The Sons of Confederate Veterans (SCV) unveiled a plaque Saturday morning at the Hillsborough County Confederate Veterans Memorial Park that honors black confederate soldiers.
- Sons of Confederate Veterans aim to honor all who fought for and under the battle flag
- Group also fighting to to keep Confederate flag on display
- Confederate Veterans Memorial Park also has plaques honoring Native American, Hispanic, and Jewish soldiers
"We have recognized the fact that many people made up the confederacy, all fighting for and under the battle flag," said David McCallister, commander of the local Sons of Confederate Veterans chapter.
H.K. Edgerton, a former NAACP branch president and advocate of Southern civil rights, was the key note speaker at the dedication. He also kicked off his "Southern Cross Revival March," where he will travel the state to speak about the importance of black soldiers in the Confederate Army.
"Far too many people don’t know about the honor and dignity we have earned in the South end of America," Edgerton said.
Edgerton and the Sons of Confederate Veterans are also fighting to keep the Confederate flag on display. They said it's a symbol of honor to those who fought under it, not a symbol of racism.
"A flag in itself cannot be racist of non racist in itself," said McCallister. "It means what that people who are flying it want it to mean and we want it here to mean honor to men who defended Florida, defended the South when they were called by the state in its defense."
The Hillsborough County Confederate Veterans Memorial Park also has plaques honoring Native American, Hispanic and Jewish soldiers.