H.K. Edgerton (here) is a friend of mine .
Such a great guy . Fantastic walker too!
God bless HK. What a true southern gentleman.
He was here in Abbeville a couple of weeks ago for the "Old Abbeville Christmas" celebration. My parents brought my young niece down to see all of the town folks walking around the square in period clothing (hoop dresses for the ladies, and old fashioned suits with top hats or Confederate uniforms for the men.
The parade featured, guess who? That's right... H.K.! After the parade, he took an immediate liking to my family, and particularly my niece, Jennifer. He seemed intent upon teaching her the importance of her Southern Heritage, and spent a lot of time talking directly to her about the garbage she has been taught in school.
At one point, while standing on the square after the parade he held up a flag that had the Christian Cross of St. Andrew on half of it, and a picture of Obama with the word "Hope" on the other half. It was hilarious. H.K. has NO use for the "President Elect". In fact, he says that HIS last President was Jeff Davis.
Later in the afternoon, H.K. gave a great speech on the steps of the Burt-Stark House (where President Davis stayed once after leaving Richmond). In his speech, he stressed that the most discriminated against group of people in modern America are the white, Southern, Christian men. At one point, he called Jennifer up on the steps with him, stood with his arm around her and told his audience that it is our duty to see that "my babies, my precious Southern babies are taught the TRUTH!"
Something about the sight of this black gentleman wearing a battered Confederate Corporal's uniform, holding the Battle Flag in one hand and with the other around a young white child while claiming a common heritage with her... well, it was pretty special. I'll never forget it.
I'm really glad that I got the opportunity to meet and spend a little time with this fine gentleman. But more importantly, I'm thrilled that my young niece received THIS lesson in diversity that she will NEVER get in school. (She attends a private school, but even THEY cannot compete with H.K. when it comes to teaching history. LOL)
God Bless You And Keep You, H.K., wherever you are today. You are a CLASS ACT.