Byron Newton honored by SCV Camp 2102

SCV Camp 2102 Commander Darryl Drake, left, presents the Compatriot of the Year Award to Byron Newton, Camp 2102 chaplain.

Byron Newton was named the Compatriot of the Year 2006 for the Sons of Confederate Veterans Camp 2102 at the annual Lee-Jackson Banquet of the Ogeechee Rifles, Camp 941 Monday, Jan. 22, at First Baptist Church in Statesboro.

"Mister Byron" serves the Buckhead-Fort Lawton Brigade as chaplain and has been a staunch supporter of all the camp's activities in its freshman year.

Presenting the certificate of appreciation and a VHS copy of "This Was Camp Lawton" to Mr. Newton was camp commander Darryl Drake. Also in attendance to honor Newton were Georgia Division, 5th Brigade Commander Michael Mull and Camp 2102 members, Steve Burke, Neil Dickey, Sonny Allen and Cadet Conley Drake.

At the gathering, Mrs. Donna Drake was honored by the Order of Robert E. Lee (OREL) for her contributions to Camp 2102 activities. That presentation was made by OREL executive director (Georgia) Donna Mull.

Cadet Conley was the winner of a 3'x5' 1956 "True Georgia" state flag, or as it's now known, the "War Memorial Flag."

Earlier, at the camp's regularly scheduled meeting, Commander Drake presented certificates of appreciation to Cindy Hendley for allowing the camp to use her facility this past year; Donna Lynn Drake, for her work on production of the camp's monthly newsletter, the "Picket Lines;" and to compatriot Steven Earl Burke for his service as Adjutant in 2006.

Camp 2102 meets the third Friday of the month at 7:30 p.m. at Cindy's Café on Cotton. The next meeting will be Feb. 16. Metter historian Hu Daughtry will present the program.

The public is invited.