SCV in PBS Documentry on Lincoln

SCV PROMINENTLY FEATURED IN MAJOR TV DOCUMENTARY

By J. A. Davis, Chairman,
SCV Public Relations and Media Committee

Elm Springs, Columbia, TN
3 February, 2009

After a full year of working with the PBS television network, producers and the host-writer, Henry Louis Gates, the Sons of Confederate Veterans announces its participation and inclusion in the premiere of a the two hour multi-million dollar production entitled "Looking For Lincoln" which will first air on PBS nationwide on Wednesday, February 11, 2009 at 9 PM Eastern Time. It will also be repeated in the days following the initial airing. Consult local listing for the airing times in your area.

Pre-play date showings to critics and select audiences indicate the production will likely be regarded as one of the top television shows of 2009 and a potential candidate for major awards.

Besides a sizeable segment on the SCV, the program features former Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush, Doris Kearns Goodwin and about a half dozen historians.

The SCV's participation went forward after careful consideration and scrutiny by the SCV PR & Media Committee, ultimately approved by Commander-in-Chief Chris Sullivan and continued by his successor, Commander-in-Chief Chuck McMicheal. A series of' understandings were reached with the producers, leading to "Looking for Lincoln" host, Henry Louis "Skip" Gates and a full production crew coming to the SCV Reunion at Concord, NC.in the summer of 2008.

Interviews were arranged with SCV members regarding Lincoln. These will appear on the program on February 11th. They include, from the PR & Media Committee, Jim Dean, of Georgia, Army of Northern Virginia Commander, Bragdon Bowling, of Virginia,
and former Chief- of- Staff, Don Shelton, of Kentucky.

Considerable time is spent showing the tribute paid at the Reuion to the Clyburn family, descendants of a black Confederate soldier from North Carolina. This includes a conversation with the Associate Archivist at the North Carolina State Archives.

The program was originally conceived to be part of the commemoration of Lincoln's 200th birthday. While that remained its main theme, the segments including the Sons of Confederate Veterans represent a major breakthrough in network television for the Sons of Confederate Veterans.

For those who would like an advance screening of the program on the internet, conduct a search for "Looking For Lincoln" on pbs.org . The program is divided into segments. The segment most centered on the SCV is titled "The Beginning of the Civil War".

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