tom Fortenberry by Charles Lewis
"No people who teach their youth to be proud of their past need never
despair of their future.”
– James B. Avirett, Confederate Chaplain 1837-1912
A SOLDIER’S CHRISTMAS POEM I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. We had a
good group at the December meeting/Christmas party. Rabi Tom Fortenberry
The day has passed as I write these words opened the meeting with prayer. Councilman Chris Merck called the meeting
at the evenings end to order. A motion was made,second, and passed to table accepting of
November's minutes until the January meeting. A few announcements were
The sun has set for now made and the meeting was adjourned.
as darkness has gathered in Santa Clause stopped by and gave out goody bags and gift cards to the
The glowing embers beckon me cadets and/or members under age 15, and the OCR rosebuds.
Draw close as the cold nights air surrounds Mr. Ralph Smitherman read the Christmas story from his Braille Bible.
The Camp fires light spreads across the field This reading has become a special part of our Christmas party.
Christmas trivia determined the winners of the door prizes. Charla Lewis
where men have now laid down conducted the trivia and I think we all learned a few interesting things about
The drifting smoke ascends toward heaven, men’s silent thoughts Christmas.
gather round Camp member, Joe Cox ( and grandson Brayden Gray ) entertained us
A spoken prayer with stories of his days on the Louisiana Hayride, and several musical
selections.
A common act of hope Rabi Tom and Mike Jones ended the party with prayer and a scripture
A witness shared reading in Hebrew and English. As the kids would say, " It was awesome."
A reason not to fight
When on that night both blue and gray met and yet not to take 2019 in review:
one’s life Jan. - Members attended Lee Jackson banquets at various locations.
Feb. - Participated in Dixie National Rodeo Parade with marchers and float.
Joined together with hate aside and shared hope of peace Trash pickup on Hwy. 80, Brandon, MS
yet maybe just for one night March - Food drive for Freedom Food Pantry at VA Hospital, Jackson, MS
Soldiers joined handshakes and shared their common thoughts Members attended 4th Brigade Johnston White picnic.
Snow is falling now as if blessings of comfort and joy from above April - Candlelight Memorial Service at monthly meeting.
Participated in several Confederate Memorial services.
I lift my eyes to Heaven to Him Who was, is now, and shall ever be With the OCR held a prayer/decoration day service at Drake United
My God in Whom I thrust Methodist Church In Flowood, MS.
for He has charged me the task of true peace May - Set up and operated Turkey Shoot at the Trail of Honor, Jackson MS.
Unchanging faith restores my hope of yet another day Trash pickup on Hwy. 80.
Carry on soldier, carry on June - Held the 124th MS. Division reunion in Brandon, MS
Held annual relic show, Brandon, MS
I hear the sounding cry Delivered food to the Freedom Food Pantry at the VA Hospital
Is it man or not that reassures my life Participated in Thomas O. McDonald Memorial Service.
To carry on the cause July - Living history at the Vicksburg National Park, and Old Courthouse in
I am a confederate soldier and I will carry on the fight Vicksburg.
Held a party at Spinners in Florence, MS.
Knowing that even peace did come on that special night. Attended National SCV reunion in Mobile, AL.
With OCR rang the Salvation Army Red Kettle bell for Christmas in July.
Sept. - With the OCR donated a MIA/POW Chair to the VA Hospital.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Years Participated in the dedication and unveiling of the chair.
May God Bless each of you this season. Trash pickup along Hwy. 80.
Oct. - Attended Fall Muster in Biloxi, MS where we set up and operated the
Turkey Shoot.
– Tom Fortenberry, Chaplain, Camp 265 Attended Jeffery Forrest marker dedication.
Delivered food to Freedom Food Pantry at VA Hospital
Nov. - With the OCR rang the Salvation Army Red Kettle bell.
Attended and/or participated in the reenactment at Camp Moore, LA.
Sent Christmas cards to deployed troops.
Dec. - Held annual camp Christmas party.
Attended VA Christmas Shoppe at the VA Hospital.
Attended VA Christmas Shoppe at the VA State Nursing Home.
AND so much more.

Condolences to the Bond family on the death of Chuck Bond. Mr. Bond
was a most able defender of our Southern heritage and history. He will be
missed.
Condolences to Marilyn Robbins, from Minden LA. on the death of her
husband Clarence Lee Robbins. Mr. Robbins, a camp 265 member, may have
lived in Minden but he was a loyal member and supporter of our camp. He
really enjoyed reading and hearing about our camp activities. Rest in peace
Mr. Robbins.
God Speed and prayers to all the troops that will be deploying in January.
Mr. Joe & Braden entertaining at the Camp 265 Christmas party. Mr. Willard Chatham displaying the AR15 pistol for the camp fundraiser.

Several of the OCR ladies and Black Roses traveled to Beauvoir and participated in Wreaths Across America.
Members from Camp 265 and the MAFOCR, among others, attended the Christmas Shoppe at the VA State Veteran’s Home on Saturday December 14th, 2019.

A Confederate Christmas Dance in Vicksburg, MS!

For more information about SCV Camp 265,

the Rankin Rough & Ready’s, visit us online at:

ROUGH
AND
http://www.scv265.com
READYS
RANKIN

Chuck & Brandi Gray at the Old Capitol Museum enjoying the St. Andrews
CAMP
265 Cathedral Choir.
Christmas dinner at the Wisteria Inn in Crystal Springs, Mississippi!

Chris Merck visiting the Meridian SCV Camp in December.

UDC members visited the Edwards, MS police department to donate clothes, toys,
and Christmas decorations for recent tornado victims!

On December 12, 1862, The Cairo was guarding a mine-clearing expedition on the
Yazoo River. Her commander, hearing small arms fire coming from up ahead,
steamed around the other gunboats into unexplored waters. Suddenly, explosions
tore open the wooden hull. She sank quickly in 36 feet of water. No lives were lost
and the crew was recovered by nearby vessels.
Setting headstones and remembering those that served on the CSS Arkansas.

The CSS Arkansas.

PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS - THEY SUPPORT US!
 The Sons of Confederate Veterans
Camp #265

THE RANKIN DISPATCH NON-PROFIT ORG.

U.S. POSTAGE PAID
317 Lake Heather Road BRANDON, MS
Brandon, MS 39047 PERMIT NO. 265

Our next meeting is January 4th at:

Fernando’s Mexican Restaurant
2146 Hwy 471
Brandon, MS 39047
at 7:00pm. Come early!