Louisiana Society OCR Sponsor, Johanna Pate, was spokesperson for the Confederation of OCR Societies. She was asked to bring greetings at the Hunley Funeral service at the Battery. Johanna also placed the wreath sponsored by the Confederation of OCR Societies. We had the honor of sponsoring the wreath for Simpkins.

Greetings from the Order of Confederate Rose, Confederation of State Societies.

It is truly an honor beyond words for our organization to be part of such a momentous day. Lt. George Dixon and his crew stand in a long line of compatriots who were willing to die so that freedom could live, and that freedom lives through each and everyone of us today.

It is written that no man is truly dead unless he is forgotten. As you can see by the number of people here today and the number of people waiting for us at the cemetery that Lt. George Dixon, Arnold Becker, J. F. Carlson, Frank Collins, Compatriot Miller, Joseph Ridgaway, C. Simpkins and James A. Wicks are certainly not forgotten.

So as you go through life and you stop and think about this day and think about these men, the Order of Confederate Rose ask you to remember that in the book of John chapter 15 verse 13, Jesus said "Greater love hath no man than this that man lay down his life for a friend." Blessed be the reading of the word.

May God bless the crew of the H. L. Hunley and may they rest in eternal peace. Thank you.

The LA Division SCV has a site located at http://www.lascv.com/main.htm. It has a news page, a calendar page, a heritage violation page, and links to LA SCV Camps & MOSB Chapters. Be sure to visit their News page.