Dear Ms. Lunelle;
I have spent so much time reporting on the battles we face with the attempted eradication of our glorious heritage..."the removal of our Cenotaphs, the attack on the Women’s Cenotaph in Jacksonville, the renaming of military bases in the South", that I would be remiss in my duty if I did not report on my time at the Plant City (Friday, Dec. 2nd) and Zephyrhills Christmas Parades (Sat. Dec. 3rd). And certainly not to forget the time spent at the Tipton County Museum Living History Event.
Lots of things happen during the time before a Parade begins or want for a better term; "steps off". There I stood alongside the beautiful float of the United Daughters of the Confederacy while don in the uniform of the Confederate soldiers with the Southern Cross (Confederate Battle flag) in hand and a sign that would later be placed on the Float that read..."Plant City Put Our Monument Back!”
I would take literally hundreds of photos from the spectators and parade participants as well, and had to field many questions about what Monument? One such came from 4 young Black women who would inquire. “The Confederate soldier’s” would come my reply. Who took it down, and why they asked? Your City leaders, and they proclaimed it was because it was offensive to Black citizens of Plant City.
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