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The True Southern Son He was led to an encampment by the light of the dawn, A young man of valor, courageous and strong. He came to a stop before a particular tent and inquired of his guide what should be his intent. The Confederate soldier replied with a grin, "Present yourself proper to the officers within. This boy was no soldier, but his heart felt a stir, as he entered there saying, "Michael D. Westerman, reporting as ordered, SIR!" From behind a small desk came a kindly reply "At ease and be seated." followed by a soft sigh. "Son, have you any idea as to why you are here?" "Sir," he replied "I'm afraid its not clear." 'I will agree with you there." The man shook his head "Little is clear on a battle field of red." "Are you aware of to whom you now speak?" One lonely tear slipped down Westerman's cheek. 'It is my pleasure, should I believe what I see, to be addressing the great General, Robert E. Lee." "That pleasure is mine, though I regret I must say, the circumstance deplorable in every way. Permit me a moment, if you would be so kind, to express a few thoughts which weigh on my mind. I am saddened to hear of the ignorance of your time, and that you were a victim of this plague of mankind. Things were quite a bit different in the world that I knew. Men died in defense of the rights they were due. You, I perceive as a casualty of war, that your ancestors had already fought and died for. But you are to be commended as one not afraid to be proud of your heritage, and not one who strayed." A few moments of silence passed between the two, of mutual respect and affection, they both knew. Then out of the shadows, a figure emerged. To the edge of the lamplight, he stood on the verge. General Lee pushed his chair back, stood tall and erect. Michael did also without need for direct. "Mr. Westerman, it's my honor at this time to present, Mr. Jefferson Davis, the South's President." Michael stood proudly and respectfully mute, then presented Mr. Davis with a military salute. There he' stood gallantly as though so consigned, until Jefferson Davis replied in like kind. "At ease and be seated, I'm honored to see, a man of your caliber brought before me. The're is much to your credit, but I too must say, it saddens me to make your acquaintance this way. I am aware of your story, your past circumstance. Though I wonder if you could but tell me per chance, Has this legacy we left you, this Heritage1... our make, truly become one to despise, one of hate?" Michael took not a moment1 his words to prepare, but responded with honesty, emotion and care. "Sir, I am but one1 who is here now to speak, and cannot give you completely the answer you seek. There. were those who took history to new heights of misuse, who rearranged it to form some kind of excuse. A reason to be angered, to commit murderous rage, though they had no real reason in my day and age. No, you left us a legacy of honor and might To defend God and Country, our constitutional right. Nothing you ve done deserved response of this kind. It is no fault of yours. It is no fault of mine. Jefferson Davis and General Lee sat quietly at first, but after awhile, with tears in their eyes, they both managed to smile. Jefferson Davis spoke at long last, to this bright man from the future, now placed in its past. "It affords me great joy that you have come around, and shown that there is pride left in my small hometown. From that place of my birth, where I firstly hailed from... comes a valiant young man, a true Southern Son." The three left the tent and walked side by side. Each stood somewhat taller, a picture of pride. They left there together, to carry on what had begun. The President, the General, and the True Southern Son.  Back...
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