Lesson #1- Lee and the Speeding Ticket
By David Chaltas, the Old General
January 15, 2005

I perform a soliloquy as General Robert E. Lee and was to perform in Knoxville at the Confederate Memorial Museum (Bleak House) for the Knoxville Chapter of the United Daughters of Confederacy. It was a beautiful morning so I decided to take the long way and have a leisurely drive through Virginia. The air was crisp but the sun made the day seem 10 degrees warmer. I stopped at a local gas station and purchased some gas. I decided to go ahead and put on my new coat. When I reentered my jeep I thought that I might as wear my hat and get into character by practicing my speech in full regalia. I found my tape of my friends Dixie Grey performing 'Dixie' and other period songs and I guess that I let my foot become heavy upon the gas pedal. I came over the top of a hill and I saw a Virginia State Trooper with his lights rotating going down the other lane. I wondered who was the unfortunate person he was chasing. When I looked in my rearview mirror, to my horror I saw him turn in the medium in my direction. I immediately pulled the reins on ole Traveller but it was too late. I pulled over and a very pleasant young state trooper steps up to my window and says, "Good morning sir, may I see your drivers license and registration." I reciprocated the greeting and noted the odd look on his face. I began to dig through my glove compartment and could not find my registration form. He politely stated that he would step back in his cruiser and if I found it to wave it at him. After nervously digging through a ton of useless paper, I found the item. Then it dawned on me that I must be quite an unique looking figure driving up and down the road in my uniform! I smiled to myself and wondered just what was this young man thinking. Momentarily he got out of his vehicle and had his citation book with him. My heart sank but I knew I was guilty. He came up to my window and looked at me and stated, "Sir you were speeding but I did not inform you of that when I first stopped you and I was writing a summons for you because you did not have a registration. But then I thought what would my fellow troopers, my Captain, my family as well as the state of Virginia think of me if I gave General Lee a ticket!" He bid me an affectionate farewell and off I went.

Is it not strange how a man that followed God's principles until his death on October 12, 1870 still is so revered today. It is said that one man can sometimes touch 7 generations but a few touch eternity. I think the character that Lee tried to immolate was Christ like and the people saw it shine through him. When you accept Christ you become a new creature. Lee said it and lived it best when he stated, "I am nothing but a poor sinner trusting in Christ alone for my salvation." And then he lived the life in which his Savior directed him to do. When you live a life of following the teaching of Christ people will remember. Honor, honesty, duty, virtue, chivalry all are words that Christ lived by and set the example for us to live up to. Great men of God are not born, they are created by seeking, knocking and asking for guidance. Then they lead by example. What will people say of you after your time on this earth has gone? Will they remember you as a Christian or will they even remember. Our southern heritage calls for us to be southern gentlemen but more importantly, our heritage beckons us to embrace the 'Book of books' as did our ancestors. There is a reason that we are known as the Bible belt..

...I remain your obedient servant,
East Kentucky Chaplain Chaltas/General R.E.Lee