Sons of Confederate Veterans - Capt. James J. McAlester Camp #775

Photo Gallery

Photo by David Nix

David Nix reported at the April 2024 Camp meeting that the representative for Red Oak Cemetery had assured him that "CSA" would be added to the nameplates of Confederate veterans listed on the new Veterans Monument. Members decided to wait until the Monument was finished and then, IF "CSA" was actually engraved on the nameplates, THEN we would make a donation to the Cemetery. Nameplates are finished, and as promised, the photo above does display "Civil War - CSA" beneath each Confederate veteran's name.

Photo by Patrick Self

At our April 2024 Camp meeting, Chris Loyd gave an outstanding program on Nathan Bedford Forrest, focusing on his Southern character, his beliefs on government, and debunking two of the most falsely pushed narratives used to smear his reputation: the Fort Pillow incident and his involvement with the KKK. Thank you Chris!

Photos by Bently Couch

Mr. Clifton Taylor (left) was called forward to stand in front of attendees for formal induction into our Camp and the SCV by Commander Patrick Self at the April 2024 Camp meeting. We are pleased to have him join us and hope that he will be an active participant. Cliff was given his SCV membership certificate, decal, and membership card along with the book, "Understanding the War Between the States".

Photo by Patrick Self

CQ Bret Hinds gave an eye-opening program on "Irish in America during the War Between the States". Most, if not all, attendees were surprised to learn the extent of Irish participation. During the presentation, Bret presented Vic Fowler (who uses a walking stick as a result of numerous back surgeries) with a hand-made authentic shillelagh to be used as a walking stick and for self-defense. An excellent presentation, Bret!

Photo by Patrick Self

The new Camp 775 keyrings are in and looking sharp! These patriotic keyrings were generously donated to Camp 775 by Compatriot Billy Gates. Thank you Billy!

Photos by Patrick Self

(Top photo) Camp 775 Compatriot Chris Loyd gave a very interesting and educational presentation on the Battle of Nashville at our February 2024 Camp meeting. (Bottom photo) Following the meeting and dinner, Camp Chaplain/Quartermaster Bret Hinds (left), Lt. Commander Bently Couch (right), Compatriot Billy Gates (not shown) and photographer Commander Patrick Self braved the overcast, windy, 33° weather to retrieve the Christmas wreaths and placed Confederate flags on the graves of Confederate soldiers in two cemeteries. Job well done, gentlemen!

Photo by Patrick Self

It has become a Camp tradition that Lt. Commander Bently Couch gives the January program on the lives of Generals Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson. General Lee was born 19 January, 1807. General Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson was born 21 January, 1824. Each January, we celebrate the lives of these two great men with Bently's program and a meal including Confederate fellowship. God bless Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson.

Photos by Patrick Self and David Nix

(Top photo, L-R) Camp Chaplain/Quartermaster Bret Hinds and Compatriots David Nix and Chris Loyd manned the Education and Recruiting Station table and Confederate merchandise table fronted by the new attention-grabbing Camp banner at the January 6 Gun Show in McAlester as Generals Lee and Jackson supervise. Compatriot James Nevels (not pictured) was also helpful in manning the tables for several hours. (Bottom photo) Camp Chaplain/Quartermaster Bret Hinds explains a Confederate history exhibit complete with national and battle flags to some interested gun show attendees.

Photo by Patrick Self

An absolutely beautiful day was had as the November 2023 McAlester Camp meeting concluded with the placement of Christmas wreaths on Confederate veteran's graves in two McAlester cemeteries to recognize their honorable service.

Photos by David Nix

McAlester Camp 775 member David Nix (left) is assisted by his grandson Koda in the placement of a wreath and flags on second great uncle Benjamin Franklin Jones' grave. Private Jones served in the 1st Tennessee Cavalry CSA.

Photo by Allen Harrison

Proud grandfather and McAlester Camp 775 member Vic Fowler (center) is joined by his grandsons Baylor (left) and Brant (right) as they become the newest members of the Shawnee Camp 2207.

Photo by Patrick Self

Camp 775 members listen intently to retired Air Force Captain and Shawnee Camp member David Netterville speak about John Brown, exposing the real truth about Brown's character and showed him to be anything BUT a hero at the October 2023 Camp meeting.

Photos by David Nix (top) and Patrick Self (bottom)

The Gun Show crew from McAlester Camp 775 prepared and manned an Education and Recruiting Station table in addition to a Confederate merchandise table at the October 14 Gun Show in McAlester. The general consensus was that it was an overall success!

Photos by Patrick Self

(Top photo) Lt. Commander Bently Couch and attendees of the September 2023 McAlester Camp meeting listen to the program given by Allen Harrison (middle photo) who spoke on a deadly Confederate named John W. Hixon who (many times over) avenged the death of his two sons by Yankee soldiers. The highlight today was the selection of door prizes from the Ron Clark collection of Confederate memorabilia (bottom photo) for attendees to choose from when their number was called (with Mrs. Christine Clark's prior approval and support). Members voted unanimously to offer the remaining items for sale at the 2024 Oklahoma Division Annual Convention.

Photos by David Nix

Camp 775 members Bret Hinds and David Nix set up a top notch display at the Old Town Flea Market Saturday, 02 September 2023 in an effort to collect donations for the Perryville Monument.

Photos by Patrick Self

(Top photo) Lt. Commander Bently Couch provided the program at our August 2023 Camp meeting, giving us some little/unknown facts about the author of the Battle Hymn of the Republic. (Bottom photo) After the meeting, the attendees remained at the Indianola facility for fellowship and our meal provided by Compatriot Jeffery Gates, who had cooked a variety of meats and brought them to the meeting. All attendees agreed that it was a really great meal. We appreciate Jeffery for taking the time and putting forth the effort to brighten our day with an unexpected delicious meal. Thank you Jeffery!

Photos by Steve and Kathy Ward

(Top photo) At our July 2023 Camp meeting, Commander Patrick Self presents a Sons of Confederate Veterans Last Roll Resolution to Mrs. Christine Clark to pay tribute to her husband Compatriot Ronald H. Clark, who crossed over the river and rests under the shade of the trees on July 1, 2019. (Middle photo) Commander Patrick Self and Mrs. Clark display a 31st Texas Cavalry flag that was similar to the one used by Ron Clark's Confederate ancestor. The flag was sewn entirely by Mrs. Clark. (Bottom photo)Commander Patrick Self presents a Sons of Confederate Veterans Certificate of Appreciation to Mrs. Clark for her generous donation of her late husband's Confederate collectibles.

Photos by David Nix

Camp 775 member David Nix got to see a genuine General Lee Dodge Charger like the one driven by them Duke Boys of Hazzard County, Georgia at the Wilburton Car Show held June 24.

Photo by Bently Couch

Replacement Charter for Camp 775 on display at the June 2023 meeting. Commander Patrick Self had it professionally mounted and framed with its own floor easel for public display.

Photo by Thomas Howell

Camp 775 member Thomas Howell flagged the grave site of Brigadier General Edward Lloyd Thomas. Brigadier General Thomas served as Commander of the 35th Georgia Infantry. He fought in many major battles, including Seven Days Battle, Second Manassas, Sharpsburg, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Siege of Petersburg, and the Appomattox Campaign. Following the War, he returned to farming in Newton County, Georgia. In 1885, President Grover Cleveland appointed him as Special Agent of the Land Bureau in Kansas. Later he was appointed as Indian Agent of the Sac and Fox Tribe in Indian Territory. He passed away in McAlester, Indian Territory at the age of 72.

Photos by David Nix and Patrick Self

Members who could not attend the April 2023 meeting got to sign the new replacement Camp Charter at the May 2023 meeting. Clockwise from top left: Commander Patrick Self, Vic Fowler, Dan Houser, David Nix, James Nevels, Chris Loyd, Bret Hinds, Lt. Commander Bentley Couch, Gary Holly, Billy Gates, Thomas Howell, Jeffery Gates.

Photo by Patrick Self

The program for the May 2023 meeting was given by guest speaker Mr. Adam Lynn, Director of Honey Springs Battlefield, who gave an informative presentation on the battle and extended an invitation to visit the site.

Photo by Cracker Barrel waitress

Kathy and Steve Ward show their appreciation to Camp 775 members who generously donated for the purchase of Cracker Barrel gift cards as a Christmas gift.

Photo by Patrick Self

McAlester Camp 775 Compatriot David Nix went above and beyond expectations by single-handedly assembling the area at the 2023 Oklahoma Division Convention & Reunion for Trans-Mississippi patch sales to benefit our Perryville Battlefield Monument fund.

Photo by Patrick Self

Professor, author, and historian Steve Byas of Randall University was the keynote speaker at the 2023 Oklahoma Division Convention & Reunion, confirming our Southern ancestors had a legal right to secede from the Union.

Photos by Patrick Self

At our April 2023 Camp meeting, members got to sign a replacement charter for the camp (above), while a fine looking group of Southern patriots (below) listen intently to Lt. Commander Bently Couch pay tribute to Preston Brooks, a U.S. Senator from South Carolina, most notably remembered for "raisin' cane" on Senator Charles Sumner after Sumner had belittled South Carolina and a Brooks relative in a speech from the Senate floor.

Photo by Patrick Self

During the March 2023 meeting, Compatriot David Nix came forward unexpectedly and presented the Camp Commander with a beautiful framed painting of Confederate Cavalry riding thru the mist rising from a small creek with large pine trees in the background. Almost dead center in the cavalry unit is the flag bearer with the Confederate battle flag. Commander Self thanked David and Camp members for this beautiful painting and unexpected gesture.

Photo by Patrick Self

Following the February Camp meeting and noon meal, members Bret Hinds (left) and Billy Gates (right) along with Patrick Self and James Nevels (not pictured) reconvened at the Old Town and Oak Hill Cemeteries and braved a chilly wind to retrieve Christmas wreaths and place Confederate battle flags on Confederate soldier's graves.

Photos by Patrick Self

Lt. Commander Bently Couch (above) pays tribute to the honorable Confederate Generals behind him - General Robert E. Lee and General Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson at our January 2023 Camp meeting. A fine looking group of Southern patriots (below) listen intently to his truthful words.

Photo by Patrick Self

Surrounded by Confederate battle flags which flew against government tyranny and invasion, Lt. Commander Bently Couch provides a program on the Lost Cause during the December 2022 Camp meeting.

Photo by Patrick Self

Despite cold temps, the faithful men of Capt. James J. McAlester Camp 775 performed their traditional placement of Christmas wreaths on Confederate heroes' graves after their November 2022 Camp meeting.

Photo by Patrick Self

The Camp 775 family enjoyed manning an SCV recruiting and education table at the 2022 Red Dirt Treasure Festival in McAlester. This appearance was approved by Generals Lee and Jackson.

Photo by Patrick Self

When it's time to pick up litter from the Jeff-Lee Pool/Park area to Keep McAlester Beautiful, you can count on the men of Camp 775 to step up and get the job done!

Photo by David Nix

Commander Patrick Self (right) swears new member Chris Loyd into the SCV and Camp 775 during the induction ceremony at the August 2022 meeting.

Photo by Patrick Self

Lt. Commander Bently Couch reads aloud the Last Roll for our brother and Camp member Phillip Lambdin at our August 2022 meeting location in Indianola.

Photo by Susie Fowler

Faithful members of Camp 775 pose for a photo at our temporary meeting location in Indianola for our July 2022 meeting.

Photos by Patrick Self and David Nix

As we await the new ownership and renovation of our current meeting place, the June 2022 meeting was held at the beautiful Oak Hill Cemetery. Chaplain Bob Pattison opens the Camp meeting with an invocation and a bible quiz as Commander Patrick Self looks on (top); Thomas Howell reported on his visit to the Duncan Camp (middle); and even the cemetery ducks were interested in learning more about our Confederate heritage. (bottom) It's only natural!

Photo by Patrick Self

Proud members of Camp 775 gather at the Jeff-Lee Pool/Park area to pick up litter and Keep McAlester Beautiful after our April 2022 meeting.

Photo by Patrick Self

The April 2022 Camp meeting is off to a good start with a talk from Camp Chaplain Bob Pattison.

Photo by ???

SCV Camp 775 compatriot Thomas Howell visits the majestic Confederate Memorial Hall in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Photo by Patrick Self

Camp 775 members ready to retrieve the Christmas wreaths at Oak Hill Cemetery and replace them with a Confederate Battle Flag after the February 2022 meeting.

Photo by Patrick Self

Camp Chaplain Bob Pattison speaks to a group of good men (and women) at the start of the February 2022 meeting.

Photo by Patrick Self

Lt. Commander Bently Couch discusses the importance of Generals Lee and Jackson before the attendees partake in the annual Lee-Jackson Banquet during the January 2022 meeting.

Photo by Patrick Self

Despite a blustery forecast, Camp 775 had a good attendance at their January 2022 meeting.

Photo by Vic Fowler

A shotgun worthy of a Confederate American is shown above. Compatriot Vic Fowler had this custom artwork done on his shotgun and it is stunning.

Photo by Kathy Ward

Camp Lt. Commander Bently Couch enlightens the attendees of the November 2021 meeting with the origins of the first Thanksgiving.

Photo by Steve Ward

Camp Chaplain Bob Pattison (right) congratulates Jeffery Gates on becoming an SCV and Camp 775 member after his induction ceremony at the November 2021 Camp meeting.

Photo by ???

October 2021 attendees to the Camp 775 meeting met afterwards at the Jeff-Lee Pool/Park area to pick up litter as part of our commitment to keep McAlester beautiful.

Photo by ???

Group photo of the fine people who attended our October 2021 Camp meeting.

Photo by Kathy Ward

An overview of the Atoka Museum and Confederate Cemetery was presented to the August 2021 meeting attendees by Site Manager Ms. Gwen Walker.

Photo by Kathy Ward

Camp 775 members workin' in the hot hot sun at the Jeff-Lee Pool/Park area to pick up litter as part of our commitment to keep McAlester Beautiful after our July 2021 Camp meeting.

Photo by Kathy Ward

At the July 2021 Camp meeting, Rex Cash educates the attendees about the corrupt elections of 1864.

Photo by Kathy Ward

Camp Commander Patrick Self (left) presents membership certificates to new members Thomas Howell (center) and Billy Gates (right) during the July 2021 Camp meeting.

Left photo by Steve Ward

Lt. Commander Bently Couch (left) enlightens the attendees of the June 2021 Camp meeting in McAlester about Oklahoma Confederate veteran Daniel M. Hailey (right).

Photo by Steve Ward

At our May 2021 Camp meeting, Cherokee (NE) Brigade Commander Steve Sanders dispels many of the myths of slavery that most of us learned during our brainwashing as young’uns in government indoctrination centers (public schools).

Photo by Steve Ward

New member Jeremy Epperley (right) received his membership certificate and “Understanding the War Between the States” book for new members from McAlester Camp Commander Patrick Self after being inducted into the SCV and Camp 775 by Camp Chaplain Bob Pattison during our May 2021 meeting.

Photo by Kathy Ward

Clean-up crew doing their duty to keep the Jeff-Lee Park area clean after our April 2021 meeting.

Photo by Steve Ward

At the beginning of the April 2021 Camp meeting, McAlester Camp Commander Patrick Self (left) presented Camp Lt. Commander Bently Couch with a framed photo of Bently and his wife Jeanette at an SCV event in remembrance of Jeanette.

Photo by Kathy Ward

McAlester Camp 775 members pose for a photo with the glorious Confederate battle flag at the J.J. McAlester grave before placing the flags on Confederate heroes buried here in Oak Hill Cemetery after the March 2021 Camp meeting.

Photos by Steve Ward

At our March 2021 meeting, Quartermaster Bret Hinds gives his informative presentation on the Battle of Sabine Pass with an excellent diorama of the area.

Photo by Steve Ward

Commander Patrick Self (left) congratulates new member Doyle Burnell after his induction ceremony during the March 2021 meeting.

Photo by Kathy Ward

After the January 2021 meeting, members of Camp 775 enjoy a laugh before collecting wreaths at Oak Hill Cemetery as Adjutant Ward (far left) models his "Dixie Denims". Generals Lee and Jackson look on.

Photo by Patrick Self

Following our November 2020 meeting, Camp members and spouses gathered at Oak Hill Cemetery to honor the Confederate dead there with Confederate memorial Christmas wreaths.

Photo by Kathy Ward

SCV members and spouses gathered at the Jeff-Lee Pool/Park area to collect litter as part of our commitment to keep McAlester Beautiful after our October 2020 Camp meeting.

Photo by Steve Ward

Cherokee (NE) Brigade Commander Steve Sanders speaks on the importance of why The South was Right from the Kennedy book of the same name at our October 2020 Camp meeting.

Photo by Steve Ward

Compatriot Gary Holly (right) presents Camp Commander Patrick Self with an SCV Commander medal at the October 2020 Camp meeting.

Photo by Steve Ward

At the September 2020 Camp meeting, Compatriot and Chief of the Kusa Nunahi Tribal Band of Cherokee Indians James Skelton expertly gives his presentation on Stand Watie, Cherokee General of the Confederate States Army.

Photo by Vic Fowler

Compatriot Vic Fowler displays his beautifully customized 9mm handgun with a battle flag of the Confederacy, and "Robert E Lee" adorns the top of the slide.

Photo by Steve Ward

Shawnee Camp Commander Allen Harrison gave an informative presentation about freed slaves titled, "Sick From Freedom" at the August 2020 Camp meeting.

Photo by Kathy Ward

Short in number but long in effort, dedicated members Bret Hinds, Patrick Self and Steve Ward of Camp 775 pick up litter at the historic Jeff-Lee Pool/Park area as part of their "Adopt-A-Block" duties to Keep McAlester Beautiful.

Photo by Steve Ward

Division Commander James Orebaugh returned for our June 2020 meeting to present Part 2 of his excellent presentation on the Bill of Rights.

Photo by Steve Ward

After a two month hiatus due to the COVID-19 virus scare, Division Commander James Orebaugh gave a thought-provoking presentation on the Bill of Rights (Part 1) at our May 2020 meeting.

Photo by Steve Ward

Teresa Black Bradway, dressed in period attire, delighted us with her banjo playing and singing songs from the War to Prevent Southern Independence, including an extended version and alternate version of "Dixie Land".

Photo by Steve Ward

New compatriot Vic Fowler (center) was sworn in to Camp 775 by Camp Chaplain Bob Pattison (right) and overseen by Commander Patrick Self (left) during our February 2020 Camp meeting.

Photo by Steve Ward

Camp Chaplain Bob Pattison was presented with a special birthday cake and card from his wife Sue in celebration of his 73rd birthday during our February 2020 Camp meeting.

Photo by Patrick Self

Camp Chaplain Bob Pattison sports a snazzy new tie purchased from the Camp's collection of Confederate merchandise. Proceeds from the merchandise go toward the installation of the Indian Nation Turnpike mega-flag and flagpole.

Photo by Patrick Self

Camp 775 celebrates Lee-Jackson holiday at our January 2020 meeting as General Jackson inspects our Camp Commander Bently Couch before our Lee-Jackson Banquet. After Camp elections at this meeting, Commander Couch and Lt. Commander Patrick Self swapped offices. Congratulations to Commander Self and Lt. Commander Couch as they continue to lead our honorable Camp for another two years.

Photo by Kathy Ward

Compatriots of Camp 775 gather at the grave of Confederate veteran James J. McAlester in Oak Hill Cemetery after the November 2019 Camp meeting.

Photo by Steve Ward

Camp 775 Lt. Commander Patrick Self (right) presents an SCV membership certificate to James and Andrea Skelton who accept the certificate on behalf of their relative, John Wade.

Photo by Kathy Ward

Camp 775 members gather for a photo after spending time picking up litter from the area that was once used as picnic grounds for the McAlester UCV Jeff-Lee Camp No. 68.

Photo by Steve Ward

Past Div. Lt. Cmdr. Rex Cash explains the true history of the Pledge of Allegiance to those attending the October 2019 Camp 775 meeting.

Photos by Steve Ward

(top) Camp 775 Recruiting and Education Station is pictured during a lull at the Oct. 5 gun show in McAlester. The table was staffed by members David Nix (seated), Bret Hinds, Bob Pattison, and Steve Ward.
(bottom) At the gun show, we were shown another reason why Southeast Oklahoma is called “Little Dixie”!

Photo by Bently Couch

At the August 2019 Camp meeting, Oklahoma Division Commander Jim Orebaugh discusses the Confederate Records held at the National Archives in Washington D.C.

Photo by Kathy Ward

An excellent turnout of Camp 775 men for the Jeff-Lee Pool/Park litter clean-up after our July 2019 meeting. Commander Couch (far left) shows us the proper hat to wear when working in the Oklahoma sun. Ice cold bottled water provided by David Nix (2nd from right).

Photos by David Nix

Pictured above are (top) an iron clad yankee ship that was sunk by Confederate mines and raised 100 years later, and (bottom) a Confederate cannon on rebel line in Vicksburg, Mississippi from the July 4 vacation of Compatriot David Nix. David and his wife stayed at a mansion that was captured by the yankees and used as headquarters for Grant. It was hit by 41 cannon balls!

Photo by Steve Ward

Bret Hinds and David Dailey are sworn in as new members of the McAlester Camp 775 by Commander Bently Couch at our June 2019 Camp meeting.

Photo by Patrick Self

It was a bittersweet June 2019 meeting as our meeting venue, Western Sizzlin, was closing its doors due to a drop in business from the months of roadway construction that ran in front of the restaurant. Picture above is the owner, Marty House. He and his staff provided us with a comfortable meeting room, tasty food and great service for many meetings.

Photos by Steve Ward (1,2,4), Bob Eubanks (3)

For the May 2019 meeting, the Camp met at Chaplain Bob Pattison's residence instead of the usual meeting place.
(Top-1) Chaplain Pattison greets a new arrival.
(2) After a delicious pot luck lunch hosted by the wives and a short business meeting, the Camp waits for a local tornado and rainstorm to pass for the opportunity to shoot firearms.
(3) Compatriot David Nix fires his replica 1861 .44 caliber black powder handgun.
(4) Compatriot James Nevels holds what's left of a gallon water jug after he pierced it with a .50 caliber bullet.

Photos by Steve Ward (top), Lisa Bray (bottom)

(top) At the 30 March 2019 gun show in McAlester, Compatriot David Nix explains why our organization's existence is important to an attendee as Compatriot Patrick Self looks on.
(bottom, l-r) Compatriots Bob Pattison, Patrick Self, David Nix, and Steve Ward man the McAlester Camp SCV Education and Recruiting Station at the gun show in McAlester's SE Expo Building. Our station included an old Springfield Armory rifle dating back to 1827, a display of five Confederate flags, and an exhibit of Confederate service records from one of David Nix's Confederate ancestors (far right).

Photo by Steve Ward

Compatriot Dan Houser gave a compelling biography of the man that gave our Camp and host city its name, Capt. James Jackson McAlester, at our March 2019 Camp meeting.

Photo by Steve Ward

After being initiated into the organization at our March 2019 Camp meeting, Malachi Houser receives his SCV Membership Certificate and Card from Camp Commander Bently Couch.

Photos by ????

PFC James Nevels, Son of the South and future Camp 775 member, shown here in Đông Hà Vietnam August 1967 as part of the Marine Corps C Company, 9th Motor Transport Battalion with the truck assigned to him adorned with his home Arkansas State flag and Confederate Battle flag on the back of his truck.

Photos by Steve Ward

Commander Bently Couch presents some highlights of his 33 years with the SCV at the February 2019 Camp meeting, including various awards and reunion medals, the "War Between the Plates" (top left) and an all-weather Army of Northern Virginia flag he made out of duct tape. How's that for Southern ingenuity!

Photo by Bently Couch

This glorious gallery of Confederate flags with custom built handcrafted flag stand was provided by Compatriot David Nix for our February 2019 Camp meeting.

Photo by Steve Ward

Compatriot James Nevels (left) receives a Memorial Membership in honor of his brother Michael from Camp Commander Bently Couch during the February 2019 Camp meeting.

Photo by Steve Ward

New SCV member Jim B. Miller (left) is presented with his membership certificate after being inducted by Camp Commander Bently Couch during the February 2019 Camp meeting.

Photo from Tulsa World

We mourn the loss of our dear Friend of the SCV, Nona Lee Wood. On 4 February 2019 she was called to be with her Lord and Saviour. Nona was a regular attendee at our Camp meetings for several years, following in the footsteps of her cousin Joe Benson who was a member of our Camp. She will be missed by us all.

Photo by Steve Ward