Fellow Compatriots of the Georgia Division,
Approximately a year and a half ago, I made a phone call to previous Division Commander Jack Bridwell to seek his counsel about running for division commander in 2008 because I had SCV members from across the state asking me to do so in order to restore the activism for our heritage that the Georgia division previously had under the leadership of Commander Bridwell. Jack encouraged me to do so and has since spoken in support of my running to many of you reading this message. After speaking to Jack and Al Medcalf, my own Camp commander, I made the decision to run for Division commander. My decision to do so was based upon the simple truth that, in the opinion of many of us in the Division, the leadership that is now running the Division has nearly destroyed all of the work that was accomplished by the Division under the leadership of Commander Bridwell; and Jack, at the time, expressed to me that he did not wish to run for re-election at the Division level.
Since announcing my candidacy for Division commander, I have received emails, phone calls, and letters from scores of you who have been campaigning on my behalf around the Division. Additionally, the SCV leadership from outside of the Division have expressed concern about the current leadership here in Georgia; and I have already been sent endorsement statements from such respected men within the SCV outside of Georgia as Past Commander-in-Chief Denne Sweeney (who worked to thwart a coup attempt by the same kind of grannies at the national level that has taken over here in Georgia), Clyde Wilson (Dean of the SCV's national Stephen D. Lee Institute), Donnie Kennedy (author of the national best-seller The South Was Right!)... as well as Pastor John Weaver (Past Chaplain-in-Chief of the SCV National organisation) from right here in Georgia.
As many of you know, Commander Jack Bridwell has been through many trying times in the past couple of years, especially very recently. Through the course of these recent events, Jack and I have had a number of phone calls to discuss those events, as well as the crisis of the Georgia Division. During these conversations, Jack has indicated to me that he feels a strong sense of responsibility to run for Division commander at this time. Since my greatest desire, too, is to see the Division restored and see those who are timid about activism for our Cause removed from leadership roles, I have told Commander Bridwell that I am willing to step aside from campaigning for Division commander if he is willing to be a candidate. He wishes to do so; and, as of this moment, I am officially rescinding my candidacy for Division commander and am whole-heartedly endorsing Jack Bridwell for Division Commander. I believe, with all sincerity, that this is in the best interest of both our Division and Brother Jack; and I have pledged to support him in any way that he wishes, to the best of my ability, when he is elected.
I wish to thank the many compatriots of the Division who have been supporting my campaign for Division commander to this point but trust that you will understand that my greatest desire is simply what is best for our Division.
I prayerfully hope that you, too, will join me in congratulating Commander Bridwell on his decision to come out of "retirement" and stand as a candidate to lead us once again as Ga Division commander!
For Georgia First,
Ray McBerry
Camp 1449; Thomaston, Ga
