so why were the rebels against freedom to all African americans? Why did they want to continue slavery? what if I was an African American and became a slave to one of the confederate states and got very sick with a bad chicken flu and couldn't finish my work? Would I get fired? but wait! I can't get fired because I'm a slave, so would I get medical attention? would they send me back to Africa or just.R.I.P.? I'm serious. or what if I was living in Africa and I had a child, but then my child gets sold by the African government to the American government and became an african american slave. That would be sad. (I'm just thinking out loud guys) The confederate rebel flag is history, but why would you want to bring it back? That's the question many people ask!! is it to honor those who died for something they believed it was right? BINGO!! it was wrong, but the rebels thought it was right and they died for what they believed. The rebel flag stands to die for what you believe is right.

I guess I just don't get it. Are they vets of this war? No. I do not march in Veterans Day Parades for my relatives who have passed. Remember them and the wars they fought in? Yes, of course. March in a parade acting like something I am not? No.

It apprears that Legion Post #2 has more in common with the Nazi agenda than historic American freedom!!!

For the parade organizers to deny the Sons of Confederate Veterans participation in the Veterans Day Parade is inexcusable! How arrogant and pompous can this bunch of politically correct mis-guided infidels get? Public Law 85-425: Section 410 affords Confederate Veterans the same rights as any other veteran. It is this law which enables the Federal government to provide grave markers for Confederate grave sites at not charge when order through the Veterans Administration. The parade organizers should be forced to actually read American history which is something they obviously are not familiar with at this point in time. “Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools” (Romans 1:22).

YES!

It seems political correctness has finally entered into what was a noble organization known as the American Legion. What a shame and what a degrace. What is a real shame is that the American Legion was an organization that helped Veterans and was instrumental in helping pass a piece of legislation that was passed in 1958. This piece of legislation known as HR 538 and is recorded as US public law defines status of Confederate Veterans as American Veterans. As such, they receive the same benifits as any other American Veteran. The American Legion Post as well as the American Legion Division should appoligize to the Sons of Confederate Veterans.

This is insane!! Are we as American's going to continue to give up our rights that our ancestors -- the ones who fought in the Revolution! -- fought and died for?? As a Southerner who ancestors died in the FIRST War on Terrorism on our soil back in 1861, I find it incredible that people are still so ignorant of history where the Confederate Battle Flag is concerned. The only American flag that has EVER flown over a slave ship is not the Battle Flag, but the U.S. flag! WAKE UP PEOPLE!!

Yes they should be honoured as other veterans. These were some of the youngest boys and men to every fight for their rights, and most of America do not even know what it was about.

I hope the the wonderful people of the South keep up the struggle for the Confederate Veterans rights to be honored. Up here in "obama" land we're not able to bring our flags to some memoral services, but there is no support at all for our "misplaced" Southerners. We try to teach the people but it rather hopeless here. I do fly my flag on my house and haven't been told to take it down yet, but I suppose that day is coming.

It is such a shame that the Confederate Flag is so feared by some. Could it be that the history behind it is not taught the real truth? In the South they teach the truth of the war and the North they hid the truth of it . I was raised in the North but now live in the South and am a proud OCR Lady and am learning the truth. May the South always be able to fly the flag that covered our beloved ancestors to their graves. Shame on the Knoxville Parade organizers for trying to hide the facts that it did exist and those who faught and died are AMERICAN VETERANS same as those who fought from the north. If you do not like to see the Stars and Bars then go some where else to live as this is the South and we are Proud of our ancestors trying to protect our heritage. H.K. tells it the way it should be taught. Listen to him and learn .

As an ancestor to a CSA Veteran, I feel that there are many that oppose the Confederate Flag simply because they relate it to slavery. The flag to a Confederate Soldier is just like the military flags for our armed services now. Each branch believing in their flag and wanting to honor it by flying it. I have a Confederate Flag that flies, does that make me racist? The answer to that is NO. Does it mean I honor my ancestry? Yes. Will I ever give my flag and ancestry up? NO. That is like telling people from other countries that when you come to America you must forget about your Ancestry and beliefs. The Constitution was written to stop oppression from free rights. The right to speech, religion, arms, and life. To all those SCV and Sons of Confederate Soldiers/Veterans, I commend you on all you do to teach about the Civil War and to remember your ancestry.

Those people should read the Congressional Record of March 2, 1928, Joint Senate resolution No. 41 which states that it was NOT a civil war as it was not fought between parties of the same government. also, Public Law 85-425:Section 410 affords Confederate Veterans the same rights as any other veteran. It is this law which enables the Federal government to provide grave markers for Confederate grave sites.

Isham Harris said the following to encourage his state (our state) to secede from the Union: "It has, in the person of the President elect, asserted the equality of the black with the white race." I'm not sure the war was all about taxes. I'm not sure Lincoln knew what it was all about.

Well folks I think it's about time Americans take back the majority rules,idea that made America strong in the first place. I the sons of the confererecy want to march with the flag of the South then let the bleeding heart left wing nut bags snivel,This is the south we fought for the south,I like most southern folks are proud of the south standing up for the rights of the south(and I'm not talking slavery) I only wish after the left wing nuts took over the house senate and now the whitehouse wish we could succeed again,they are not my leaders,but a bunch of left wing nuts that are going to destroy America,with this new goverment taking over the minority is going to rule instead of the majority. So fly your southern flag and be proud of your history,and the guts it took to stand against tyrants,look what happened to the indians that fought for the south trail of tears.so tell the american legion this is the south fly the flag

Actually HOLL in KNOXVILLE, it is illegal for any German citizen to fly a Nazi flag, just as it is illegal for any parent to Home School their children there. Honest.

The SCV members were there for their ancestors that fought to protect their home and their land. The confederate soldiers were legelly recognized and were allowed to be a part of every facet of Life in the USA. The Confederate soldiers were only protecting their birthright, that is what an American soldiers do.

I have no purpose, directly or indirectly, to interfere with the institution of slavery in the States where it exists. I believe I have no lawful right to do so, and I have no inclination to do so. Abraham Lincoln, March 4, 1861, First Inaugural Address

I'm an American, but I'm also a Southern American with an honorable and noble heritage. Decendants of those valient Confederate soldiers have laid down their lives freely to protect this nation in every war ever fought. This action is a disgrace to the memory of every Southern soldier who bled and died for right and freedom.

The SCV should have been allowed to carry the Confederate Flag. I spent over 20 years in the military protecting the freedoms that we all enjoy today. Look at your childrens school books, see where they were printed. Mostly in the North. Today's politicans cater to the minorities and illegals, everything has to be said and done as to not offend them. I have spoken to many people from the North and most said they wished the South had won The Civil War. People of Americans are slowly looseing their feedoms everyday. Enjoy your freedoms while you can. Look at what America has elected for our next president. I am ashamed of the way America treats our PROUD VETERANS.

I feel that Legion Post 2 should apologize to the SCV. Did they really think the SCV would march without their Flags. Do the individual American Legion Posts decide what Flags appear in the parade, or is that written into their National Charter? It would be nice to learn that. In the MA schools, where I was educated, Confederates are nothing more than traitorous slave-beating scum that attacked the US and deserved everything that Sherman did, even more. The only cause of the War was Slavery, and nothing else. State's Rights was not a factor. If you read US history from the 1850s you will find out that Illinois had some of the most restrictive and racist laws against Blacks. The New England states ended Slavery, and called it Indentured Servitude. How many people actually know that the Underground Railroad did not end until it hit Canada? All this information is out there, you just have to open your eyes and read it before that gets banned too.

Yes i think the sons of the confederate veterans should be allowed to march on vetrans day and carry their flag. That is their right and it is vetrans day not just some vetrans but all. I think it would be nice on vetrans day for someone to march and carry a mia flag and a pow flag. All flags pertaining to the U.S should be honered after all it is our history and no one should be denied their rights.

I was the belle dressed in pink standing next to HK at the parade, holding my Confederate flag proudly. I was asked to join the SCV in the parade dressed in my belle attire complete with me hoop skirt. When I recieved word that we would not be marching, I had to spring into action. I proudly stood next to this great man holding my Confederate Battle flag along with my American flag complete with my dog Stonewall Jack in my bag. The reporter of this story was gravely wrong in the description that "not really noticed". We had such an overwhelming response by all kind of people from parade watchers to the parade marchers. Many waves, cheers, thumbs ups and salutes. The ONLY negitive response that this belle recieved was from Knox County Mayor Mike Ragsdale, who ignored my out stretched hand and my bright beeming smile, only to walk past me leaving my palm cold from the weather. I stood out there on behalf of my great x3 Uncle Liet. Robert Hynds who died in a battle in VA for that flag.

Yes, they should have been in the parade.

Reading the comments, I'm moved to point out that in the Civil War, two sides of this country disagreed with each other. The Confederacy seceded and went to war over various issues. I'm from the '60's generation, when we were waging a war over which two sides of our citizens disagreed. I know nobody'd appreciate it if I turned up at a Veterans' Day parade decked out in fringe, beads, and flowers and brandishing a "Make love, not war" sign. I'd be thrown out, and rightly so. As I see it, the same principle applies to people waving Confederate flags in such situations. Peace signs and Confederate flags at Veteran' Day parades only serve to resurrect hostilities that should be long dead. We all belong to one country which desperately needs to be united and has only one banner, Old Glory. Peace! Please?

Yes! The South is part of America also. My Confederate ancestors did not own slaves and were opposed to the institution of slavery. But they were also opposed to the Federal Government becoming all powerful instead of having limited and defined powers as intended by our Founding Fathers. They were also opposed to their homeland being invaded by a Northern Army. The great majority of Confederate soldiers were not slave holders and certainly did not go through four years of hell and fight valiantly against overwhelming odds just trying to help the rich boys to keep their slaves.

If I understand correctly, there was no question that they could march. The problem was that they wanted to carry the Confederate BATTLE FLAG. This was a day to celebrate The UNITED States of America, not the CONFEDERATE States of America. They could have marched with all other veterans if they had carried an American Flag like all other true American patriots.

Many blacks fought along with white Confederate soldiers in the Civil War. Yes, Kim, it was a Civil War, but it is part of our history nonetheless. And Tyrone in Clinton, you might want to enroll in an English class before you blog next time. Even redneck hillbillies know how to spell! You are giving the rest of us a bad name.

YES!!! The Sons of the Confederate should be allowed to show the colors of the Confederate. In my opinion there should only be (4) four flags flown in the United States of America that is The American , Confederate, Religious Flag and Each individual State Flag. GOD BLESS AMERICA!!! Wake up America the Civil War was fought for same thing the American Rev. was fought TAXES TAXES

Over 620 thousand people died fighting in the cw to give us our freedom and our land.And this is how we repay them.If you dont like the conferate flag why are you liveing in the south?

I fully agree with those that say that my SCV Camp should have marched in today's parade. Right now I am waiting with baited breath for the arrival of my four foot by four foot Battle Flag which will be proudly flown at my house daily. What a novel idea, telling us we can march without our Flags. They knew we would say NO. I notice during the parade a black man in uniform on the reviewing stand. He was identified by his nickname as "Airborne" having served during three conflicts with them. He is also a member of Legion Post 2!!! What are the chances he objected to the Confederate Flag being flown, and his comrades didn't want to offend him? So they decide to offend a whole group instead? And who decides that Only US Government Flags are allowed? Veterans Day is for ALL Veterans, not just those that Legion Post 2 agree with. And don't forget, Confederate Veterans ARE American Veterans, and as such, have every right to march in ANY parade. God Bless the CSA! Deo Vindice!

Yes they should honor all veterans, confederate and all. This is a part of our history also, as history has shown it was not about slavery that started the civil war. I agree with the gentleman on TV, Knoxville should be ashamed for excluding any veterans group, this is supposed to be America where you have the right to express your belifs, is it better to see the confederate flag or see on TV as was shown some time back people were flying the flag of Another Country on American soil, which would you prefer, at least the Confederate is a flag of this country, to most southerners it represents southern heritage, it is not a symbol of slavery, most people who have ancestors who participated in the Civil War. This Police State needs to go away. We have no right to lecture other countries on Democracy when we don't practice it at home.

the prade shoud have been cancelled if the conf. flag could not be wave after all they are vets. also. why could they not march come on everybody is the same an don't tell me it is racist because that is not truye in this day an time it has a lot to say who says it is racist that is -------- i have nothing aganist other people whay should it make a difference i voted for obama people should accept other people an go on with their lives an quit saying racist

I FEEL LIKE THE SONS OF THE CONFEDERATE WERE DONE AN INJUSTICE

The Sons of Confederate Veterans definitely should have been invited to march in the parade today. The men who served the Confederacy were Americans defending their homes and families from the northern invaders. The Confederate soldiers were honorable men and their decendants have served in every war since that time in which our country has fought. To deny them their right to honor their ancestors is to deny them their birthright as Americans. Many of the men who served the Confederacy had ancestors who fought during the American Revolution and the numerous Indian Wars! It is pathetic that some people are blind to the fact that these men were patriots! They truly need to study the facts of this war. The men of The South are still patriots and I am extremely proud of them! God Bless America and God Bless The South! Namuni Hale Young

I feel like this group of individuals were done an injustice by not being able to march in the parade. The individual over the parade are denying these individuals the right to freedom of expression. Their families fought for the very land that we are on today, for what. Not to be noticed by people in our on region. May be need to tell the Sons of the Confederate that we are sorry, and that next year we will let them march next year.

Knoxville should have shown the upmost respect to our "Ours Sons of Confederate". After all their or "our" forefathers fought for the freedom that we share! They too, fought in America that gave US the freedom that many of us take for granted.

I feel like these people should be able to express themselves.

There should never have been a question as to there being a problem with confederate vets at the parade.

weren't the seven Southern states against the expansion of slavery? They declared secession from the Union after Abraham Lincoln won the election. The seven Southern States secession was rejected by the U.S. administration regarding it as "rebellion". Then Confederate forces attacked a U.S station at fort sumter in South Carolina. The attack is known as the battle of fort sumter. The attack to the U.S. military installation is what started the american civil war. Bottom line, the rebels wanted to continue human slavery and 90% were african American.

God Bless H K Edgerton for standing up for truth and honor. Southerners were veterans just as were northerners. And shame on Knoxville for their narrow-minded bigotry! My ancestors fought and died for each other as well as their individual freedoms and liberties. Did you ever wonder why the south named their new country The Confederacy? They were agaisnst the federalization of the USA. Con - Federation. It was the intent of the founding fathers that each state be free and sovereign. The Confederacy was more of what the founding fathers envisioned. And yes, slavery was wrong and if you can ever look past the history revisionists rhetoric you will see that the only country that ended slavery with bloodshed was the USA! It was ended peacefully in every other country. Thus the applicable name applies. The War of Yankee Aggression.

the stars and bars are our heratage as much as our national flag, union troops of the north display their flag without as much a mention, uncle sam still draws from the sons of the confederate everytime he inactavites a reserve unit of the south and that will never change

the Conferderate Flag is part of the South, our History and our Heritage. It is a part America, you can't ignore it just because you don't like the fact that we fought against ourselves.History is History. Let's learn from it.

YES. IT'S ABSOLUTELY DEGRADING TO ALL WHO BELIEVE IN THE FOUNDATION OF THIS COUNTRY. "FREEDOM" THOSE VETRANS IN THE CIVIL WAR AND A LOT GAVE THE ULTIMATE PRICE HONORED THEIRSELVES AS WELL AS ALL AMERICANS. WHAT THE WAR WAS ABOUT IS TOTALLY IREVALANT. THEY WERE VETRANS.THOMAS "STONEWALL" JACKSON , ROBERT E LEE, JEB STUART, JUST TO NAME A FEW, NOW TELL ME ARE THOSE ASTOUNDING FIGURES IN AMERICAN HISTORY ARE NOT "AMERICAN VETRANS. I AM ASHAMED KNOXVILLE IS IN TENNESSEE AT THIS MOMENT.

I wonder if Germany has a veterans parade, I wonder if it has the Nazi flag in it, I am sure that there are some proud nazi's that had family members that fought. Their is no way the conferate flag should be in the parade, its the same thing!

I think the Sons of Confederate Veterans should have been allowed to march in the veterans parade.

A veteran is a veteran. We are losing the very rights ALL of our VETERANS have FOUGHT and DIED for!

The conferated flag was used in the war that us southerns fought against the yankee's and died so we all could have our freedom.And our land General Robert E Lee would turn over in his grave if he only knew that all the men died fighting and it wasnt considered a war.

The SCV should have been able to march in the parade without question AND with their flag. It sickens me that some would want to exclude, spin or rewrite history and deny the sacrifices that service men and women gave throughout our nation's journey for and to preserve freedom. This is not really about the SCV as much as it is about the (one version) of the Confederate flag. Some tie it to racism. I see it as a symbol of history and sacrifice along with all the other version of our flags American men and women have fought under. If you want to see it only from a perspective of segregation and racism, slavery was part of our history when we raised the first American flag with 13 stars on it. Would you call that a symbol of racism too? All veterans from all American wars should be recognized today. Not just those who are chosen by the "PC" society. To the gentleman who said that the definition of veterans to be honored should only date back to Armistice Day in 1917 - poor rationale.

I am so sick of American's not honoring all of our veterans. And of course the confederate veterans should march under the confederate flag. all veteran's past and present should be honored.

Its a sad day in our country when illegal immigrates are allowed to gather and protest in our Nations Capitol but civil war veterans are not allowed to be honored in a parade , no matter which side (North or South)they fought for..... I thought civil rights applied to everyone.

Yes they should be alloud to marsh and proudly show our confedrate flag...I would like to tell you ,in red neck hill billy english,how I really feal..... but it would not be alloud on this web site!!!!!

Absolutely!!! This is suppose to be a free country but we are losing more and more rights daily. I don't understand the reason behind this and one was not given on the news. Shame on you! to whoever is responsible for this. The citizens of Knoxville are not the ones who made this decision.

Veterans are veterans it doesn't matter which battle they fought in they still fought just the same. Where in the books does it say that the only way you can be a veteran is if you fought overseas or as a memeber of the northern army. Anyone who fought in defense of his or her neighbors and family members as a member of the military is a veteran. No question about it. The only question is how can people get on national television and babble on about the freedom we have in this country when people are not allowed to march in a veterans day parade because their ancestors fought in the civil war as opposed to Vietnam or one of the World Wars or even the later ones like Dessert Storm or Iraq.

I am an Army Officer who retired after 24 years in 1993. I am now a member of the Sons of Confederate Veterans and a Living Historian and Re-Enactor. My ancester was a Confederate Officer who spent the last year of the war as a POW in Ohio. In 1954 the President issued a decree that Veteran's Day was for all American Veterans including Confederate and in 1956 Congress formally approved the inclusion Confederate veterans. What the Post 2 of the American Legion was join the ranks of the Politically Correct in denying us the right to march with our flags. They knew we would not march without those battle banners under which our ancestors fought and died. It is time for true facts and history be presented in discussing our heritage. I did not serve 24 years in the Army to retire and find in this country organizations exercising prejudice against historical and heritage organizations. Post 2 needs re-education since their knowledge of true history is lacking. God Save the South!

Ironic isn't it, that the very thing the Confederate States Of America was fighting against manifest itself today! Censorship is alive and well in the USA! The CSA was the Country fighting for personal liberties in 1861! Lincoln destroyed the Constitution in the area of States Rights! Shame on Knoxville for this disgraceful action! God Bless you,H.K.!!!!! If I had not been at work today, I would have been at your side,my Friend! You are not only my friend,but my Brother!!!!!! God Bless the CSA!!!!!

i think that black man holding that rebal flag is a little confused. The civil war for the most part was to end slavery. He is black he would have been a slave. The flag is a sign of hate. Isn't displaying the rebal flag illegal?

Yes they should have been allowed to march in the parade with their flag. It is a part of history, grow up. God Bless Mr. Edgerton for being the one voice of reason in all this

How DARE them! They have NO place in a parade! How DARE them take away from the service that MY FATHER, and my two uncles that were POW's during WWII, made for this countery! The Civil War, was just that. A CIVIL WAR!!! A war waged so that SLAVES COULD BE KEPT??? My Father, and his brothers, ROLLED over in their graves, I'm sure at this. Even WORSE, that you would gave them the coverage that YOU DID! You should be ashamed of yourselves, and as of RIGHT NOW, I am turning the channel, NEVER to tune into you again!

Okay, after hearing that they would not be able to march with the Confederate flag... that brings up another point. You can try to hide and dismiss the Confederate flag all you want but the cold hard fact still remains that that flag and the history that goes along with it is part of our American history which has more significance than slavery. We as Americans should remember our history lest we repeat our mistakes.

I cannot believe the Sons of Confederates Veterans were not allowed to fly their flag and march. Did the not also fight and die for their country? The war was not about slavery.It was about a group of states who wished to freely leave a union they had freely joined. Remember the federal government did not free any slaves until long after the war had begun and then on slaves in southen states and not in nothern states.

Yes, by all means the Sons of Confederate Veterans should be allowed to participate in ALL Veterans Day Parades and celebrations. People try to make the Confederate Flag a symbol of hatred. It is not, it is a symbol of the Southern heritage, of hardworking men and women who fought for what they believed in the way all people have, past, present & future. They all contributed to the history of this UNITED States of America. Thank you H.K. Edgerton and all who stand up for our heritage. God Bless the United States of America AND The Southern States of this country. We are blessed to have been born Southern and we should be able to show the pride we have in this. No we do not show this as a sign of hatred or ill feelings to any persons. Please let our Confederate Veterans be allowed to carry our flag in parades.

The city of Knoxville and organizers of the Veteran's Day Parade should be ashamed of themselves. The Sons of Confederate Veterans have as much right to march in the parade as anyone. They were fighting for our country regardless of which side they were on. Loved ones were lost as they fought proudly for this country. They represent an important part of our American history and should not be disgraced and insulted in this manner. I pray they will be able to march in next years parade. The City of Knoxville would do well to publicly apologize.

The SCV should absolutely have been allowed to march in the Veteran's Day Parade. The CW is part of the history of this country and is part of the heritage of this country. Other ethnic groups are allowed to preserve and celebrate their heritage and the confederate flag and remembrance should receive the same respect.

Yes they should have a place in the parade All vets not just a few there a part of our American history. And that gentlemen on the news said it all we should be ashame

I vote yes they should be able to march In the parade they are just as much a part of our history as the rest!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mr. Edgerton was correct when he said "The city should be ashamed of itself." The confederate flag is as much an "American" Flag as our Nations flag. This whole flag thing is getting ridiculous! Everybody wants to tie the Confederate flag to Hate and Racism. The Confederate flag is a symbol of Heritage and honor for our families that died trying to protect it and their rights. I can't believe this happened today...just someone else chipping away at our freedoms.

Absolutely not! Would we allow a veteran flying a German or Japanese flag to march with the US veterans? No way. Well, the Confederates seceded from the U.S. and then went to war against it. They should have no right to show one of their flags anywhere within sight of a place where U.S. veterans are being honored. Not only is the Confederate flag a symbol of enmity against the U.S., but the vets who fly them weren't even alive to fight that war. Pack away your flags and get over it!

After spending over 20 years of my life defending the rights of every American I am deeply ashamed that "my brothers in arms" denied the rights of a few that were trying to show their respect to their ancestors. I believe they are owed an apology. What would have happened if a group wearing union uniforms had tried to march? We who wore the uniform of our country with pride were disgraced today by this act.

It is a sad day when our country decides to erase history. Believe it or not people, but the Civil War actually happened. It is a part of what we are today. I have ancestors on both sides of the war. Yes, I agree that the Confederate flag is an American flag and should be honored on Veteran's Day. Maybe some on you naysayers should read your history books. My Confederate flag is about history, not hate... If we had more actual education in this country then we would not be having these conversations. You have heard the saying, "can't fight a battle of wits with an unarmed man", well I just really don't like to discuss this issue with uninformed, uneducated people.

Another mistake made by people in charge. If this was intended as a "politically correct" decision, then we have lost still more ground in this on-going battle. The veterans who served in the Confederacy should be remembered just as any other soldier this nation has had. I agree with the gentleman who said that the person(s) who ruled against their (the SCV) participation in the Veterans Day Parade should be ashamed. As a matter of fact, it would be interesting for Channel 8 to find out from someone in charge just what the reasoning was and let everyone hear that try to be explained.

Yes they should be allowed to participate. The Civil War is a part of our American history and it is ridiculous to keep one side from participating in the parade. The civil war wasn't just about slavery though many would have you believe that. The truth is that most of our families couldn't even afford to own slaves. All whites were not rich plantation owners. It is a shame that most people are so ignorant about our history and are so afraid of offending someone that they make shameful decisions such as leaving these men out. I really don't know what will become of us. I am disgusted by this decision.

In response to R H Greene's comments... Confederates were just as American as the Union, just of a different opinion. If any of your relatives from that time in history were alive today, I'm betting either side would be ashamed of your suggestion that Confederates were not American.

Yes, they should be able to participate because we need to honor all veterans living or dead. Contrary to what our kids are taught the civil war was not over slavery.come on Knoxville are you afraid you may offend someone, well you offend me by not allowing them to participate.

The only people that usually have a problem with God, Guns, and The Confederacy are the ones that do not know their history or was not taught the truth!!!!

Absolutely! The American Civil War was a major contributor to the shaping of US History. Many men on both sides served with dignity and honer and to exclude this group from the Veterans Day parade. God Bless H K Edgerton for having the pride and courage to take a public stand on this issue.

it's an tragedy that the rights of our southern veterns have been trampled on . We must honor and thank all all veterns who have served our contry. No matter what region and time they were located. God bless all our veterns. Southerners, the confederate flag, all veterns.

ALL Soldiers are veterans, they should be allowed to participate in All events for VETERANS.

Confederate veterans should be honored on Veterans Day because they fought and died for their country too. They fought with pride for their beliefs and were American citizens who served when called by their leaders. The war ended in the 1860's so let it be over and honor all Americans.

If this Baptist Church was allowed to picket at Scott School why in God's name would a Confedrate Flag be banned when honoring veterans?

The confederate flag should be flown on veterns day it stands for heratige not hate mine flies everyday.

The SCV is a organization that celebrates what has made this country what it is. To leave out descendants of Americans who defended their soil against invasion is not right at all! What has this area become racists - bigots acting out against their fellow Americans who wish to honor their ancestors. Its Veterans Day for Gods sake and they deserve recognition and honor too!

I think they have earned the same rights as other veterans. They are part of american history!

No they should not.We all have someone in our familys who fought in wars.Parades should have real veterans not these phony wanna be's

god bless hk edgerton. i hope some day soon the truth does come to light about the cw. every americian has the right to study and embrace ther heritage. they say it is all about raceism but i find it hard to beleve that hk, or any of the sons of confederate vetrans, are anything other than what they stand for. we have a man of color in the whitehouse whats wrong with a well educated, well defined black man with a confederate flag tring to honor some of the bravest and most determend men ever to fight on americian soil. james

I think if you are going to have a parade have confederate veterans in all parade and a good display of those flags. If you don!t have them don!t have no parade. don!t made different in folks I have a pick-up truck and I am going to get me a flag and display it on my truck as I drive down highways

The Civil War is a huge part of our history and should not be excluded and to do so is nothing short of spitting on that history and those who fought ( on either ) for what they believed in and for giving theirs lives for that cause. Hopefully next year they will be allowed to join the parade.

It is a disgrace that the Sons of Confederate Veterans were not allowed to march in the parade. I had ancestors that fought on both sides of the Civil War and I am just as proud of the ones on the Confederate side as the Union side. They were all fighting for what they thought was right for their country and should be honored for doing so. I'm just a proud to be the grandson of someone who fought with the Confederacy as I am to be the grandson of someone who fought in the Union army. We should respect and honor them all!!!! Whoever made the decision to stop the Sons of the Confederate Veterans from marching in the parade owe them a public apology.

This is just the start of what southern white folks have to look forward to. Another Civil War is sure to happen in the future.

If something is called "Veteran's Day" then it should honor the veteran's of all wars. During the Civil War, there were people from this area on both sides, fighting for what they thought was right. All veteran's should be honored on Veteran's Day. Also, people need to realize that the Civil War wasn't just about slavery. And, if one looks back at the history, President Lincoln did not free all slaves. He only freed slaves in the states which had succeeded the union. He did not free the slaves in the Union states.

Absolutely!! We are honoring veterans on Veterans Day, not just certain ones, but all veterans. I am embarrassed and saddened that Knoxville made this shameful decision.

yes they should be able to march as much as the other thats a bunch of bull.

Why are people always complaining about anything having to do with the confederacy? It's part of history! There were many bad decisions made throughout history. Hopefully, we've learned from them. It's disrespectful and rude to exclude these men from being honored today. How dare they be excluded from the parade! What a disgrace for Knoxville and the South!

Because of the origin of the holiday, it would not be appropriate to reference the civil war. Veteran's Day was previously Armistice Day until it was renamed after World War II. The holiday was setup directly in reference to the end of WWI.

Yes, it shouldn't event be in quesion.

I am a KY member of the SCV. It disappoints and saddens me to see the Battle Flag of honorable American veterans and thus their service and sacrifice discriminated against by another veterans group in Tenn. of all places. Here in my community in western Ky., our SCV camp members were given a place of honor as color guard at a function honoring veterans on the 4th of July. We displayed the U.S. flag, Ky. flag AND the Confederate Battle Flag. The bigotry shown by the Legion in Knoxville is disturbing and disappointing. They have in essence smeared the memory of other American veterans fighting for their state and country!

I have already written once but I am so disturbed by this, not letting the Confederate Flag be represented in The Veteran's Parade. We honor past Presidents on Presidents Day and honestly there are some that are not worthy of that honor but we do it because it is part of history. What if in years someone decides not to honor Barrack Obama because he was the first Afro American President is that going to be okay? After all that Bill Clinton did, we still honor him. This is all a part of history. We the people need to learn to stand up for what is right. It was not right for there to be no honor shown them today!!!!!!!!!!!I honor these soldiers just as much as any other. This is a total shame!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Damn right! My 3x fought and saved the flag at Brandywine, my many ancestors fought and died in the WBTS,and I am a 100% service related disabled Vietnam veteran who is also 100% disgusted with this Marxist nation.

The Sons of Confederate Veterans are a large group of fine gentlemen who honor their ancestors by locating graves, setting headstones and flagpoles, helping to care for Bleak House, cleaning up cemeteries, and educating the public about the War Between the States. They are not racists and in fact take great pains to keep people who are out of the group and away from all SCV events, such as Decoration Day. My husband is very active in this group, and I am giving facts that can be verified. The "Confederate Flag" (one of many,actually) DOES NOT represent slavery or the support of or belief in it. It is legal under our Constitution to secede from the Union, and the ancestors of this group fought and died as bravely and painfully as any other veteran. They did not fight to preserve the institution of slavery, and the history that is ignored and obscured will bear this out, if people are open to learning the truth. Read the Corwin Amendment as a beginning. The truth will set us all free.

People that get offended over the Confederate flag need to relax. Its symbol is a part of the history of our state. Why would you deny these soldier's families a time to recognize and respect the ones that fought in a war that has shaped our country today? Not everyone toting the Confederate flag wants to restart the civil war. It's annoying when people want to pretend like the civil war era never happened. No one in modern times was there, so there shouldn't be any hard feelings left. Let them celebrate with the other veterans. They may not have been veterans for the winning side, but they were still Americans.

YES!! The confederate veterans should be honored. They were brave men fighting for their country whether some people liked it or not, as I might add is the case for most wars. The Vietnam Veterans were treated horribly when they came home. You don't pick and choose which veterans you want to honor. But then some people do.

Yes! They were fighting for the rights of Americans. No matter where they were from,North,South,East or West. It is still our country. It was still a war and it was in the USA. They are our veterans just the same and still Americans.

Veteran's Day is an American holiday, not a Confederate holiday. I have ancestors that served in both sides of the Civil War, but do not think veterans of the Confederacy should be included in Veteran's Day. In addition, only flags of the United States of America should be flown. I believe it is legal to fly a U.S. flag belonging to any period, from 1776 to 2008. We should use this day to honor only America and American veterans -- let's not turn this holiday into a day of dispute.

Yes! The Sons of Confederate Veterans want to honour their ancestors who served in ALL conflicts. Many SCV members are veterans themselves so to 'ban' them from the Veterans Day Parade is just terrible! ALL veterans should be honoured in this parade, not just the veterans from 'politically correct' or acceptable causes. LET THE SCV INTO THE PARADE IN 2009!!!!!!!!!!!

I think The Sons of The Confederate Veterans absolutely should have been allowed to participate. That is part of history and they are mostly certainly veterans. What a slap in the face of those veterans. They were good enough to fight but not good enough to be honored. How ridiculous!!!!

Yes they should have been allowed to march in the parade. They are a part of history and they are veterans. So I am very offended that they wasn't allowed to march. TN and Knoxville should have honored them also.

I do think they should have been allowed to be a part of the parade. The Confederate Vetrans are a part of our history, so is the flag. Perhaps a part of our past we would like to forget, but it is OUR HISTORY. No one can undo the past. Those men fought for our country and their beliefs just like the ones overseas today. God Bless America!!!

YES!! They are a veteran group honoring AMERICAN veterans of the War Between the States!!

I think jen said it well.

Did the Confederate soldiers fight in a war? Yes they did. So therefore, they are veterans. Why shouldnt they be allowed then? Just because people dont like our history, doesnt mean it didnt happen. Those soldiers, like every other, were fighting for their rights. Just like every other soldier that has fought or is fighting in any other war. Some people didnt agree with the world wars either, but ya cant erase history, no matter how hard you try. There will always be parents passing down the stories to their kids and grandkids. Like it or not, agree with it or nto, those soldiers were fighting for what THEY thought was right. They are veterans.