March

From: Shane Long [mailto:godchaser0407@yahoo.com]
Sent: Sunday, January 25, 2009

Dear Mr. Edgerton,

I am a 22 year old member of the SCV. My family is originally from Elizabethtown, NC. My grandparents moved to MD a long time ago for work. I hold strong pride in my southern heritage and was raised back and forth between the two locations. I understand you are a very busy man but I am hoping you will find the time to respond to a fellow southron.

I was wondering what became of your recent trip to Washington, DC. Had I been aware of the march, I most certainly would have planned to meet you and encourage you. As it was, I was up in Baltimore City at the Lee/Jackson ceremony for the colour guard. But this is not the main reason I am writing.

I have been blessed at this point in my life to have a little more time on my hands for adventures and endeavours. I have some income from music I write, and I am a private pilot working on my instrument rating, so I set my own schedule. I usually tend to ride my motorcycle, although after 1 1/2 years and 40,000 miles of that I did finally cave and purchase a cheap car for when the bike is being serviced. My point is, I would like to make as much time now while I can to do things I may not be able to do later.

Your work has taught me to have even greater pride in the brotherhood I share with my fellow southerners of all races. I was wondering if it would be beyond your scope of reason to permit my marching with you the next time you march. Regardless of distance, I want to go the whole way. I think it would be a great symbolic gesture to all southrons that we are ALL in this together, and perhaps encourage more folks to stay strong in their unity. I would not complain no matter how far or what the weather or conditions. If you do not think this would be possible for whatever reason, while I will be disappointed I will certainly continue to pray for you. However if you think this would be possible, I am at your service any time (save for May 14-19, when I ride a bike through TN, MS, LA and TX to raise money for an orphanage in Haiti) and would report equipped and ready to go. I do not require nor do I want any money or attention upon myself alone, only to bring to the public eye the unity shared. I'll even march with a tent if need be, as I am not sure how you arrange your sleeping accomodations.

Dear Sir, if this is at all possible I will be forever grateful for the opportunity; forever at your service and in your debt.

God bless our homeland,
J. Shane Long