The 56th Annual Convention of the Mississippi Division Children of the Confederacy met on Saturday, June 9, 2007 in the meeting rooms at the Vicksburg and Warren County Public Library in Vicksburg, Mississippi. The Business Meeting was called to order by the President, Callie Rodgers, at 9:45 AM. Following the invocation by Charles Fairchild, Division Chaplain, the Salute to the Christian Flag was led by Adrienne McCaskill, the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America was led by Cassidy Cline, the Salute to the State Flag of Mississippi was led by Richard Fairchild, and the Salute to the Confederate Flag was led by Kaley Anderson, and CofC Creed was recited in unison. "Dixie's Land" was sung by the assembly. The CofC Ritual was led by the Division President.
The Welcome to the Convention was given by William Elmer, member of host CofC Chapter Margaret Davis Hayes #520. Host UDC Chapter was Beauvoir #621. The Response to the Welcome was given by Quentin Fairchild. The Division President presented Mrs. Pauline Watkins, President Mississippi Division UDC. Mrs. Watkins extended greetings, and made a special presentation of the charter for the Mississippi Swamp Rangers #950, Greenville.
The Division President introduced Division Director, Mrs. Carol Hoszowksi. Mrs. Hoszowksi recognized Miss Margaret Murdock, Mrs. Rebecca Fairchild, Mrs. Hilda Wade, and Mrs. Alicia Bariola as Chapter Directors in attendance.
The Division President introduced guests. Division UDC officers were President Mrs. Watkins; Third Vice President, Mrs. Carol Hoszowksi; and Chaplain Mrs. Nell McNeil. Ex Presidents of the Mississippi Division CofC were Mrs. Ruth Taylor Murdock, Mrs. Helen Clower Elmer, Miss Margaret Murdock, Miss Samantha Cowart, and Mr. Quentin Fairchild. Ex Division Directors were Mrs. Hilda Wade, Mrs. Rebecca Fairchild and Mrs. Ruth Murdock. General CofC officers in attendance were Miss Callie Rodgers, Chaplain General, and Mr. Mitch Gilbert, Custodian General. Other special guests were Mrs. Mabel Clark, Ex-Mississippi Division President, UDC and current Chairman of General UDC Jefferson Davis Highway Committee, Mrs. Theresa Pittman, President South Carolina UDC, and Mrs. Wendy Gilbert, Corresponding Secretary, South Carolina UDC.
The Division President presented Anthony Bariola as Special Page to the Division Director and Faith Michelle Hodge convention Page.
Reports were given by the Presidents of the Chapters in attendance: Margaret Davis Hayes #520 of Gulfport by Callie Rodgers; Jefferson Davis #521 of Hattiesburg by Quentin Fairchild; and Mississippi Swamp Rangers #950 by Hannah Bariola.
The invitation to host for the 2008 Division Convention was extended by the Mississippi Swamp Rangers #950, Greenville.
Acting Second Vice President Charles Fairchild conducted the Catechism Quiz. The Junior Quiz was won by Hayes Miller and the Senior Quiz by Adrienne McCaskill.
The Division President made the announcement that the Bessie Hunt Dantzler Chapter #14 will fund hard copies of "The Mississippi Messenger" mailed in bulk two times per year to the chapter directors to be distributed to the members of their chapters for the 2008 year
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Following the Business Meeting, lunch was held in the library, and the group departed for a tour of the Vicksburg Military Park.
On Friday, June 8, pre-convention activities included a group "Ghost Tour" downtown Vicksburg. The Memorial Service was held at 8:30 AM, June 9, at Cedar Hill Cemetery, Soldier's Rest, with Charles Fairchild, Division Chaplain presiding. The memorial wreaths were placed at the Confederate Monument by Mississippi Division President, Callie Rodgers and Mitch Gilbert, Custodian General.
