Well, it’s December, and as we all know, come December, everyone’s thoughts turn to…, GIFTS, of course! Well, not really, all our thoughts ought to turn, this time of year, to the birth of the savior without whom none of us would stand any chance at all, but we do spend a certain amount of time thinking about giving, this time of year, and the Kentucky Division in particular needs your help in that regard. I ask for your consideration.

As you may know, the SCV at both national and Division level has been engaged for some time in an effort to purchase the home of Confederate General Lloyd Tilghman, in Paducah. It has long been the “home” of the Tilghman Camp No. 1495 of the SCV. Now, there’s a chance that it can become the permanent “home” of the Kentucky Division. There is a strong likelihood that the SCV will be able to purchase the home next Spring. We already own the adjacent parking lot. In order to make the purchase, the Division needs to come up with about $8,000.00 for a down payment. We also need to demonstrate an ability to keep the operating costs within reason. In short, we need, as a Division, to collect several thousand dollars in the next couple of months.

The Tilghman Camp, itself, already has $4500.00. At the December meeting of the Col Alfred Johnston Camp, $1,000.00 was raised and donated to the fund. The Fort Heiman Camp donated all the receipts from its October Ghostwalk, and several members chipped in too, raising over $300.00. The A.J. May Camp held an auction at its Seccession Day dinner, and raised more than $213.00, which they’ve donated to the cause. This is the kind of “gift” I like to see at this or any time of year! Sincere thanks to the Camps that are already on board, and I hope others will be able to contribute, as well.

Fundraising is going to be somewhat of a challenge for a while. The IRS ban on raffles has hurt us, and it’s put a real crimp in our plans for raising money for the mega flagpoles we’ve been trying to put up. We’ll overcome it, of course, and we’ll get it all done. You’ve shown that, already. Let’s keep it up! By the way, any individual who wishes to contribute to the Tilghman House project can send a check to me, or directly to the Tilghman Camp. Just make sure to put “Tilghman House Purchase” on the memo line of the check so we’ll know to put it in that fund.

So: I wish you a Merry Christmas in every sense of that fine greeting. May the gift of salvation that Jesus gave each of us more than 2000 years ago remain always at the front of each of our minds and hearts. I wish you each a happy and prosperous New Year. And, I hope you donate some of that prosperity to the Tilghman House.