John Bell Hood Color Guard

2008 Activities

Sons of Confederate Veterans
Galveston County Texas
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Jan 12, 2008

Battle of Galveston Ceremony at Galveston Cemetery

The color guard joined the  Edward Lea Camp of Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War   which laid wreaths at the monuments listing all killed in the Battle of Galveston.
picture jpg 83k Color guard participants:
L/R Don Shamburger sgt. major, Bill Heer rifle, Foster Spurlock colors Battle Flag, Richard Clifford colors Texas, Darrell Scott rifle
picture jpg 62k Honor Guard Briefing
They fired a three volley salute during the ceremony
picture jpg 114k Entrance of Colors and Honor Guard at ceremony opening
picture jpg 82k Lady Participants
Mar 16, 2008

Wreath Laying at Dick Dowling Statue

Ceremony at Dick Dowling Statue, Hermann Park, Houston, Texas,
Color Guard participants: Don Shamburger sgt major, Bill Heer colors Texas, Foster Spurlock colors Battle Flag, Richard Clifford colors Third National, Darrell Scott rifle

The ceremony was attended by many members of the Dick Dowling family. Speakers described the accomplishments of Dick Dowling and his men at the Battle of Sabine Pass. Dowling's company of 47 men took 300 prisoners and turned back an invasion force of 5000. Some of Dowling's business accomplishments were also related, including a saloon he named simply "The Bank". He also organized the fore runner of the Houston Fire Department. Part of the ceremony is called washing the statue. A shot of Irish whiskey is mixed with a gallon of distilled water. The mixture is then thrown on the statue. It is said Dowling can be seen to smile after the washing.

picture jpg 120k Speaker and spectators
picture jpg 92k Preparing to wash the statue
picture jpg 134k The Color Guard
picture jpg 138k A group picture after the ceremony

About Dick Dowling and the statue
June 7, 2008

2008 Reunion of the Texas Division Sons of Confederate Veterans


Victorian Hotel, Galveston, Texas

The Color Guard participated in three events that day
Memorial Service at the Magruder Monument in the Old Episcopal Cemetery
The Welcoming Ceremony
Banquet and Ball

Color Guard participants: Don Shamburger sgt major, Bill Heer, Foster Spurlock, Richard Clifford, Darrell Scott, Bart Tate.