The Reconciliation Memorial in Arlington National Cemetery is under threat of being removed to satisfy the ideological objectives of a congressional "Naming Commission," an operation that will cost taxpayers $61 million. Here are ten reasons why The Virginia Council believes the memorial should remain where it is, not be torn down or relocated:
- Taxpayer money should not be spent destroying war memorials.
- War Memorials should be honored, not moved or destroyed.
- Moses Ezekiel, the foremost Jewish sculptor in American history, created this as his magnum opus and lies beneath it.
- Grave markers reside on sacred ground and should not be disrupted or removed.
- Removal cheats future generations of context and truth of history.
- This is a monument to peace and brought the people of the United States together after bitter struggle. It has been honored by all Presidents from 1914-2009.
- Contrary to the interpretation of revisionist historians, Reconciliation is an integrated memorial and is supported by many black veterans.
- The history around the monument is being intentionally skewed, and its origins and full context are being dismissed in favor of a woke message of destruction.
- Removal harms military recruitment and makes light of soldiers’ sacrifice.
- The removal process is being conducted illegally and is outside of the remit of the Congressional Naming Commission. Cemeteries are off-limits.
Read our Reconciliation Memorial Issue Brief to learn more about the memorial's true story and the fight to preserve Virginia's history for future generations.
