Arlington National Cemetery Confederate Memorial to be removed despite opposition from governor, lawmakers
Arlington National Cemetery Confederate Memorial to Be Removed Despite Opposition from Governor, Lawmakers
A Confederate memorial is set to be removed from Arlington National Cemetery in northern Virginia in the coming days, as part of the ongoing effort to eliminate symbols that commemorate the Confederacy from military-related facilities. This decision has sparked controversy, as it goes against the recent demand from over 40 Republican congressmen who urged the Pentagon to halt the dismantling and removal of the monument.
The removal process is already underway, with safety fencing installed around the memorial. The officials at Arlington National Cemetery anticipate completing the removal by December 22nd. Throughout the process, utmost care will be taken to protect the surrounding landscape, graves, and headstones.
Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin disagrees with the decision and plans to relocate the monument to the New Market Battlefield State Historical Park in the Shenandoah Valley, according to Youngkin’s spokeswoman Macaulay Porter.
In 2022, an independent commission recommended the removal of the memorial as part of its final report to Congress on renaming military bases and assets that honor the Confederacy.
The statue, unveiled in 1914, features a bronze woman standing on a 32-foot pedestal, symbolizing the American South. She holds a laurel wreath, a plow stock, and a pruning hook, with a Biblical inscription at her feet. The monument also includes depictions of a Black woman known as ”Mammy” holding the child of a white officer, as well as an enslaved man following his owner to war.
Despite the opposition, the decision to remove the memorial stands. Over 40 House Republicans wrote a letter to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, arguing that the commission exceeded its authority by recommending the removal. They claimed that the monument represents reconciliation and national unity rather than the Confederacy.
Preparations for the memorial’s removal and relocation have been completed, with the bronze elements set to be relocated while the granite base and foundation will remain in place to avoid disturbing surrounding graves.
Earlier this year, Fort Bragg changed its name to Fort Liberty, following the broader Department of Defense initiative to rename military installations named after Confederate soldiers. This initiative was prompted by the 2020 George Floyd protests and the ongoing efforts to remove Confederate monuments.
The decision to remove the Confederate memorial at Arlington National Cemetery is another significant step in the ongoing movement to address the legacy of the Confederacy and promote inclusivity and unity within military-related facilities.
The Western Journal has reviewed this Associated Press story and may have altered it prior to publication to ensure that it meets our editorial standards.
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What reasons do supporters of the memorial give for preserving it?
Lds a laurel wreath in one hand and a Confederate flag in the other. The memorial is dedicated to the Confederate soldiers buried at the cemetery, who fought in the American Civil War.
Opponents of the memorial argue that it is a symbol of racism and slavery, and that it has no place in a national cemetery. They believe that monuments like these perpetuate a glorified and romanticized version of the Confederacy, ignoring the history of oppression and inequality that it represented.
Supporters of the memorial, on the other hand, argue that it is an important historical artifact that should be preserved. They believe that removing the memorial erases a part of American history, and that it is important to remember and learn from the mistakes of the past.
The controversy surrounding Confederate memorials is not new. In recent years, there has been a growing movement to remove these symbols, fueled by the Black Lives Matter movement and renewed debates about systemic racism in the United States. Many Confederate memorials have been taken down or relocated to museums and historical sites.
The decision to remove the Confederate memorial at Arlington National Cemetery comes after a lengthy review process, involving input from historians, community members, and military officials. The independent commission tasked with renaming military bases and assets concluded that the memorial does not align with the values of the United States military and should be removed.
Despite the opposition from Governor Youngkin and Republican congressmen, the decision to remove the memorial reflects a broader shift in public opinion regarding Confederate symbols. As Americans grapple with their complex history, they are increasingly questioning the appropriateness of celebrating the Confederacy in public spaces.
The removal of the Confederate memorial at Arlington National Cemetery is a significant step towards creating a more inclusive and representative national identity. It signals a recognition that the symbols we choose to memorialize should reflect the values and aspirations of the American people.
As the monument is dismantled and removed, it is essential to engage in constructive conversations about the history it represents. This includes acknowledging the pain and suffering caused by slavery and racism, while also seeking to understand the motivations and experiences of those who fought for the Confederacy.
Ultimately, the removal of the Confederate memorial at Arlington National Cemetery is a small part of a larger effort to build a more just and equitable society. It is a reminder that symbols matter, and that we have a responsibility to critically examine the messages we choose to convey through public monuments and memorials. It is through these conversations and actions that we can begin to heal the wounds of our past and strive towards a more inclusive future.
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