August 28th the Georgia flaggers made history again, this time with the first known naval flagging held on Lake Oconee at the Ritz Carlton Lodge in Reynolds Plantation near Greensboro, GA. Present were twenty-something Citizen regulars and several volunteers with watercraft temporarily impressed into the Confederate fleet....all were out to make sure Georgia’s Lying Governor Sonny Perdue and his guests know that Sonny is a Liar and Heritage Hypocrite unworthy of their trust or support (he certainly doesn’t have ours!). Everyone sailing on this event had a blast!! This historic flagging will be recorded as one with a very high fun factor. See the pictures! We had several disappointments but overall I think it was a worthwhile venture enough that flaggers can legitimately claim victories.

Warning: This report will contain a lot of nautical lingo and sailing metaphors and any bad puns I can conjure. Sorry land-lovers, deal with it.

The Event was the annual meeting of The Southern Governor’s Association. This year Liar Perdue was the chairman and hosted the event in Georgia. Last year was in Virginia; next year will be in Louisiana. Nine governors planned to attend but several cancelled due to Hurricane Katrina’s imminent landfall on the Gulf Coast. The governors with their several entourages, including families, security, aides, energy wonks, PR/marketing wonks and corporate sponsors (e.g., BellSouth, Coca-Cola, and other lobbyists and influence-buyers) and others played golf, shot skeet, sailed on watercraft and.... watched flaggers.

The fleet consisted of two assault Pontoons (the CSS Punt Perdue and the CSS Muley), one attack bass boat (the CSS Coleman), two Swift Flagger Jetskis (SF-1 and SF-2) and two other volunteer craft who joined in temporarily. One young man about 18 joined us in the initial assault formation, and Seaman Rod Waller got on board his vessel with flag and we cruised in for our first showing of the colors and signs. We were all smiles and waves....the radio soon crackled to life as security personnel from DNR and the State Patrol swung into action to monitor our every move. The scanner aboard the CSS Punt Perdue kept us entertained and grinning like catfish sucking rich pond scum....OK, I don't really know if catfish grin while they suck scum or not, but thinking of Perdue brought a catfish to mind.

What's the difference between Sonny Perdue and a catfish? One is a stinking scumsucking bottom-feeder and the other is a fish. Perdue (so far as I know) doesn't really stink until his lips start moving and lies tumble out. I digress...

But before we get too deep into the flagging, let’s back up and lay some background. I mention a few details and purposely omit some to honor Stonewall Jackson’s instruction to always mystify and mislead your enemy.

When this event first appeared on our radar screens, we knew we couldn’t let this pass, ESPECIALLY when it was made known that Liar Perdue would unveil his plan for “Heritage Tourism” for the Southern states. Given Perdue’s record for lying and the influence the anti-Heritage and anti-Southern Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce has on him, the brazen hypocrisy runs off the scale. From the layout of the place, we knew a standard infantry flagging would be less effective over a three day meeting. But a naval force could concentrate their fire on a few events, especially outdoor events. And we knew the venue could offer us a day or more of fun on the water....so the wheels started turning.

Russ Huffman and I made arrangements to borrow one pontoon and to rent another. Others made plans to bring watercraft to bear. Lijah Coleman, with the help of generous Southern Patriots raised the funds to bring in the Confederate Air Force for some close air support at ideal times (the outdoor dance scheduled for Sunday evening and the Jeff Foxworthy outdoor luncheon scheduled for Monday afternoon).

It occurred to us that all we had was one lousy photo from the Ritz website, so Russ, being the outdoorsman that he is, commenced working his GPS device, downloading maps and gathering other intel to determine the best points from which to launch the CSN armada, a docking base for breaks, passenger onload/offload and other details. The places that rented boats were all a significant distance from the target zone but we found a rental outfit that would deliver the boat to any marina we designated. They ended up arriving late with the rental, but that's a story I won't go into.

The remaining thing to know was how to navigate from the target to the tentative marina, especially IN THE DARK since our plan was to have a slideshow after dark. Since I knew I had to leave right at dark and others might, too, we found a foward base (Armor Bridge public boat ramp) within five minutes of the target where we could leave vehicles for those who had to depart early----that way we wouldn't have our watercraft out of action long during the "sweet time" we wanted to be visible. It is approximately four miles by water (20-30 minutes) from the marina to the target and that's too much, so we scouted the Forward Base. From the itenerary on the So-Gov's website, we knew they were having a "Dancin' In Dixie" dance from 7p--11p Sunday, and that was just too good to miss.

We decided to camp on the water Saturday night so that we could recon the area all around and not have to rush back...but in case of inclimate weather or high seas (it was unpredictable with Hurricane Katrina on the prowl) we secured an alternate safe harbor secret base for storage, sign prep, showers/toilet, and storm shelter. As it turned out the weather was great Saturday night and all day Sunday. Clear skies Saturday...high white puffy clouds on Sunday. We got a great look at Mars on the eastern horizon as it made its closest pass to Earth (during August).

Our recon team (SEAL Team One) was me, my two sons, Russ, his son Mike, and John Thigpen.

Also with the weather unpredictable, we knew the Gov's planners had an indoor alternative to the outdoor dance and we didn't want to give them ANY REASON WHATSOEVER to execute those alternate plans in advance (at least minimize the time they had to make changes). We REALLY wanted them to hold the outdoor dance on Sunday with our forces in their face and close air support from the CSAF. Accordingly, our recon efforts on Saturday were totally covert with no showing of the colors or signs. We didn't want to tip them off. You'll see in the pix album, our Saturday recon photos show no flags. We were just 'generic rednecks' on the lake.

In the late afternoon, we briefly plotted to place some SONNY LIED signs visible to a few strategic golf greens near the water...but then we figured they'd be gone by 8-9am (given the swarming staff they had on hand) and we did the risk/reward math. Besides, being the upstanding citizens we are, we didn't want to violate any trespassing laws and we plum forgot our golf clubs on this trip.

After observing the party and band on the outdoor lawn Saturday night (they sang a fairly decent Elvis and the revelers were pretty loud in front of the band...swarms of waiters were bringing food and drink out to the balcony tables), we moved to our secret base camp site.

Upon rising in the morning, we headed to get breakfast which was 10 minutes by land from the marina (another detail thankfully planned)... and we immediately noticed a greater DNR/State Patrol presence as we approached the Ritz on the way to the marina. We knew some of the Gov.'s guests were probably out on the water (because advance legwork revealed that the Reynolds Marina's boats were booked for the entire weekend)...while others played golf and shot skeet. We knew they had some boating outings planned including a big Governor's tour on Monday (which probably got rained out...boo hoo!). We later learned that South Carolina's gov had an outing booked...more on that later. Our original plan was to flag the golfers on the golf courses from the various inlets and coves right on the course (unleashing Rebel Yells during the backswing?).

We were heading past the Ritz when our first gas tank went empty and motor stopped----right dead center in front of the lawn & restaurant balcony (too perfectly to be a coincidence they figured). It took us a few seconds to figure out that tank #1 went dry. As Russ started climbing over the back rail to switch tanks, we heard the motor start up on one of the two DNR boats positioned by their pontoon dock on the Ritz lawn...and he moved out to check us out. Russ had the tank switched by the time the DNR man arrived. We exchanged pleasantries, then he asked, "Yall been fishing?" Russ replied, "Right now we're hunting some breakfast." He just looked us over then moved away when the engine restarted and we were on our way. "Be safe," he said. There were no signs or flags on the boat and none of us had any Dixie clothing on...but we didn't have any fishing gear. I don't think that episode told them anything, but it told us they were nervous and very watchful even at that early hour.

The trip involved a fair amount of adapting and improvising to adjust our plans as conditions and circumstances required. As I noted our original plan was to flag golfers Sunday morning, then return to the marina to rendevous with other flaggers, then get back to flagging. As it turned out the rental was late arriving, so we got a late start in the afternoon.

We got the CSS Muley fully loaded with signs and flags, we had to get the rental docked to equip it. After sorting out who was where on which boat, etc., we got underway with the CSS Punt Perdue and the CSS Muley. Special thanks to Billy Bearden for being the steady and most helpful hand and for piloting the CSS Punt Perdue following the CSS Muley to the forward base. Meanwhile, I lead the land-based flagger advance of four vehicles to the forward base Armor Bridge boat ramp deep inside the Reynolds Plantation complex. Again, this was all those who needed to leave by dark or before (Dan & Kitten Faulk, Richard Moore, John Thigpen and me with my boys) so that we could drop off these departing sailors without leaving the flagging target for more than ten minutes. Lijah and a few others waited at the Granite Shoals marina for the arrival of the CSS Coleman and the Swift Flagger jetskis.

The boat ramp entrance was not well marked, so I went past it on the first pass and observed that security was VERY tight near the Ritz Lodge. Infantry or cavalry could not have advanced within visual range by land. By the time we circled around and got to the boat ramp (paying the $3 parking fee)...the CSN assault force was already docked.

When I arrived at the docked craft, they reported that they received a major ovation and cheering from the swimmers at the big sand bar nearby. At the junction of two necks of the lake, there's a large sand bar marked with buoys....there were approximately 100 swimmers and 25 or thirty boats anchored there, they were standing in the water about four to five feet deep. They were all enthusiastic to see so many beautiful flags on display. (It was that way all day...most of the boaters we saw waved and took photos and cheered.)

A young man of 18 or so had followed the armada from the sand bar into dock to learn what was going on. We told him and he volunteered to join us for the assault. We knew we might be spotted at any moment by the patroling DNR boats, so we were anxious to get our first formation flagging done....we opted to go ahead with three craft and not wait on the CSS Coleman. Rod Waller volunteered to jump aboard the CSS Volunteer with flag. Our first approach in "V" formation was dazzling...it was so beautiful, you had to be there to appreciate it.

As we cruised in front of the Ritz lawn a lot started happening at once. Radio traffic on the scanner kept us entertained. There were some scattered claps and a few waves or thumbs up from the balcony and lawn. Mostly there were stunned gawkers with their mouths hanging open. There were a half dozen pacing around in a panic, crossing arms, hands on hips, showing panic/frustration in their body language. "Shock and Awe" doesn't do their expressions justice. A few security people on foot immediately advanced nearer the shore to show their presence. I think they were State Patrol; they looked a little more tense than the DNR guys in boats. Several boats came in from different directions, keeping their distance but leaving engines running, prepared to move in quick.

Our flying "V" formation made a complete turn in good shape, then broke down a little (what can you do with volunteers?). As we started our turn along comes another boat flying a '56 flag...it was the man and wife I met at the Marina earlier....I gave him a '56 flag and he agreed to fly it all day and go by the Ritz. It was perfect timing that he came by going the opposite direction with flag flying.

We made a few crazy eights and oval circles and we could not remove the grins from our faces, waving at the gawkers on the balcony, by the pool (many heads were popping up from the pool and elsewhere), and the uptight looking Ritz staff people were a riot. Then the CSS Volunteer's owner said he had to go, so Rod jumped back aboard the CSS Punt Perdue.

Right after the temp recruit left, we circled a few more times and then the CSS Coleman arrived escorted by the Swift Flaggers.

Eavesdropping on the scanner, we were cracking up as the DNR and State Patrol was trying to keep track of where all the CSN craft were at all times. They reported that "that other boat" (meaning the CSS Volunteer) was last seen going up so & so creek. They didn't know where the other lone volunteer with '56 was either...they feared they were being flanked or something. Note in the photos the image showing us docked at forward base with a DNR boat in the background observing our position. If we'd had a few more bass boats and few more jet skis, they would have had strokes trying to track us all. We know that one of their observers was instructed to "document" our boat registration numbers. I wonder if the rental owner will now get his own "flagger dossier" started. Hmmm.

After circling for an hour or so we took a break at the Forward Base to answer some nature's calls, stretch our legs and so forth. Compatriot Shedd had an urgent call to answer, so he grabs his emergency kit and heads into the woods. He found an "isolated" spot and had just gotten into position with pants down when out of nowhere comes Governor Perdue riding on a large four-seater golf cart with two or three State Patrolmen escorting in another.

PERDUE SAW A FULL MOON on Sunday afternoon despite the bright sunlight! Compatriot Shedd reported that he panicked (thinking imminent arrest for exposure), so he fell back flat on his naked backside in the brush to hide. He heard the State Patrolmen bust out laughing as they continued on down the golf cart path that Shedd had failed to notice before. As he told everyone the story on the dock, Joel Coleman asked, "So, what's that stuff on your back?" Of course, there was nothing there but everyone got a good laugh out of that adventure. I only wish I had camera in movie mode to capture it (him telling the story, NOT the actual event). I'm sure the next time he squats in the woods, he'll think about Perdue...and maybe even take an extra look around for golf cart paths.

UPDATE!!
Just before Perdue saw the full moon in the woods, he and his carts full of S.P. sidekicks were apparently scouting the boat ramp perhaps in preparation for the Gov's tour on Monday?? Anyway, several folks saw the two carts come cruising down the boat ramp parking lot to be stunned at the sight of our armada tied up at the dock. They reportedly came within 50 yards of us. Perdue's carts, after a second or two of being stunned, did a rapid U-turn in the parking lot and booked back to their golf cart path where they encountered Shedd in the woods. I missed it, but heard the buzz about it when Shedd returned to the dock with a report of his encounter.

We continued showing them the colors for an hour or so, then returning to Forward Base to drop off departing flaggers or whatever. Flag, break, flag....we got into a rhythm. With enough food, drink and gasoline, it would have been fun to flag 'em like that for a solid week. When we decided it was snack time, we tied the large boats together and made sandwiches, cut watermelon and canteloupe, got out the chips and softdrinks and had us a great picnic on the water in sight of the little Ritz nimrods and the smiling DNR guys.

About 6pm, we heard them on the scanner report that "the South Carolina governor has cancelled his boating outing for the day and he rescheduled it for 8am tomorrow." (Monday) Billy Bearden and I looked at each other and said at the same time, "Wonder why!!" Billy promptly dug into his haversack and pulled out the South Carolina state flag to display in place of the Virginia state flag. Billy also had the Missouri state flag and the Mississippi flags on display at various times during the day.

Shortly after 7pm, the Confederate Air Force came into view and we all let out a cheer. The DNR guys all got a chuckle out of that. As time passed we started stopping to chat with them, it was all real friendly. I think Dan Coleman aboard the Swift Flagger SF-1 was the only one to be hassled (for not having his vest fastened, making wakes in the No Wake zone, etc.) We heard on the scanner instructions to leave us alone but just keep a close eye on us.

A little after 7pm with CSAF laying down support, we noticed that there was no band and the large crowd was not there. WHAT A BUMMER!! But we took consolation that we made them change their plans and explain to guests WHY they were having the dance indoors when it was so beautiful outside. As you can see on their conference schedule, their "Dancin' In Dixie" event (for ALL in attendance) was to be on the Events Lawn 7-11pm. All the tents, table and dancefloor were there...but apparently, the band set up inside or they postponed it altogether. ??? Maybe they planned to wait us out?

We noticed several reporters (wearing what appeared to be press passes) standing down by the short shooting film of our armada and also on the banner plane. I have not yet found any footage or media coverage of our Ritz Blitz.

Sometime between 7:30 and 8pm, Russ gets a call from the owner of the CSS Muley. We had already arranged and promised to deliver his boat to the owner's home. Nope, plan change, he was coming to pick it up and would be at the Marina at 9pm. What could Russ say? "OK."

At 8pm (according to on-scene DNR), we had to turn on the boat lights, remove the towed tube from the water, tow the jet skis (which cannot legally operate after dark). We wanted and planned to run Lijah's slideshow, even though the intended audience may or may not be present later (they were already an hour late showing). But in addition to unfavorable water conditions (deep water, short anchor ropes, boat wakes from passing boats) making boat and projector and screen alignment challenging (to put it mildly), our best night-pilot had to return the borrowed boat and take his GPS navigator with him. I'm sure many were disappointed that the slideshow was aborted. I had already let it be known that I had to leave at 8:30pm to get sons home on a school night.

Thanks again to Billy Bearden for piloting the CSS Punt Perdue safely back to the Granite Shoals marina and delivering the boat to the rental man to load up and settling on the gas money to refuel the craft. It's a much longer four miles in the dark and old Scroggins was signed on the line to pay for any damages that might befall the boat.

Despite the outdoor Dance being moved or postponed and the aborted slideshow and all the other more minor things that didn't go according to plan, I think it was a successful and worthwhile and FUN flagging. Thanks to all who contributed to funding the rental boat and fuel costs. While all flaggings are fun, this one has to rank in the top ten. It's good to let the targets see us sweat sometimes----that shows our determination----but it's also good to sometimes let them see us HAVING FUN while spoiling their view (of the lake in this case)...and we watched THEM sweat and fret.

There's at least one more camera outstanding (maybe more), so I may be posting supplemental reports and more photos over the next few days. Thanks to Lijah for arranging the Air Force and to Dan & Joel for bringing their watercraft. I hope the Jeff Foxworthy strafing went as scheduled on Monday. ???

Special thanks go to Russ "Muley" Huffman for getting the planning rolling, for nudging me to help a little, for bringing enough food to feed the whole crew of both big boats, for working long after everyone else left the marina to load boats on trailers, unload boats and load up trucks....and dealing with assorted other hassles that I won't detail. There's a WHOLE LOT MORE that could have gone wrong without Russ' planning efforts. While not perfect, it was an unforgettable weekend for the Scroggins crew.

Perfect would have been catching the Governors out on their own pontoons and our force just flanking parallel to them for their whole tour...watching Perdue's face turn a bright red as we crank up the bull horns and recount the Liar's Lies for the benefit of his fellow governors. Fantasy? Probably so, but there's no doubt that Perdue's people will re-think their future lake planning....never knowing when the Confederate navy will reappear in force.

--Steve Scroggins