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	I tried all in my power to avert this war. I saw it coming, for twelve years I worked night and day to prevent it, but I could not. The North was mad and blind; it would not let us govern ourselves, and so the war came, and now it must go on till the last man of this generation falls in his tracks, and his children seize the musket and fight our battle, unless you acknowledge our right to self government. We are not fighting for slavery. We are fighting for Independence, and that, or extermination. - President Jefferson Davis, CSA RE-DEDICATION OF JEFFERSON DAVIS MEMORIAL CHAIR By Faye Gaston
	The re-dedication of the Jefferson Davis Memorial Chair and his birthday commemoration was held on June 26, 2021, at 4:00 p.m. in the Confederate Memorial Circle of the Live Oak Cemetery in Selma, Alabama. Pat Godwin, President of the UDC Selma 53 chapter, gave the welcome. She announced the Selma chapter began today to resume the birthday commemorations for Jefferson Davis and would now continue to have the annual programs. She explained the circumstances of how the traditional programs had ceased. Rev. Robert Griffin from Millbrook (member of the SCV Tallassee camp) prayed the invocation and closing prayer. He said this was hallowed ground for this memorial service to a great man. He thanked God for the grace and mercy in getting the memorial chair back and we rejoice in being Southern. All gave the UDC salute to the Confederate flag. Pat Godwin introduced Linda Edwards, the UDC President General and Faye McWhorter, the UDC Alabama Division President, as they brought "greetings". Edwards told a little of her experiences in the recovery of the stolen Jefferson Davis chair, and that it was an honor to get to see it. McWhorter also said it was a privilege to see the memorial chair. Pat Godwin introduced the keynote speaker, Tyrone Crowley, member of the Prattville Dragoons SCV Camp, and re-enactor as Confederate President Jefferson Davis. He spoke about the latter years of Davis' life, in the 1880's when he visited Montgomery and other Southern cities with his daughter, Winnie. Winnie was born in 1864 and had the title of "Daughter of the Confederacy" when she made public appearances with him. Thousands would be cheering and applauding at stops that they made as they recognized him as a martyr who had sacrificed for the Southern people. The Montgomery Advertiser newspaper stated that over 30,000 were present at one celebration. He was referred to as the "highest type of Southern manhood". He visited Selma twice in the 1890's. Pat Godwin explained that the Davis Memorial chair was stolen in March 2021 by a group named "White Lies Matter", and there was world-wide publicity about the theft. The "ransom" was to have a banner displayed for 24 hours at the UDC building in Richmond on April 8, the date General Lee surrendered. The words on it were written by a convicted murderer of a State Trooper who escaped prison and had been in asylum out of the country. UDC President General Linda Edwards would not give in to the "ransom". Law enforcement found and arrested the criminals, and the memorial chair was located and returned to Live Oak Cemetery. Pat Godwin spoke the words for the re-dedication of the Jefferson Davis memorial chair as the cover was lifted in the unveiling by Cecil (Butch) Godwin, Jr. and Benjamin Austin who transported the chair back from New Orleans. Photos were made of them with the chair and cover. After the closing prayer, all sang "Dixie" led by Linda Haskell, member of the UDC Selma chapter. UDC Alabama Division President Faye McWhorter announced that the 2020-2022 fund-raising project to restore Jefferson Davis handkerchiefs had pictures of Davis and Confederate generals. Replica handkerchiefs were for sale for $20 each to finance the restoration. UDC President General Linda Edwards announced items for sale with funds going for the restoration of the UDC building in Richmond to supplement what insurance would not cover. Both ladies immediately had customers for their fund-raising projects. Several cameras took photos of all the program speakers posing with the memorial chair, re-enactor Tyrone Crowley sitting in the chair as President Davis, and others also posing with this historic treasured chair. THIS WAS THE "JEFFERSON FINIS DAVIS 213TH BIRTHDAY COMMEMORATION" -----TO BE CONTINUED ANNUALLY BY THE UDC SELMA 53 CHAPTER.