It is my pleasure to know Tom Strain and to have witnessed his SCV efforts.
Tom's leadership and projects are matters of record which I can vouch for as
have others recently. Tom gets my full support for AOT Councilman and I
anticipate his many future years of successful SCV leadership.
Greg A. O'Neal, Chairman
SCV National Awards Committee
Compatriots-----it is my pleasure and an honor for me to support TOM STRAIN for AoT Councilman. Our organization needs young me like Tom to lead us in these challenging times. He has the talents, common sense, dedication and the experience to make our SCV grow. Grow is what we must do. We need the next generation to be joining us now so they can continue to enable us to honor the sacrifice of our ancestors and to represent the true history of the South. He will not embarrass us and he is a problem solver that will represent us honorably in the mainstream of society. Tom’s plan to make our group interesting and fun will help us to recruit new young members to our group. I have known Tom and his family for many years in the business world before we made a SCV connection. He is the man we need for this position.
Sincerely,
Fred Beshears
Camp Commander
Major Pickens Bird Camp #1327
Monticello, Fla
To whom it may concern:
I know Tom Strain to be a hard working and dedicated member of the Sons of Confederate Veterans. He consistently works to address issues and problems within the SCV. He often is able to "think out of the box" in finding solutions and ideas that benefit the SCV, and our efforts to preserve and promote our Confederate heritage. I believe Tom Strain would make an outstanding member of the General Executive Council.
In remembrance of our heritage,
Robert G. McLendon, Jr.
Life member, SCV
Commander, Camp 385, Troy, AL
Commander, Southest Alabama Brigade, Alabama Division
Chief of Staff, 1992-1994
Executive Councilman, Army of Tennessee, 1994-1996
Recipient, Robert E. Lee Gold Award, 1994
3 March 2008
From: Commander-in-Chief Christopher M. Sullivan
To: Whom it may concern
Compatriot Tom Strain of Athens, Alabama has been an outstanding
officer in the Sons of Confederate Veterans. A little over a year
ago, Tom agreed to serve as Deputy Chief of Staff, and in that
capacity has proven to be an able, consistent, and trustworthy
officer.
Compatriot Strain's commitment to the success of the Sons of
Confederate Veterans and his devotion to the preservation of the
truth of our Southern history are commendable. Tom has my personal
thanks and appreciation for his service not only to this
administration but also to the betterment of our Confederation
overall. If elected, he will be a credit to the SCV as a
representative to the General Executive Council.
I take great pleasure in endorsing Tom Strain for AOT Councilman. He is
a great friend to me and, more importantly, a great friend to the SCV. I
am very happy to see him taking an active role in the National SCV, and
feel it is a real enhancement to his efforts in the Alabama Division,
and vice-versa.
Tom is oriented toward progressive policies for our operations and for
our membership morale. I see his capable involvement as a great opportunity
for the Army and the entire Confederation.
God bless the South, and the men she has sired.
Robert Reames
NWC Brigade Commander
Candidate for Ala. Div. Commander
Alabama Division, SCV
Tom Strain possesses the common sense qualities we need in the Army of Tennessee. His leadership in the Alabama division and in the confederation has been a fine example of gentlemanly encouragement, plans outlining a business like approach, and the personality to put it together in a package the membership can buy in to.
My dealings at the division and national level of the Sons of Confederate Veterans give me some insight as to what type personalities are best at achieving our agenda. I can recommend no one more highly than Tom Strain.
Sincerely for the cause,
Joe Ringhoffer
Past Commander
Raphael Semmes Camp 11
Reunion Chairman 2007 General Reunion
I am pleased to see my friend, Tom Strain, running for AoT Councilman. I plan to vote for him.
Michael Bradley
Tennessee Division, Camp #155
It is a pleasure to offer my unqualified and enthusiastic endorsement of AOT Inspector and National Deputy Chief of Staff Thomas V. Strain, Jr. for the office of Army of Tennessee Councilman. Tom’s record of leadership in the Alabama Division is well known throughout the Confederation and his service in both Army and National positions leaves no doubt of his dedication and ability.
As a Life Member of both the Sons of Confederate Veterans and the Alabama Division Tom has made a profound statement of his intention to defend Southern heritage to his last breath and his numerous commendations in that course hold testimony to his performance toward that end.
The challenges that lie ahead for our beloved SCV will not be met by personal agenda or grandiose plan but rather by the ability of our leaders to work together realistically and to represent us, as the Army of Tennessee with honor and integrity, traits that exemplify the life and personality of Tom Strain!
Stephen Lee Ritchie, Cmdr.
2nd Corps, Army of Tennessee
A.J. Ringo Camp #1509
Tom Strain's contributions to the Cause of our Confederate Ancestors is immeasurable. In my years of knowing and working with him on various projects, It has been my experience that he is innovative, enthusiastic, hard working and strives for excellence in all that he does.
I sincerely hope that you will join me in casting your vote for Tom Strain as our next Army of Tennessee Councilman. We cannot make a better choice.
Deo Vindice,
Carl Jones
Lt. Commander
Fighting Joe Wheeler Camp 1372
Alabama Division, SCV
Compatriots,
Some may say I am biased endorsing my former Camp Commander for elected office. However, there are several reasons why I should make the endorsement. First and foremost, Tom Strain welcomed me into the Hobbs Camp and after being elected 1st Lt. Commander he allowed me to expand that position and he supported me throughout. Tom has become a good friend. He welcomed me into his home and my family and his are close. Tara and the girls mean a lot to me and my wife. Tom has shown good leadership skills through some building years at the Hobbs Camp. His "managerial style" allowed input into camp affairs from the officers and the camp membership. The Hobbs Camp doubled in size under his leadership. Under Tom's leadership the Hobbs Camp was the National and Division Camp of the Year last year. He will be the first to tell you that he did not do it alone. However, all leaders must accept the bad and deserve credit for the good.
The Hobbs Camp is better off from having Tom Strain as its Commander for four years and I am reaping the benefits as the new Commander. I support Tom Strain for AOT Councilman and hope that you will too.
Jimmy Hill
Commander
Captain Thomas H. Hobbs Camp 768
Athens, Alabama
Compatriots,
I was exceedingly pleased to hear that Tom Strain has announced his candidacy for AOT Councilman. To preface the comments to follow, let me say my profession requires the ability to size people up fairly quickly as to the measure of their character and resolve. Given that acquired ability, I can say without reservation that over the last few years of coming to know and work with Compatriot Strain, I believe he has the capacity to lead us in the crisis years I believe are ahead.
You may have had an opportunity to look at his platform and his position statement(s) as to how this organization needs to move into the future. As important as those are, let me say that far more important than the particulars of a given platform is that issue of character and resolve of which I remark above. Often in critical moments, rather than what one does, is that doing something, (even if it's wrong), is far more important than simply sitting and doing nothing. The Tom Strain I have come to know will not "just sit there". The fact that his platform is on target as well, is gravy.
Basil D. (Bazz) Childress
Chief of Staff
Kentucky Division
Army of Tennessee
Sons of Confederate Veterans
Today, Gentlemen, we have an enemy that is threatening our very own Southern Heritage and Culture. At the drop of a hat, we will be faced with the reality of losing our Southern Monuments, our Southern Holidays, and our entire Southern History.
Here in the Mist of all this chaos, a certain few compatriots that will stand and be recognized in the public eye and say enough is enough. We will not let them do that anymore. One of these Compatriots I feel will help this organization. His name is Thomas Strain Jr. In my opinion he would make a great choice for AOT Councilman and 1st Lt. Commander of the Alabama Division.
We need Leadership in our Organization both on the State and National level. Certain Men have the characteristics of leadership we need. Let us look to compatriots that have the same Characteristics, as Gen. Robert E. Lee. Robert E. Lee knew how to exercise authority in a manner which inspired and motivated those under his command. He set high standards, but was not arrogant. He encouraged, but he did not flatter. Their exceptional respect and affection for him was a measure of his leadership. Thomas Strain Jr. is one of these fine men. I have come to know Thomas Strain Jr. for more than 2to3 years. He cares for and will defend our beliefs and our Southern Culture. He has held many offices in his own camp and state and national levels. He has always been there with an answer to a question that I had. If he did not know the answer he would find the person that had the answer. He is straight headed, headstrong, and forward level minded. His knowledge of the War of Northern Aggression is great.
In my opinion we need men like Tom in our organization. Let do our part to put him in the offices on the State and National Levels so that he might lead like we know he can. Commander Strain has my support and I hope that you join me in voting for him for 1st Lt. Commander of the Alabama Division and AOT Councilman.
To the Service to the South
William Allan Koester
Aid –De Camp of the Alabama SCV Division
Adjutant of the Col. Holland M. Bell Camp#1997
It is my pleasure to endorse you for Councilman for the Army of Tennessee in the upcoming convention at Concord, North Carolina.
I have observed your service as Commander of the Camp at Athens, Alabama, as well as your service as a Brigade Commander, not to mention your active participation in positions at the National level.
Your service in these various capacities has been performed in a splendid manner, and your youthful status bodes well for the future of the Confederation.
For the Cause,
Leonard Wilson
Alabama Division Commander
February 25, 2008
To: Members of the Army of Tennessee
My Friends and Brothers,
Having been Past Commander of the Mississippi Division, and serving currently on the
Board of Directors of Beauvoir, I have personally been involved in, as well as witnessed the work of our organization outside the State of Mississippi. In that experience, I have observed those among us, those leaders in our organization through whose tireless efforts have represented us as a whole in a manner exemplifying the character and devotion to duty held so dear by our Confederate ancestors. There are some who have both noticeably and admirably risen to the many challenges we face.
Tom Strain is a candidate for Army of Tennessee Councilman, serving, or having served as Northeast Alabama Brigade Commander, Camp Commander, and as our National SCV Deputy Chief of Staff under Commander-in-Chief, Chris Sullivan.
I can think of no other member of the AOT more able, or capable of representing us at this level of leadership in our Army than Tom. He has tirelessly worked to promote the ideals of the SCV, and has presented our sacred cause honorably in the public realm at every opportunity and in all respects. His enthusiasm and his personal devotion in working to enhance and strengthen the Sons of Confederate Veterans both within and without are unparalleled, and he continues to be a dedicated supporter of our work here in Mississippi at Beauvoir.
We are truly blessed to have individuals like Tom, who are willing to sacrifice their time and the energy needed to carry out the difficult duties and responsibilities of leadership positions in our National organization. So I encourage each of you to consider supporting Tom Strain, my friend, and Brother, in his candidacy for Executive Councilman for our Army of Tennessee.
With kindest regards to each of you,
Ed Funchess
Past Mississippi Division Commander
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