Confederate memorial to be taken down soon at Arlington National Cemetery
Confederate Memorial to be Removed from Arlington National Cemetery
In an effort to eliminate symbols that honor the Confederacy from military-related sites, a Confederate memorial is set to be taken down from Arlington National Cemetery in northern Virginia, according to a cemetery official. Despite a recent demand from over 40 Republican congressmen urging the Pentagon to halt the dismantling and removal of the monument, the decision remains unchanged.
Safety measures, including the installation of safety fencing, have been implemented around the memorial. The removal process is expected to be completed by December 22, with utmost care taken to protect the surrounding landscape, graves, and headstones, as stated by the Arlington National Cemetery in an email.
Virginia Governor Disagrees with the Decision
Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin disagrees with the removal and intends 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 associated with the Confederacy.
The statue, unveiled in 1914, depicts a bronze woman adorned with olive leaves, standing atop a 32-foot pedestal. It was designed to represent the American South. The woman holds a laurel wreath, a plow stock, and a pruning hook, with a Biblical inscription at her feet that reads: ”They have beat their swords into plough-shares and their spears into pruning hooks,” as stated by Arlington National Cemetery.
Notably, the statue also includes depictions of a Black woman referred to as “Mammy,” holding the child of a white officer, as well as an enslaved man following his owner to war.
Over 40 House Republicans recently sent a letter to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, asserting that the commission exceeded its authority by recommending the removal of the monument. They argued that the memorial symbolizes 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 the surrounding graves, according to the cemetery.
Earlier this year, Fort Bragg changed its name to Fort Liberty as part of the Department of Defense’s initiative to rename military installations previously named after Confederate soldiers. This initiative was prompted by the 2020 George Floyd protests.
The North Carolina base, originally named after Confederate General Braxton Bragg, who owned slaves and suffered significant losses in key Civil War battles, came under scrutiny during the nationwide Black Lives Matter demonstrations following Floyd’s killing. The naming commission, established by Congress, visited various bases and engaged with local communities for input.
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Why do opponents of the removal argue that it erases history and undermines the importance of preserving and learning from past events
Ed with the Confederacy. The commission was established as part of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021, and its purpose was to assess and provide recommendations for renaming military installations and other assets that carry Confederate names.
The Confederate memorial in question, located within Arlington National Cemetery, has long been a subject of controversy and debate. Erected in 1914, it was dedicated to the memory of Confederate soldiers and has since served as a site for memorial events and ceremonies.
Supporters of the monument argue that it represents a historical legacy and an acknowledgement of the sacrifices made by Confederate soldiers during the American Civil War. However, opponents argue that Confederate symbols perpetuate racism and divisiveness and have no place in public spaces, particularly within military-related sites that are meant to unite and honor all Americans.
The decision to remove the memorial from Arlington National Cemetery comes as part of a larger effort to confront and address the legacy of the Confederacy and its symbols. Many states and localities across the country have chosen to remove Confederate monuments and rename schools, streets, and other public spaces that commemorate Confederate figures.
Opponents of the removal argue that it erases history and undermines the importance of preserving and learning from past events. They claim that removing Confederate symbols would be akin to whitewashing history and ignoring the complexities of the Civil War era.
Proponents of the removal, on the other hand, believe that these symbols perpetuate a harmful and divisive ideology that glorifies slavery and racism. They argue that public spaces, particularly those connected to the military, should promote inclusion, unity, and equality, and that Confederate symbols are incompatible with these values.
The decision to remove the Confederate memorial from Arlington National Cemetery, despite the opposition from some Republican congressmen, reflects a growing recognition of the need to confront and reconcile with America’s history of racial injustice. It signifies a move towards a more inclusive and equitable future, where all Americans are valued and honored.
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