Albany Sons of Confederate Veterans camp schedules Lee-Jackson banquet

ALBANY — A Southwest Georgia Lee-Jackson Banquet, hosted by the Albany Sons of Confederate Veterans Camp, will be held Saturday at American Legion Post 30’s facility at 2916 Gillionville Road.

The Leesburg-based band A Joyful Noise will perform Confederate and Southern Gospel music from 5 p.m.-6 p.m., followed by a meal catered by Southern Elegance. Following the meal, the program will include a speech honoring Confederate generals Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson. The primary speech will be delivered by Albany SCV Camp Commander James W. King.

Confederate generals Lee and Thomas Jonathan (Stonewall) Jackson have received recognition from many notable historians, both in America and Europe, as great military leaders. Their battle tactics are still studied today at military colleges and training centers.

Over the years since 1865, numerous books have been written detailing the lives and military histories of the two generals. Among the notable individuals who praised Lee are U.S. Presidents Teddy Roosevelt and Dwight Eisenhower. Roosevelt declared that Lee was the “greatest of all the great captains that the English-speaking peoples have brought forth.” Eisenhower said that a nation of men of Lee’s caliber would be “unconquerable in spirit and soul” and that today’s American youth should “emulate his rare qualities and by doing so our love of freedom would be sustained.”

In his presentation, King will present a rebuttal of the criticisms that have been made against both Jackson and Lee.

All SCV and United Daughters of the Confederacy members and their families, as well as friends and members of the public who are interested in Southern and Confederate history can attend Saturday’s banquet. The cost is $20 per person for adults and $16 for attendees 18 and under. Make checks payable to SCV CAMP 141.

Advance reservations are required. Contact King at [email protected] or call (229) 854-1944.