Dear Ms. Lunelle,
On Monday morning June 9, 2025, don in the uniform of the Southern soldier, I would make my way to Ft. Mitchel, Alabama to the Historic Ft. Mitchel Military Cemetery for the burial ceremony for one of my closest friends and brother; decorated United States Army Major and Commander of the Alabama Division of the Sons of Confederate Veterans as well as 1st Lieutenant of the Military Order of the Stars and Bars, the Honorable Douglas Barrett.
By the time my and Terry Lee's baby girl "Allison’s" arrival at the funeral procession site with her father's remains and the rest of the family, I had been hugged by nearly everyone from the throng of people gathered. However, the biggest hug would come from Allison who insisted that I ride in the front seat of one of the family cars with her, her two daughters and her baby boy. And that I remain by her side the whole time. "And I did," standing only for Taps, the Bag Piper, and with the Southern Cross in hand for the folding of the Stars and Stripes by the military Honor Guard as it was presented to Allison's mother, just as a Military Fly Over Salute ensued.
I would ask for, and given, permission to address everyone after the Chaplain's Invocation. I would tell them that when Terry Lee and I left Georgia on the Historic March Across Dixie, a Black man told us that if we made it through Alabama that our chances of making it to Texas alive would be pretty good. The next morning Terry Lee, Doug, and I began our 20-mile March, and after some eight miles or so, we began to approach ten Black men working on a bridge that was closed off to traffic; each, except the eldest, had a hammer, bursting the bridge. They stopped working as we approached.
I thought to myself, well, if we got to fight, I can take one, Terry two, and Doug the other seven. (I would reach across the Podium for Doug's son and grab Doug 's son, who was the exact size of his Father, a giant of a man. )
I told them, "this is Douglas Barrett, about 6' 6", about 300 lbs., a real hunk; he could handle seven of you! However, the eldest reached out his hand, and said “good morning Mr. Barrett! They called us from down the line and told us y'all were coming this way with two men who were walking to Texas, twenty miles a day, six days a week with our flag. Y’all be careful and have a great day, Mr. Barrett.”
It was like that all along the way...”good morning, Mr. Doug! Y'all have a great day and you boys, a safe journey to Texas.”
I would tell those gathered that after those 20 miles, Doug and his wife would take us into their home, feed us, housed us, gave us some money and officially adopted us into their family.
I would tell them that people talk about the Table of Brotherhood, especially in Alabama. But it was Doug Barrett who built that Table and Terry Lee and I carried it all the way to the Supreme Court Building in Austin, Texas because Doug showed us how.
The Commander of the Confederate Honor Guard would command each member of the Guard in a show of "Honor" to remove from their uniform coat a button and present it to Mrs. Barett. I would ask after the Ceremony if I could send Doug off with the Rebel Yell. His answer was "HK you can do whatever you want to, it will be an honorable Charge!"
One my most grateful memories of Cmdr. Barrett was his invitation to speak at the Confederate Memorial Day Ceremony at the Alabama State Capital this year. He knew that Jefferson Davis’ inauguration there was on my birthday and that of all the places I had spoken and visited, it had not happened…but he made it so.
On this trip, we both bemoaned the fact that the Sons of Confederate Veterans hadn’t done enough to fight to restore the Arlington National Cemetery and he pledged to lead the Alabama Division in doing more. I do hope and pray that his successors will honor his pledge.
God bless you!
Your brother,
HK
Chairman, Board of Advisors Emeritus, Southern Legal Resource Center
Member, Save Southern Heritage Florida
Member, Simonton-Wilcox Camp 257 Sons of Confederate Veterans
Honorary Member, TN OCR #25
Honorary Life Member, Jackson Rangers Camp 1917 Sons of Confederate Veterans
Honorary Associate Member, Abner Baker Chapter 1404 United Daughters of the Confederacy
Founder, Veterans Defending the Arlington National Cemetery Reconciliation Memorial Cenotaph
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