Ask Yourself...What If? - Commentary by J.A. Davis

Jeff Davis

Jeff Davis is a retired radio-TV journalist living in Gainesville, GA. Active in civic and political affairs, he is past president of the Georgia Jaycees, former vice president of the US and the world Jaycees, former campaign chairman of the Georgia Republican party. He voluntarily serves as chairman of the Georgia Heritage Council. He is a collateral descendant of President Jefferson Davis.

Ask Yourself...What if?, by J. A. Davis

Much good commentary on the decision of the Richmond Superior Court has been written. I commend to your attention the articles of Woody Highsmith, Billy Bearden and Steve Scroggins, with more to come. They are good and filled with educational and historical background you should be pleased to have. They're on the GHC website.

If you haven't read them, it might be difficult time wise to tackle them all at once, but you should read them when convenient.

Also included was a commentary by me in which I point out the Augusta case is more than a flag fight. The Appeal filed by Georgia Heritage Council and others will, I hope cause you to say "What If?"

What if the Georgia Supreme Court refuses to hear it and lets the Richmond County Superior Court decision stand? Does this mean any community in the state can use the same defense such as the proximity of the memorial site to military related actions? If so, say goodbye to your memorials.

What if the Supreme Court takes the case and rules in favor of Judge Wheale's decision that the national flag of a nation has little or no bearing on the military? Does this mean the U. S. flag falls under the same ruling?

What if the Supreme Court rules as Judge Wheale did that Riverwalk with its series of military and national flags and plaques does not fall under the Georgia statute protecting military monuments and memorials? How is that going to affect your local military monuments?

Look at the exact quotations in the articles mentioned above from the hearing transcript. Then, ask yourself why haven't we heard more from veterans organizations? Do they know there is a possibility that the flags their members revere (past and present) can be deemed as expendable or "politically incorrect" and have no official Georgia protection under similar circumstances?

Do they, or you, realize that even the current Georgia state flag with a Revolutionary era soldier shown on the Georgia Seal could fall into the same category based on the the ruling of the court?

It makes you wonder if the Georgia legislature which was clear in overwhelmingly passing the act protecting monuments and memorials is even aware that a Superior Court has virtually eliminated the full intent of the act with some flimsy loopholes that wouldn't hold water in most non-activist courts.

What does this say for the City of Augusta which proposed these loophole arguments to the court? It's hard to believe the good people of Richmond County support such denigration of any monument, memorial, plaque or flag. Much of the economic enterprise of Augusta centers around Fort Gordon. What if, just what if someone at Fort Gordon sees first hand what the City has done in its court pleading and how it might affect the relationship between Fort Gordon and the City including that of the troops at Fort Gordon?

Be careful, these same usual suspects will get the idea to change the name of Fort Gordon. After all, wasn't John B. Gordon the designated officer of those horrible Confederates that surrendered to General Joshua Chamberlain at Appomattox Courthouse? Wasn't that a Second National flag that was ordered furled there, the same flag Augusta won't put back? The same flag removed from Riverwalk that Judge Wheale says has no military connection. The same flag that covered the casket of General Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson.

What if, just what if, the veterans and the people of Richmond County as well as all of Georgia awaken to the potential of the loss of official recognition of memorials and flags of our state and nation?

What if, just what if, the Georgia General Assembly discovers their efforts to preserve and protect monuments, memorials and flags have been undermined and flushed by the City of Augusta and the Richmond Superior Court?

Yes, it's far more reaching than a flag and a plaque at Riverwalk being removed to satisfy the whims of a vocal minority. These decisions affect the future of monuments and memorials in Georgia. The question must be answered, can a single judge overturn the intention of an act of the legislature? Which monument or flag will be ruled "politically incorrect" and removed tomorrow?

If you've taken the time to read this and the recommended commentary above, I hope you will see that the future of Georgia's past rests on this case. Consider beyond yourself the effect it could have on your children and grandchildren and generations yet unborn.

That's why we need to win. That's why we need your help. That's why we ask you to support our legal team as they go forward representing the true history and heritage bequeathed all of us to preserve and protect. Their honor is at stake, and you might say, so is ours if we don't stand with them.

Will you stand?

Here's how you can help. Send your contributions by check to our Treasurer, Lum Petitt, made to GHC, 424 Davison Road, Cleveland, GA 30528, OR by credit card, follow these instructions:

to pay by PAYPAL, CLICK HERE and be sure to indicate "Riverwalk" in the message/purpose field so that the funds are earmarked.

Contact: Telephone 770 297-4788 P-6, 2363 North Cliff Colony Drive Gainesvlle, GA 30501