Dec. 6, is the 118th anniversary of the death of a great American hero — Jefferson Davis.

The politically correct would have you forget the past … But history teaches us lessons and we should not forget them.

Caution, this is a family friendly story to be shared.

The Sons of Confederate Veterans have declared 2008, the “Year of Jefferson Davis.”

Remembrance events will include the re-opening of “Beauvoir” on Jefferson Davis’ 200th birthday — June 3, 2008.

This was Davis’ last home that was damaged by Hurricane Katrina. The Jefferson Davis Presidential Library and Museum will be rebuilt and re-open about two years after the house. Beauvoir is located on the beautiful Mississippi Gulf Coast. See more at: www.beauvoir.org

The New York Times reported the death of Jefferson Davis.

New Orleans, Dec. 8, 1889

“A careful tally of the visitors shows that about 40,000 persons, mostly women and children, viewed the remains today. This crowd included, in solemn and respectful attendance, all conditions of whites, blacks, ex-Confederates, ex-Federals, and even Indians and Chinamen.”

Davis’ Death was also the page 1 story in Dec. 1889, The Atlanta Journal and Constitution.

“The Great Chieftain passes over the river … and rests with Jackson under the shade of the trees. The hearts of a great and loving people, crushed by the death of a great leader. The hero of hard-fought fields in Mexico. The peerless Statesman in Federal Councils. Jefferson Davis is no more!!!”

Who was Jefferson Davis?

Jefferson Davis graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point, served valiantly during the War with Mexico, served as Secretary of War under President Franklin Pierce, served as United States Senator from Mississippi and was President of the Confederate States of America.

Jefferson Davis was a Christian father and husband. He and wife Varina were blessed with seven children who were Margaret, Jeff, Jr., Varina Anne, Bill, Joseph, Samuel and their adopted African-American son, Jim Limber.

During November 1889, Jefferson Davis left his home to attend to family business at Brierfield Plantation. On his way through New Orleans the weather turned colder and he was exposed to the rain and cold. He came down with a severe cold and bronchitis that was further complicated by malaria.

Milo Cooper, a former servant of the Davis family, traveled a great distance to be by Davis’ side. It has been written that when Copper entered Davis’ sick room in New Orleans, he fell on his knees in tears and prayed God would spare the life of Jefferson Davis and bless his family.

Varina was by her husband’s side when Jefferson Davis died at a friend’s home on the morning of Dec. 6, 1889.

All New Orleans’ newspapers led with praises and tributes that echoed throughout the South;

“Throughout the South there are lamentations and tears; in every country on the globe where there are lovers of liberty there is mourning; wherever there are men who admire heroic patriotism, dauntless resolution, fortitude, or intellectual power and supremacy, there is sincere sorrowing. The beloved of our land, the unfaltering upholder of constitutional liberty, the typical hero and sage, is no more; the fearless heart that beats with sympathy for all mankind is stilled forever, a great light is gone — Jefferson Davis is dead!”

The mortal body of Jefferson Davis lay in state at the City Hall of New Orleans from midnight on Dec. 6 to the 11, 1889.

The U.S. and Confederate flags hung from the walls.

It is written that two hundred thousand people lined the streets of New Orleans when the funeral procession carried Davis’ body to Metairie Cemetery for temporary burial.

On Dec. 13, 1889, the New York Times reported the Davis Funeral being the grandest ever seen in the South. The sermon at Metairie Cemetery was delivered by Bishop Thompson of Mississippi.

Bishop Gallaber delivered a brief sketch of Jefferson Davis’ life … and a church choir sang an old time favorite “Rock of Ages” to end the service.