Posted on Jun 22, 2015
SGM Matthew Quick
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What do these US military bases have in common?

Fort Bragg
Fort Rucker
Fort Hood
Fort Lee
Fort Benning
Fort Gordon
Fort A.P. Hill
Fort Polk
Fort Pickett
Camp Beauregard (Operated by the Louisiana National Guard)

They are all named for Confederate generals. There’s been talk for years about whether this is appropriate, and now in wake of Charleston and the South Carolina Confederate flag, it’s coming up again.

Do you think these posts should be renamed to honor people who fought in the U.S. Army exclusively? Vote, and share your thoughts in the comments section below.

Take the Poll:
http://www.stripes.com/military-life/military-history/poll-should-us-military-bases-named-after-confederates-be-renamed-1.353890#
Posted in these groups: E83e9618 Confederate Flag
Edited 9 y ago
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Responses: 282
PO1 Graylin Hobbs
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No changes needed! These Officers stood for ideal not a popularity contest!
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SPC Counterintelligence Agent
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I've always been torn about that. Especially having had family on both sides of the war. Strictly looking at the military conflict the commanders of that era, particularly in the south, were military legends and on that should be commemorated.
But then I remember what they fought for and I choke. I don't want to start an argument about the causes of the civil war since that would be off topic, but slavery was one of those reasons. If it was just about the economic disparity between the north and south or if the north exercised some unlawful power over the south it would be one thing, but it wasn't and they didn't.
All that being said, I think the aftermath of the civil war taught us to respect our martial honorable enemies. Rommel, Geronimo, Von Ludendorf, von Ricktoven, Yamamoto are names that appear in our history books with respect and sometimes reverence. Maybe the civil war taught us to separate the soldier and the war from the politics that caused the war.
Maybe a better question is, was that right lesson to learn?
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SPC Counterintelligence Agent
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1LT William Clardy Thank you for the generous response.
You're correct in your assumption about West Virginia and Maryland. While Maryland never had a choice about the matter, West Virginia's (un?)- secession should get its own documentary. I imagine they felt pretty secure in those mountains. I've driven through there a few times and the terrain is unforgiving. I'd hate waltzing in there on foot and I can't imagine an invasion with nineteenth century logistics.
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CDR Michael Goldschmidt
CDR Michael Goldschmidt
9 y
SPC (Join to see) : Awesome profile pic!
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CDR Michael Goldschmidt
CDR Michael Goldschmidt
9 y
SPC (Join to see): West Virginia was formed unlawfully and unconstitutionally out of Virginia. It is the least legitimate state.
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1LT William Clardy
1LT William Clardy
9 y
CDR Michael Goldschmidt, West Virginia was formed with the consent of the Virginia Legislature. Virginia's post-war objections were mainly disputes over whether or not a couple of counties were actually given the opportunity to decide which state they would wind up in, and how big a portion of Virginia's debt was West Virginia's fair share.
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CSM Curt Tipton
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By law, Confederate veterans ARE American Veterans.

Federal Laws Pertaining to Confederate Veterans
Confederate Veterans are American Veterans....  By Law
The United States Government Honors Confederate Veterans and the Confederacy.
For those who believe that the Confederate States of America and the men and women who pledged allegiance to that constitutionally established government and spilled their blood and treasure in its defense are somehow illegitimate and not worthy of honor and protection by the American government, below are those laws and proclamations honoring them and their service and which proclaim that they were equal in honor and worthiness to those who served the Federal cause. Such official proclamations by the Government of the United States removes all claims against the Confederacy and those who served it and protects, defends and honors their symbols, monuments and heroes. In other words, the current assault upon all things Confederate is contrary to the laws of the United States of America and must be resisted vigorously.
Congressional Act of 9 March 1906 ~ We Honor Our Fallen Ancestors
(P.L. 38, 59th Congress, Chap. 631-34 Stat. 56)
This act authorized the furnishing of headstones for the graves of Confederates who died, primarily in Union prison camps and were buried in Federal cemeteries. Remarks: This act formally reaffirmed Confederate soldiers as military combatants with legal standing. It granted recognition to deceased Confederate soldiers commensurate with the status of deceased Union soldiers.
U.S. Public Law 810, Approved by 17th Congress 26 February 1929
(45 Stat 1307 - Currently on the books as 38 U.S. Code, Sec. 2306)
This law, passed by the U.S. Congress, authorized the "Secretary of War to erect headstones over the graves of soldiers who served in the Confederate Army and to direct him to preserve in the records of the War Department the names and places of burial of all soldiers for whom such headstones shall have been erected."
Remarks: This act broadened the scope of recognition further for all Confederate soldiers to receive burial benefits equivalent to Union soldiers. It authorized the use of U.S. government (public) funds to mark Confederate graves and record their locations.
U.S. Public Law 85-425: Sec. 410 Approved 23 May 1958
Confederate Iron Cross (US Statutes at Large Volume 72, Part 1, Page 133-134)
The Administrator shall pay to each person who served in the military or naval forces of the Confederate States of America during the Civil War a monthly pension in the same amounts and subject to the same conditions as would have been applicable to such person under the laws in effect on December 31, 1957, if his service in such forces had been service in the military or naval forces of the United States.
Remarks: While this was only a gesture since the last Confederate veteran died in 1958, it is meaningful in that only fifty-seven years ago, the Congress of the United States saw fit to consider Confederate soldiers as equivalent to U.S. soldiers for service benefits. This final act of reconciliation was made almost one hundred years after the beginning of the war and was meant as symbolism more than substantive reward.
Additional Note of Critical History:  Under current U.S. Federal Code, Confederate Veterans are equivalent to Union Veterans.
This reconciliation period[*] led up to the Congressional Act of 9 March 1906, U.S. Public Law 810 Approved by 17th Congress 26 February 1929, and the final crown of reconciliation with U.S. Public Law 85-425: Sec. 410 Approved 23 May 1958. [*known as The Grand Bargain~ Editor]
By the President of the United States of America ~
A Proclamation
The years 1961 to 1965 will mark the one-hundredth anniversary of the American Civil War.
That war was America's most tragic experience. But like most truly great tragedies, it carries with it an enduring lesson and a profound inspiration. It was a demonstration of heroism and sacrifice by men and women of both sides who valued principle above life itself and whose devotion to duty is a part of our Nation's noblest tradition.
Both sections of our now magnificently reunited country sent into their armies men who became soldiers as good as any who ever fought under any flag. Military history records nothing finer than the courage and spirit displayed at such battles as Chickamauga, Antietam, Kennesaw Mountain, and Gettysburg. That America could produce men so valiant and so enduring is a matter for deep and abiding pride.
The same spirit on the part of the people at home supported and strengthened those soldiers through four years of great trial. That a Nation which contained hardly more than thirty million people, North and South together, could sustain six hundred thousand deaths without faltering is a lasting testimonial to something unconquerable in the American spirit. And that a transcending sense of unity and larger common purpose could, in the end, cause the men and women who had suffered so greatly to close ranks once the contest ended and to go on together to build a greater, freer, and happier America must be a source of inspiration as long as our country may last.
By a joint resolution approved on September 7, 1957 (71 Stat. 626), the Congress established the Civil War Centennial Commission to prepare plans and programs for the nationwide observances of the one-hundredth anniversary of the Civil War, and requested the President to issue proclamations inviting the people of the United States to participate in those observances.
Now, Therefore, I, Dwight D. Eisenhower, President of the United States of America, do hereby invite all of the people of our country to take a direct and active part in the Centennial of the Civil War.
I request all units and agencies of government--Federal, State, and local--and their officials to encourage, foster, and participate in Centennial observances. And I especially urge our Nation's schools and colleges, its libraries and museums, its churches and religious bodies, its civic, service, and patriotic organizations, its learned and professional societies, its arts, sciences, and industries, and its informational media, to plan and carry out their own appropriate Centennial observances during the years 1961 to 1965; all to the end of enriching our knowledge and appreciation of this momentous chapter in our Nation's history and of making this memorable period truly a Centennial for all Americans.
In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of the United States of America to be affixed.
DONE at the City of Washington this sixth day of December in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and sixty, and of the Independence of the United States of America the one hundred and eighty-fifth.
DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER
By the President:
CHRISTIAN A. HERTER, Secretary of State


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SrA James Cannon
SrA James Cannon
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You're preaching the gospel, Curt.
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LTC Amd Chief
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All these bases are in the south and, notice bases are named from generals for their location. If you notice the names of Ft Drum, Camp Eathan Allen (VT NG), Ft Sill, Ft Lewis and Ft Hamilton are named after other US generals. It just so happens the majority of the major Army bases are in the south. This just happens to how the military names bases. People didn't think of the future PC culture back then on naming bases.
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PO2 Rev. Frederick C. Mullis, AFI, CFM
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Query me this? Is it lawful to name a military establishment after an American veteran? Well everyone will readily say yes to that question. Well then consider this.
U.S. Public Law 85-425: Sec. 410 Approved 23 May 1958, states that every Confederate veteran was to be considered a Veteran of the United States of America. It started out by addressing the Administrator shall pay to each person who served in the military or naval forces of the Confederate States of America during the Civil War a monthly pension in the same amounts and subject to the same conditions as would have been applicable to such person under the laws in effect on December 31, 1957, if his service in such forces had been service in the military or naval forces of the United States. This also applied to surviving spouses. This also followed to be applied to Judicial judgements where Confederate Monuments and Graves were also to be considered the same as National Monuments and raves of all American veterans and be protected accordingly.

So now with that bit of information, the question is actually quite moot. It makes no difference whether a General, Admiral, Soldier or Sailor has done something significant or honorable to have a base, station or ship named after them. The USS Robert E. Lee, USS Stonewall Jackson, USS Dixon, and USS Hunley were Good Ships!! but the past Secretary of the Navy was too PC to use those names again...
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TSgt Kenneth Ellis
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No. I know Liberals like to rewrite History. This wasn't a problem before and now they are?
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GySgt Melissa Gravila
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IMO- we need to stop this downward spiral we are on as a country, stop going down this "rabbit hole" and be proud of our country's history- all of it the good, bad, and ugly. It is all of that history that has shaped and molded us- to try to erase part of our history is to do a disservice to future generations, dooming them to repeat it. In order to learn from our mistakes, and celebrate our victories, we have to remember and memorialize them all.

Just my $.02
Semper Fi
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SPC Sheila Lewis
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Leave it be.
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Pmc Mcb
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NO. They should Not be renamed. That would be like saying every Rd, Library, etc. with MLK on it should be changed because someone might not like That part of History.
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Cpl Mark McMiller
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Prior to the Civil War, people thought of their state as a sovereign country, much like the member countries of the European Union do today. Imagine you are a citizen of England when your government decides it is fed up with polices enacted by the EU that have been, for years, benefiting certain EU member countries while hurting your country's economy. As far as you and the rest of the English people are concerned, you joined the EU voluntarily and feel that you are free to leave at your whim. So your government tells the EU it is seceding and gives the EU a deadline to vacate all property they are occupying in England. But the EU refuses to remove their forces from England, forcing England to to evict them by force, which starts a war. Would you not fight to defend your country from a foreign invader no matter what the the foreign invader's reasons for invading? This is the same scenario that played out in 1861 in the United States.
When the Civil War started, many Confederates who have things named after them, despite whether they agreed or disagreed with slavery, felt honor and duty bound to to defend their sovereign country (state) against a foreign invader (Union forces) and they did so. Many of them had years of prior exemplary service in the U.S. military. Robert E. Lee is a great example. If Lee was so bad, why was he Lincoln's first choice to command the Union Army? These people are part of our history and the installations named after them are part of our history. I like the names on those installations. We need to get away from this PC bullshit or renaming something just because one segment of our society is uncomfortable with it.
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SrA James Cannon
SrA James Cannon
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Yes, and notice how England is trying to leave that relationship now through the Brexit vote? Things are not always as simple as traitors vs. heroes.
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