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Sons of Confederate Veterans* Serving the Osage River Valley Barton, Bates, Benton, Camden, Cedar, Dade, Dallas, Henry, Hickory, Miller, Morgan, Polk, St. Clair, Vernon *Sons of Confederate Veterans is an international fraternal society founded over 100 years ago and is a 501,3c Not-for- Profit organization whose mission is education and preserving the memory of the Confederate soldier. For more details visit: www.scv.org or the brand new camp website: www.coffeecamp.org For immediate release: Contact: For interviews, Cmd. Gary Ayres…417-754-8395 All other inquiries: Press Officer…David Reif…573-365-0186 Annual Dinner Attracts Record Crowd Some 141 members and guests attended the 5th Annual Confederate Heritage Dinner on Saturday 15 April hosted by the John T. Coffee Camp, Sons of Confederate Veterans. The event was held at the beautiful Orleans Trail Resort on Lake Stockton, Missouri. People from 9 states came together for an evening of fellowship and edification to make this year’s dinner the largest yet. Although featured speaker Donald Kennedy was called away at the last minute due to the grave illness of his 90 year old mother the speaker’s job was skillfully taken by Dr. Edward DeVries of Wichita, KS. He spoke about the Christian life of the Confederate General J. E. B. Stewart. A native of Indiana Dr. DeVries came to admire the Confederate Cause when he studied the life of its leaders concluding that the South was right. His 42 minute speech was followed by a standing ovation. Dr. DeVries is an author and theologian who has written over 16 books and has numerous published articles. He delivered his lecture for SCV members, guests, and dignitaries from the national SCV office at Elm Springs in Tennessee. Among the organization officials attending were: national Commander-in- Chief, Denne Sweeny, national Chief-of-Staff, Ron Casteel, Trans-Mississippi Commander, Chuck Rand, and Missouri Division Commander, John Christensen. The master of ceremonies was J. T. Coffee Camp Commander, Gary Ayres, Invocation was by Rev. Robert Phillips, and the hymn was presented by Linda Carlton. |