From Diane in MD

From: southerncheer61@aim.com [mailto:southerncheer61@aim.com]
Sent: Thursday, November 13, 2008

Dear HK,

So much time has passed since the last we have seen each other!!! I still have a picture of you sitting on my desk at work from the fight at Gettysburg when they hung our flag. It has been to long since I have heard your words in person and miss your fire so much! Also so much has happened since then. Bryan and I have purchased a house in Grainger County, TN near where Stan Dalton lives and I have trasnferred to the Knoxville UDC chapter where my Grandmother was a member. Both Bryan and I are so excited. We love the fire in those Knoxville ladies. We we will not be able to move for 15 months. . .we are so ready though! We were so looking forward being home. I can not understand what has happened to our home land!

I am writing to let you know how very very uspet I am that I was not standing there with you at the Knoxville parade! We did try to get off to come down, but next year you best believe we will be there!!! Our spirits were and and you best believe so was my Grandpa's. He always attends that parade!

You also best believe that we will be doing everything that we can to make sure next year we are walking. For many many years my Grandpa would put on his WWI uniform (yes it still fit) and attended the Knoxville Veteran's Day Parade. In 1959 a photographer took a picture of him saluting as the flag went by. It was put on the AP wire and run all over the country. That picture was nominated for a Pulizter and they made a big fus over my Grandpa. In 1979 when we lost him it was APed again and again it ran all over the country. The American Legion is getting ready to run an article again about the 1959 parade and my Grandpa in their national publication. The American Legion can take GREAT free publicity from Grandpa, but they will not let his Granddaughter walk in their parade. There is just something really WRONG with that!

I want you to know that Bryan and I will be doing our best to assist in the cause of the Knoxville Veteran's Day Parade. Bryan's SCV camp in MD is also fired up after last night's meeting. They will take action. Bryan has already looked up the documentation from 1957 giving Conferate Veterans Veteran status. I will forward you a copy of Grandpa when I get to work. Let us know that if there is anything you need from us. You were our first thought Monday when we heard they had shut our ancestors out of the parade. We will be mailing you this weekend!

Most very important thank you for always being there!! I will never forget watching the raising of the Hunley with you and all the other times in between. BLESS YOU and know that many love you including Bryan and I!

Diane Wright-Green
7003 Knighthood Lane
Columbia, MD 21045
(410)381-1582