Confederate Flags Removed from Old Bayview Cemetery

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Richard Longoria

Story Created: May 2, 2008 at 6:53 PM CST

Story Updated: May 2, 2008 at 7:16 PM CST

(May 2, 2008, Corpus Christi) A followup to a story we broke last night. Complaints surrounding some confederate flags marking the gravesites at the historic Old Bayview Cemetery on the city's northside.

We learned today that city workers showed up to remove the flags. But not necessarily because of the complaints from nearby african-american residents.

City park and recreation department officials say the flags were removed this morning. Not because the african american community was offended by them.

But because the city claims, they found several of the flags were placed on grave sites, that were not confederate soldiers.

We at 3 News received a number of emails from the Sons of Confederate Veterans here in Corpus Christi, who placed the flags on the graves.

The organization tell 3 News, as members of the organization they want to preserve their southern heritage and history, just like any other group, and the flag is not a symbol of hate or slavery.

City officials either way, the flags were removed.

Friday, Oct 3 at 4:52 PM alfred buquor wrote ...

not surprised how low politically correct automatons have become.shame is not in their vocabulary

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Saturday, Jun 14 at 3:16 PM Ron Sandidge wrote ...

Your were offended because you are not educated on the subject. These are war veterans recognized by the US government. Just because there is no marker does not mean they were not veterans. Many US and Confederate veterans do not have markers. Shame on the city of Corpus Christi to bow down to some whining special interest and not give some simple respect to recognized veterans. Corpus Christi use to be a very nice city. Looks like Political Correctness has got its ungly gripe on the lovely town

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Thursday, May 8 at 10:12 AM Steven Horne wrote ...

Shame on Ms Sally Gavlik, and the State of Texas.

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Wednesday, May 7 at 5:55 PM Jim Marks wrote ...

This is a blatant desecration of graves, which is punishible by law. Prosecute the city!

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Monday, May 5 at 10:00 PM Ga. Division SCV wrote ...

Citizens- I urge you to email Ms. Sally Gavlik (the bureaucrat whose department caused the desecretion of these graves) and let her know your thoughts on her department's removing of the flags from these hero's graves. Her email address is sallyg@cctexas.com

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Monday, May 5 at 5:14 PM Tom McGowen wrote ...

May I recommend to everyone who feels that this is a travesty to join the SCV or UDC? It is only by being united that we will make a meaningful difference. These two organizations are leading the charge to protect the reputation and memory of our Confederate ancestors.

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Sunday, May 4 at 10:04 AM general_lee67 wrote ...

For those that don't know it April is Confederate History Month just like February is Black History Month. The African American community needs to suck it up and realize that those Confederate Soldiers are Veterans just like those of WWII, Vietnam, Korea, Desert Storm, Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. The flags need to be returned to the graves of the soldiers buried there!!!

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Saturday, May 3 at 9:49 PM Kelly Barrow wrote ...

I wonder if they would do the same if it was a US or Texas Flag?

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Saturday, May 3 at 3:21 PM Cathy Villarreal wrote ...

This is an outrage!! All of the stones that were marked with flags WERE Confederate veterans, but not all of them list their military service. These men fought hard in this horrible war and their service should be honored with the flag they fought under!!! It has nothing to do with discrimination. IT"S THE FLAG THEY FOUGHT UNDER. Get a clue, people!!

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Saturday, May 3 at 3:19 PM Don Moore wrote ...

Another example of political correctness being an excuse in an attempt to eliminate aspects of history that are misunderstood. These confederate soldiers deserve to have their battle flag flown at their graves.

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Saturday, May 3 at 12:37 PM Benjamin W. Morris wrote ...

It is appalling that the city removed the Cross of St. Andrew flag from the graves of Confederate veterans. These veterans are recognized by Congress as American veterans just as those that fought in WW2, Korea, Vietnam, etc. The city official stated that no one had sought permission to place the flags on these heroes graves. Had another civic group, VFW, American Legion, etc. placed the stars and stripes on the graves of other veterans without asking, would those flags have been removed??

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Saturday, May 3 at 11:17 AM History Buff wrote ...

The local SCV should have VA markers placed on these graves. These are provided free of charge by the governement which in 1958 recognized Confederate soldiers as having the same rights as any US servicemen. And those Confederate BATTLE flags should be replaced by the SCV - everyday if necessary until city workers get tired of removing them.

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Saturday, May 3 at 11:06 AM James H. Brocker wrote ...

While I am opposed to the thoughts of slavery in any form there were facts other than that which caused the Civil War. We as Southern people have no need to bow our heads in shame for supporting this flag. I am proud to be a descendate of Confederate soldiers knowing that they fought for what they believed in. Our Confderate flag is one of heritatge and does not belong in the hands of those who hate. As a published author, I think that those requesting the removal of the flags should be ashamed.

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Saturday, May 3 at 10:13 AM Terry Henson wrote ...

These people have nothing to be upset about. The Confederate flag is not a reminder of slavery. If they want a constant reminder of slavery all they have to do is look at the US flag. That is the flag which brought their ancestors to slavery in America. They should embrace and cherish their history but choose to be ashamed of it.

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Saturday, May 3 at 7:48 AM T Warren wrote ...

As an American Indian mixblood desendant of several CSA veterans, I am appalled at the removal of Confederate flags at Old Bayview Cemetery. Such an act is a travesty to all American veterans. I fear for our nation when the wishes of a select few who subscribe to "my way or the highway" mentality can desecrate the final resting place of an American veteran. The word shameful falls short in describing such an act. "Put them back" T Warren Bridgeport IL.

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Saturday, May 3 at 5:06 AM Valerie Protopapas wrote ...

I don't remember the First Amendment guarantees of freedom of speech and expression being subject to the sensitivities of special interests groups and I had no idea that people must now get "permission" from these groups and their allies to display symbols of their heritage. Indeed, if no such Constitutional revision has taken place, then complaints of "being offended" - a right which is NOT protected under the Constitution - MUST NOT interfere with the First Amendment rights of others.

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Saturday, May 3 at 3:52 AM James W. King wrote ...

The Confederate flag represents the same values and principles as the original U.S. Betsy Ross flag and Americas founding fathers. America was founded as a Constitutional Federal Republic composed of a Limited Federal Government and Sovereign States. Confederate soldiers fought to preserve that inheritance. The Confederate flag represents 1. Constitutional Limited Federal Government 2. States Rights 3.Resistance to Government Tyranny 4.Christian Values and Principles.

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Friday, May 2 at 10:23 PM Billy Bearden wrote ...

The city workers have just desecrated American Veteran's graves - a criminal offense in any jurisdiction. Hopefully the TV3 reporters will disclose the city worker's names, the Anti-Veteran city leaders who gave the order to desecrate the graves, and the District Atty of Corpus Christi will bring charges against them. Nothing is lower than a person who desecrates the grave of an American Veteran, except those who do it for politically correct pandering.

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Friday, May 2 at 8:53 PM Southern mixed bred wrote ...

what is the big deal? Who cares? It is part of their heritage. They have the right to show it just like the blacks have the right to everything else out there. Some people need to learn that life is not going to roll out the red carpet for them when they don't like something. Suck it up and deal with it. It is no big deal!!

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