When will they tear down our monuments?

2020-08-04T15:05:44-04:00

WWI and WWII. Korea. Vietnam. I can well imagine them all torn down just as Confederate monuments are being torn down today. Hopefully, they’ll wait until we’re all gone just as they waited until all the Confederate veterans were dead and buried. No, I am not advocating that slavery was acceptable. However, just as a point of interest, did you know that Confederate soldiers, sailors and marines were made US Veterans by Act of Congress? No, this doesn't justify defending their monuments. But it doesn't make our monuments any more defensible when public opinions turns against us.

What? You don’t think our history will be vilified one day? You don't think our monuments could be destroyed? Think again.

Our monuments could be torn down by the socialists if they ascend to power. Remember, those of us who fought the socialists during the 20th Century – the Nazis, the Fascists, the Communists – we won’t be remembered any more kindly than those Confederate veterans. Will the socialists ascend to such power? Well, it’s a good bet that socialism enjoys strong approval by at least 25% of today’s population and another 25% looks at socialism and say “Meh.” And, with the boost in popularity coming from todays students at socialist dominated campuses, their strength is growing.

Our monuments could be torn down by the Muslims if they ascend to power. I wouldn’t expect 9/11 memorials to last very long if that happens. Will the Muslims ascend to power in the United States? Well, if current trends in birthrates continue, I’d say there’s more than a good chance.

Now, what do you think?

Response by LCDR Joshua Gillespie made Aug 4 at 2020 3:29 PM

2020-08-04T15:29:52-04:00

This became VERY real for my family about a month or so ago. Back in the '90s, my father ( a local artist and former Paratrooper) sculpted the veterans' monument for my home county. It was a life-like eagle cast in bronze from the clay original.. with my sister and I having our names inscribed in a "hidden" part of the base. Plaques commemorating each of the branches were mounted on the sides of a granite, pentagonal base. The day it was dedicated, my father wore his uniform, I wore my grandfather's (after approval from the visiting U.S. Army dignitaries) who died during WWII, and numerous local vets came out to honor it. During the '96 Olympics, I ran alongside the Torch from our home in Gatlinburg, to where the monument sat at the county seat in Sevierville. That summer, I reported to USNA.

I came home one day recently (I live about an hour away now) to see armed civilians surrounding the monument, with a large group of people milling about... some claiming to be with "BLM". Lots of thoughts went through my head: Fear that my father might risk going down there in the middle of all that. Guilt that I was too far away to get there in time. Apprehension in knowing that even if I did... what was I prepared to do, and would the possible consequences be "worth it" as a family man? Ultimately, things ended peacefully... for now.

This isn't just about racism from 150, 100, or 50 years ago... this is about people living NOW, and their perceptions of just what is, and what isn't the "United States". We're being asked to believe that these "symbols" somehow oppressed, and mark continued oppression... some people may be motivated by genuine anguish, but I can't help but see more than this at work. Perhaps I'm just growing weary of constantly being asked to call a "spade" a "butter knife". I'm all for understanding the full story; the truth... warts and all; but I'm concerned we're moving towards something far more destructive, oppressive, and wicked than anything that went before it. I hope, I pray that I'm wrong.

Response by SGT Edward Wilcox made Aug 4 at 2020 3:30 PM

2020-08-04T15:30:23-04:00

Where, in this entire world, do you see a victorious country erect statues to the memory of those that fought against them? Only here. Where do you find any country that erects monuments to traitors and insurrectionists? Only here. No, they were never declared US veterans by Congress, and if I am wrong, please cite the act. No, our monuments to those who fought FOR our country will not be torn down. Witness all the Civil War monuments that still stand, the ones commemorating the Union.

Response by Cpl Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 4 at 2020 3:42 PM

2020-08-04T15:42:35-04:00

Even the confederate monuments have a purpose. Seeing them, one should be able to recognize the strides we've made since the founding era. Even the flag we fly today is a testiment to the progress we've made since the founding. The fifty stars on the field of blue has never been flown over our country where a person was enslaved.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Aug 4 at 2020 4:29 PM

2020-08-04T16:29:01-04:00

Response by Patricia Overmeyer made Aug 4 at 2020 4:43 PM

2020-08-04T16:43:27-04:00

CPT Jack Durish: Citation please to the congressional act which designated Confederate soldiers as US veterans.

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Aug 4 at 2020 5:29 PM

2020-08-04T17:29:23-04:00

Thank you for the history share.

Response by LTC Stephen C. made Aug 4 at 2020 7:51 PM

2020-08-04T19:51:18-04:00

The particular monument depicted in your discussion thread is at Gettysburg, CPT Jack Durish. I’m frankly surprised it’s still there. It will be removed soon.

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made Aug 5 at 2020 9:32 AM

2020-08-05T09:32:22-04:00

I understand your concern but the comparison isn't apples to apples.

Many of the statues being contested weren't erected until the 50's and 60's in direct opposition of the civil rights act. They weren't put in place to mourn the death of Americans or honor Generals with decades of service to the US but to oppose those who wanted equality. I was raised in Kentucky and we were raised with a more in depth view of the war, what led to it and the aftermath from it. But with that said many of these statues were created as obstacles and intended to be horrible reminders to people of color.

That is not what our War Memorials stand for and because of that I don't think they will be treated the same. But I understand your fears because you can look on the news and see a lot of uneducated and angry people lashing out at all statues, any statue because they want to be heard and some just want to burn the landscape and use this current movement as a convenient cause to latch upon to get their rocks off. Many War memorials and other statues have been damaged by protesters because they are just lashing out. I think will tempers cool and the dust settles things will smooth out.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 8 at 2023 3:48 AM

2023-04-08T03:48:55-04:00

I totally get where you're coming from. It's sad to see history being erased like this. While I understand why some people might find these monuments offensive, tearing them down doesn't change the past. It just hides it. And you're right, if public opinion continues to turn against us, who knows what could happen in the future. On a related note, I recently came across this amazing memorial engraving by Riley Gardner Memorials of Texas https://Rileygardnermemorial.com . They did a beautiful job capturing the essence of my beloved dad, and I couldn't be more pleased with the result. It's a wonderful way to preserve his memory and honor his legacy.

Riley Gardner Memorial - Riley Gardner Memorial

At Riley-Gardner Memorial we carry the highest quality granite and marble in the industry. All of the monuments that we carry have proven to withstand the