I previously mentioned the fact that I have established a friendship with an eleven year old lad who attends the church where we attend. I had promised him I would take him to tour Alexander Stevens' estate located at Crawfordville, Ga. I saw him a few days later and asked him if he knew the name of the President and vice President of the Confederate States of American. His answer was "no".

I sent him a couple of links concerning the cabinet of the Confederates States and asked him to read the information. I met him with his family (his father is a Colonel on active duty) and asked him who were the Vice President of the Confederate States. His answer "I do not" I asked if he had read the web sites and the answer "I have not had time." My reply "When you know the names of the President and Vice President of the CSA and something important about their lives, we will go visit the Vice President's home and not until you complete the assignment, and there will be a quiz"

I was gratified with his fathers' instructions. "Luke you are to do as Mr. Herb asks." "You need to know that at one time there were two different governments."The United States and the Confederate States, and you need to learn about them." "Six hundred thousand casualties resulted from this conflict.".

No intention to "toot my own horn" , but I am scheduled to speak to about thirty members of our church youth group (middle school ages) for thirty minutes tomorrow evening. The purpose is to give my life experience and since I have spent about 15 years researching the Civil War I believe I can devote at least 1/2 of that time conveying to them how important this war was to our ancestors and the necessity for each of them to learn what their forefathers thought about the war.

Please say a prayer for me that I may convey a passion to them to study about the Civil War. I promise I will not complain that a public request for prayer does violate the "Constitutional separation of church and state.