By DOTTY NIST
The first national flag of the Confederacy has been approved to fly on the flagpole next to the Confederate monument on the Walton County Courthouse grounds in DeFuniak Springs, to replace the Confederate battle flag that has been displayed on the pole since 1964.
The action was approved 4-0 on July 28 by the Walton County Board of County Commissioners (BCC) as a compromise, in response to a citizen request for the removal of the battle flag.
The monument dates back to shortly after the end of the Civil War and recognizes the sacrifice of Walton County soldiers killed in that war.
The commissioners’ decision came after an examination of various options and public comments from more than 40 members of the public, with commissioners being presented with petitions pro and con the flag removal, at the filled-to-overflowing meeting room.
The commissioners directed that as soon as they were able to have the new flag produced and ready for display, that it be put up in place of the current battle flag, which is to be retired to the Walton County Heritage Museum at that time.
The first national flag was used as the official flag of the Confederacy from 1861 to 1863.
Look for more discussion and other action at the July 28 meeting in next week’s Herald/Breeze.
