It May Be Too Late, or a new beginning

From: HK Edgerton [hk.edgerton@gmail.com]
Date: Tue, Jul 10, 2012
To: John Anderson [lostlake444@yahoo.com]

Dear John,

This morning I received a call from young Candice's stepfather. Candice is now in custody in the Latta County Detention Center for breaking into his home, and stealing money and guns from him. After listening to his diatribe about what Candice had stolen from him and his wife's home, possession of drugs, and contributing to the delinquency of minors, and that she had conned me and the few that had tried to help her. On and on he went about how she had crossed the line when she stole from him after all he had done for her, and furthermore that she needed to stay in jail, and that he was going to testify against her, and prosecute her to the full extent of the law.

At first I felt a great deal of disappointment in Candice because I felt that she had let so many down. And then I realized that it was her family, all of us who had let this baby girl down. All the terror that she had gone through for so long. She had cried for help so many times, and we all ignored it. And then I remembered that an old girl friend of mine who became the Chemical Dependency Director for the State of Minnesota had chosen that field of study because her brother had done the same kind of things. She would tell me that chemical dependency was a disease, and that society needed to help folks who found themselves in this gutter. And I was so proud that she would do just that for her brother and so many others who would go on and be productive and shining examples for many to follow.

I listen to Candice's father tell me how he had told the Commander of the Sons of Confederate Veterans of South Carolina to drop the lawsuit forged in her behalf and all of the South and our ancestors who can no longer speak for themselves from the grave. Never, I thought. Now more than ever is the time for us all to make a Stand for this baby. All of her misery has come because of her Stand, and clearly it should be a lesson to all of us, and the Judge that has to listen to it all. No other Southern baby should have to go through what I personally have watched this baby go through. I spent most of my own life savings trying to help her, and then I asked of my Southern family to step forward and help. I never knew just how bad it had become, and it got worst when I had no more to help with. And I knew years ago that all of this was working on her young mind, but I had no idea just how bad it had become.

I don't know what to do, but I shall not stop being this young baby girls friend and family. I remember too well the words of those who attacked her; "we shall make an example of Candice, and no other child that enters the doors of Latta High School shall ever defend that flag again". Please pray for Candice as she needs us now more than ever. I feel that the Sons, and her case against Latta is stronger now than ever before. And John, I thank you for all the support you have given to me over the years as I battle this demon who hates all things Southern. God bless you, and may he send his grace to our homeland, the Southland of America.

Your brother,

HK