NATCHEZ &045; Musket fire stirred the early-morning air at Veteran’s Park Saturday, as about 100 members of the Sons of Confederate Veterans gathered to honor the 1,500 men from Natchez and Adams County who fought for the South in our nation’s Civil War.

&uot;It’s been way too long since we’ve had a memorial service for these men,&uot; Louisiana SCV chief of staff and Natchez native Robert W. Crook told onlookers dressed in period uniforms and hoop skirts.

But at least one Natchez resident and business owner was offended when the group later paraded past his business on Martin Luther King Street, waving Confederate flags from horseback and motorcycles.

&uot;I think it was a disgrace to the black community,&uot; said 56-year-old Don Gordon, who has operated a barbershop for 30 years at the corner of Martin Luther King and St. Catherine.

&uot;That flag is a symbol of the Old South.

I protested against that in the ’60s,&uot; he said.

Gordon said industries and young people are leaving Natchez because of the perception created by such events.

&uot;I’m not a trouble-maker, but that’s my point of view. I did not see but one American flag in that parade. The Civil War went on between the North and the South, but we’re all still Americans,&uot; Gordon said.

Crook said such criticism is unfounded.

&uot;There are some who abuse the intent of that flag on purpose &045; we don’t,&uot; Crook said.

&uot;None of us here are Neo-Nazis.&uot;

Crook said SCV members came to Natchez to remember their ancestors and celebrate their heritage.

&uot;We have just as much right to have this parade as the black community has to hold the Black History Parade,&uot; said Crook, adding that SCV members hope to make the event a yearly happening in Natchez.

&uot;These people will eat in the restaurants, stay in the hotels and shop while they are here,&uot; said Crook.

Speaking at the early park service, Natchez Mayor F.L. &uot;Hank&uot; Smith urged the group to do just that.

&uot;This is a great occasion. Anytime we have this many people come to town we appreciate it. We hope you have an opportunity to enjoy some of the things we have to offer here,&uot; he said.

Contacted at home later about Gordon’s concerns, Smith said he did not foresee anyone being offended by the SCV parade.

&uot;I assume you are going to have some people somewhere who will complain about anything.

I had some people tell me they were offended by the Mardi Gras parade,&uot; Smith said.

By the time the mid-morning parade rolled, another 200 SCV members had joined the group, including the grand marshal, country music singer Trace Adkins.

An Anglican minister from New Orleans who serves as chaplain for the Louisiana SCV led the parade, walking behind an SCV banner and color guard.

A column of gray-clad soldiers stopped on Main Street at the Eola Hotel and fired a volley from their long rifles, as mounted rider Robert McLaurin of Gautier portrayed General Robert E. Lee atop Traveler.