Terry’s Texas Rangers Camp 1937
Sons of Confederate Veterans
Cleburne, Texas
A report of the accomplishments and activities during its its seventh year as a camp April 2007 – March 2008
On Saturday April 14, Brian Wakefield became camp gardener as he picked up the soil and the flowers donated by Lowe’s and Home Depot and took them to our Memorial to Camp Douglas POW’s at Cleburne Cemetery. He put the soil in and planted the flowers. We appreciate Brian who saw the need and took it upon himself to handle the project.
Jody Coleman, along with Robert McMinn, went to Oklahoma to pickup a cannon and a siege mortar that will be added to our artillery living history presentations and other activities.
On Friday April 20, Mike Smith and crew went to the Fort Worth Academy and presented an artillery and flag program to grades one through eight. Some 200+ students, parents and teachers were present. Also participating were M H Burt, Jody Coleman, Robert McMinn and Michael Percifield. We feel it is important to educate children at every opportunity and to present to them the true history of the South, the Confederacy and its flags.
On Saturday April 21, we participated in Springfest in Cleburne. Set up a living history camp with both cannons, the Gatling gun and the siege mortar, as well as having a HQ tent, and our display of war related items.
On Saturday April 28th, we Co-hosted a grave dedication service at Grange Hall Cemetery in Navarro County. We honored six of Jody Coleman’s ancestors as well as those of former Central Texas Brigade Commander and his wife, Norman and Dana Stubbs. Confederate ancestors were honored, talks were given, cannons and rifles fired, food served and memories made. Participating were Jody Coleman, Mike Smith, Robert McMinn and son Colton, M H Burt and Jerry Jetsel. Family members of the soldiers, in large numbers, attended.
Mike Smith gave a presentation on artillery to the Cleburne Rotary Club at their June meeting. He was very well received. Robert McMinn was there to help unload and load the cannon and other items needed for the program. Good job, Mike. Talk about his presentation was heard within the community. Nothing but praise was heard as several bragged about their newfound knowledge of cannons and artillery.
Having been invited, on July 4. 2007, Terry’s Texas Rangers participated in the Keene parade and July 4th program. Our cannon led the parade and received a large trophy as “Best Entry of the Parade”. Carolyn Smith drove the truck as Mike Smith manned the Gatling gun, and Jody Coleman stood in the truck with the Confederate flag flying. Jody’s cousin, Mr. Wilson, also rode in the back of the pickup. Riding the cannon trailer and carrying flags were M H Burt, Robert McMinn and son Colton, Jerry Jetsel, C A Irish, Mike Percifield and Michael Hatch. Kassidy Miller in period dress rode atop the Limber. Joining us was a uniformed Army, Air Force and Navy veteran. We then went to the park where we set up and at the called for time during the program, fired the cannon twice. A lot of folks expressed their appreciation for our participation. It was a good day. We later were notified that we would receive a donation of $100.
On July 7, 2007, Cleburne held its July 4 Parade. Having been invited, Terry’s Texas Rangers participated in the parade with our Cannon float. Participating were Mike and Carolyn Smith, M H Burt and Kassidy Miller, Robert McMinn, Jody Coleman, Jerry Jetsel, Michael Hatch and C A Irish. Once again we took first -place and won $100.
On July 21, members of our camp met at Balch Cemetery in Alvarado, and moved the headstones of two Confederate veterans from where they were to where they should have been. Scouts from troop 217 in Alvarado helped and a short ceremony was held. The cannon was fired and Mike Smith gave a history of the flags of the Confederacy, went through the cannon firing drill with the scouts and answered their questions. Members participating were Mike Smith, Jody Coleman, Melvin Burt, Mike Percifield and Otis Gorman. Paul Martin and Ben Hatch from the Robert E Lee camp were there to provide a rifle salute. This was another opportunity to help educate the youth of our area.
On September 1st the camp participated in the Dove Festival in Hamilton. Commander Burt and Lt. Commander McMinn represented the camp and manned a display.
A special meeting was held on September 29th at the Chisholm Café in Godley to honor Otis Gorman for his efforts in living up to Stephen D Lee’s Charge. Chad Weldon and Bill Fowler presented the awards. Otis was knighted by Bill Fowler into the Texas Order of St. George, the patron Saint of Cavalry and given the St. George medal. Commander Burt also presented him a camp certificate of appreciation for his years of cemetery work.
Participated in the Beaumont Ranch Reenactment weekend October 12-14. Provided a program on artillery for school days on the 12th. About 600 school children attended. Participating were Mike Smith, M H Burt, Jody Coleman and Robert McMinn.
Attended BBQ Cook off and Parade in Meridian on Oct 26-27. Took first place trophy in parade with our artillery entry. Set up camp and on Saturday fired the cannon on three occasions. Drew a bigger crowd each time we fired. Representing our camp was Commander M H Burt, Robert McMinn, Jody Coleman, Mike Smith and Gary Meador.
We were invited to and participated in Veteran’s Day program in Keene on Friday evening November 9. Fired the cannon. Manning the gun were Jody Coleman, Robert McMinn, M H Burt and Mike Smith. While we were not expecting it, we received a check for $100 from the Keene folks.
We were invited to and participated in Veteran’s Day program in Alvarado on Saturday morning November 10, at the cemetery to honor veterans and those on the “wall”. We fired twice for their program. Manning the gun were Jody Coleman, Michael Percifield, M H Burt and Mike Smith. Jerry Jetsel was there with coat and kepi in truck should he be needed for the crew. Again, we never ask for money, yet the cemetery committee sent us $100 for being a part of their program.
On December 1, we participated in Cleburne’s Candle walk. People pay to go see selected old historic homes and places most of the day and into the evening. We set up a living history camp with both cannons at Chisholm Trail Park and fired every hour on the hour all day and until 8 pm. The folks that came by and saw our camp and demonstration loved it. The Chisholm Trail group sent us $100 in appreciation for our work.
On the same day, December 1, at 10 AM, the refurbished Johnson County Courthouse was dedicated. Since there are two markers and a statue type monument on the Courthouse lawn honoring Confederates, as well as there being a room in the basement of the Courthouse where the original United Confederate Veterans Cleburne camp met, members of Terry’s Texas Rangers Sons of Confederate Veterans camp, dressed in uniform, and participated in the event.
Our camp received a donation of $100 from a lady from North Carolina that had an ancestor in a Johnson County cemetery. She had visited recently, and she asked who had taken such nice care of the headstone and put out the Confederate flag, and she was told that our camp was doing it. She sent the check with a nice note of appreciation.
The camp voted to make a $100 donation of our own to the Texas Historical Commission to go toward the granite marker to be placed at the site where Col. B F Terry was killed in Woodsonville, Kentucky. The marker will honor him and Terry’s Texas Rangers participation in the War of Northern Aggression. We received a “thank you” letter from the THC.
On December 19, Barsco, a supplier for EZ Mart Maintenance, employer of Jody Coleman and Jerry Jetsel, had a meal they furnished for all their buyers. They invited Jody to bring his cannon and set it up on display. He did and drew a lot of attention to the cannon and our camp. Jody stayed around for a while and answered questions. This was in Arlington. Thanks, Jody.
On March 7-9, 2008 we participated in the Beaumont Ranch reenactment and event. March 7 was school day and while the weather had been bad the schools turned out. Over 500 students and teachers came and were treated to an artillery display of our two cannons as well as a table of artifacts that Commander Burt manned. He was kept busy for hours talking to students, as were Mike Smith and Jody Coleman concerning the artillery. We set up a living history camp and participated in both reenactment battles. We sponsored a Pat Cleburne birthday celebration on Saturday evening and furnished a birthday cake and provided a display about General Pat.
On March 15 we were invited to set up a living history camp along with our two cannons and display tables at the Johnson County Mason’s BBQ cook-off at the Alvarado Old Settlers Campground, which we did. It was a big success. We set up a recruitment table and got four solid leads.
March 29, our camp participated in the Granbury parade honoring General H B Granbury. We had both our cannons on trailers and manned by folks with flags. Camp members and associate camp members participating were Commander M H Burt, Lt. Commander Jody Coleman, Lt. Commander Robert McMinn, and Adjutant Mike Smith with members Jerry Jetsel, Otis Gorman and Cadets Tanner Burt and Colton Parker (McMinn). Also riding and participating were associate members Kassidy Miller, Sandra Osborne, Megan Gorman, Carolyn Smith and Carl Irish. Driving were friends of the camp, and Sarah Coleman. We were well received by the crowds.
Held 12 monthly camp meetings and provided a speaker for each. Gave a door prize at each meeting.
Prepared and provided a newsletter each month to each camp member and associate as well as interested others.
Maintained a pictorial camp history and have since the camps inception.
Maintain a camp library at Robert McMinn’s place of business, Vacuum’s West. Members and others are welcome to drop by and look at our camp history pictures, look through the books and check out a book if desired.
Recommended letters be written for specific heritage violations.
Recommended donations be made to specific battlefield preservation efforts.
Prepared by Jerry Jetsel, historian & past commander