Rep. Lynn Westmoreland

(R-Sharpsburg) took part in the Confederate Memorial Day events at the

Oak Hill Cemetery in Newnan last Saturday.

He did not

get home until 3:30 a.m. due to the final closing of the 2003 Legislative

session. At 10 a.m. he delivered his perspective on the failure of the

Confederate battle flag being placed on a ballot.

"We had

reached a compromise with those who did not want that flag placed on a

ballot. We patiently sat through six hours of listening to the thoughts

of those on the other side of the compromise. When it came our turn, however,

we were disappointed, to say the least.

"We can't

vote on our flag but we will still have our heritage and we will continue

to preserve that heritage. We are still ladies and gentlemen, and we still

have our character.

"As General

Robert E. Lee said, we have to go on."

He added that

when he mentioned to his peers in the Georgia House that he was speaking

at a Confederate service explaining the flag vote, they suggested that

he be sure not to stand in front of the cannon.

Sharpsburg

Sharpshooters, Sons of Confederate Veterans, Camp #1729, hosted the ceremony.

Camp commander George Piner welcomed nearly 100 guests to the event, complete

with a presentation of a wreath, an artillery salute, and the playing

of taps.