Robert E. Lee remembered in Atlanta - Essay by Calvin E. Johnson, Jr.

Calvin E. Johnson, Jr.

A native of Georgia, Calvin Johnson lives near the historic town of Kennesaw and he's a member of the Chattahoochee Guards Camp, Sons of Confederate Veterans.

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Robert E. Lee remembered in Atlanta – - Essay by Calvin E. Johnson, Jr.

The weather was unusually pleasant in Atlanta, Georgia as more then 200 people came to Georgia's State Capitol to remember a great American---Robert E. Lee.

Men, women and children congregated in a parking lot on Whitehall Street to take part in the annual Robert E. Lee parade and birthday celebration at Atlanta Georgia's Capitol.

As the parade participants began their half-mile journey to the capitol a young man began playing "Dixie" on his banjo. Like many, this Robert E. Lee birthday on January 19, he proudly wore the Confederate uniform of his Southern ancestors.

The Robert E. Lee birthday procession made a turn onto MItchell Street and then up to Capitol Ave., down Marlin Luther King Dr. and to the Washington Street entrance of the capitol building.

The crowd grew to well over two hundred people but, with the Confederate flags they carried, it looked like many more. Many carried the 1956 Georgia flag. One woman said she was upset that the 1956 People's flag was not on the flag referendum in 2004.

Everyone began entering the capitol for a memorial of speeches including; several elected representatives, the Commander and Spokesman of the Georgia Division SCV and the Keynote Speaker, Pastor John Weaver. Young men, our next generation, carried the US, People's Georgia and Confederate flags in the color guard.

To finalize this 18th annual Robert E. Lee birthday at Georgia's State Capitol, Dixie was played and ended with hundreds of Rebel Yells that some say could be heard from outside the building.

Plans are underway to commemorate the 200th birthday of General Robert E. Lee on his birthday, next year, January 19, 2007, in Virginia.

All "50" State Legislatures and governors should support a special proclamation to be read next year in remembrance of Robert E. Lee. A national proclamation should be signed by President George Bush for Robert E. Lee's 200th birthday. Ask your respected State Legislator and Governor to proclaim, January 19, 2007, "Robert E. Lee's Birthday."

A native of Georgia, Calvin Johnson lives near the historic town of Kennesaw, home of the locomotive "The General" from the War Between the States. His email is: cjohnson1861@bellsouth.net.