ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Monday, August 5, 1996 TAG: 9608050115
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-4 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: RICHMOND
SOURCE: Associated Press
Confederate flags carried by the descendants of Civil War soldiers and regiments of wool-clad re-enactors flew Sunday along the city's Monument Avenue, a street that honors the heroes of the Southern cause.
The procession of gray uniforms was led by a white-bearded man on a horse named ``Traveller.''
``These are just a bunch of folks who are proud of their heritage. We grew up on cornbread, black-eyed peas and turnip greens,'' said Robert C. Moates, a Chesterfield County gun shop owner who played the part of Gen. Robert E. Lee.
Organizers of the Sons of Confederate Veterans centennial parade said more than 2,000 people came to retrace the mile-long route followed at the organization's first meeting in 1896, from Battle Abbey to a statue of Lee.
Fife and drum corps played ``Oh, Susanna'' and ``Dixie'' to synchronize the steps of the re-enactors.
Participants were quick to defend the display of the flag.
``Racists have tried to adopt our flag. We're very active in condemning the Ku Klux Klan. If we want to end racism and intolerance, the key is education,'' said Greg Eanes, head of public affairs for the group's Virginia Division.
Ali Nasir was reading at home when he heard the cheering and went outside to see the marching troops. He followed them all the way to the Lee monument.
Nasir, who is black, said he keeps the honorable discharge papers of his great-great-grandfather, who fought on the Union side during the war.
Nasir owns a local restaurant and jazz club called the ``Underground Railroad.''
``The majority of the people out here are not racist,'' he said. ``They're mostly just here to celebrate the history.''
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