In a letter addressed to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and House Oversight Chairman James Comer, House Freedom Caucus Chairman Bob Good, a Republican from Virginia, expressed his concerns over the recent removal of the Reconciliation Monument, a Confederate memorial, from Arlington National Cemetery. Good accused the Pentagon of attempting to “rewrite” history through its actions.
The Pentagon’s Naming Commission, which is responsible for renaming and removing military installations named after the Confederacy, had recommended the removal of the Reconciliation Monument following the Black Lives Matter protests in 2020. However, Good argued that such removals only perpetuate an endless cycle of renaming institutions and buildings under the guise of “political wokeness.”
Good emphasized the importance of historical sites in providing a platform for observing varied perspectives of historical events, engaging diverse viewpoints, and inspiring robust conversation about the nation’s history. He called for the House Oversight Committee to hold a hearing on the Naming Commission and requested the panel to provide any relevant documents.
Furthermore, Good urged Secretary Austin to compile all relevant documents and correspondence with the Naming Commission, including memos to private entities and the White House. By doing so, he aims to shed light on the decision-making process behind the removal of the Confederate memorial.
The Reconciliation Monument, commissioned by the United Daughters of the Confederacy and unveiled by then-President Wilson in 1914, had been authorized for reinterment of Confederate remains in Arlington National Cemetery. However, Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin had previously proposed moving the memorial to the Virginia Military Institute.
Despite legal challenges, the removal of the Reconciliation Monument was ultimately cleared in late December, allowing for its dismantlement. The controversy surrounding the memorial’s removal highlights the ongoing debate over the preservation of Confederate symbols and the interpretation of history.
Rep. Bob Good’s letter to the Pentagon serves as a reflection of the broader concerns among Republicans regarding the erasure of historical monuments and the perceived rewriting of American history. This issue is likely to continue to be a contentious topic in the political landscape as different perspectives clash over the interpretation and preservation of historical symbols.
