Arlington National Cemetery to Remove Confederate Memorial Despite GOP Opposition

**Title: Arlington National Cemetery to Remove Confederate Memorial Despite Republican Pushback**

**Introduction**

Arlington National Cemetery is set to remove its Confederate Memorial next week, a decision that has faced opposition from a group of congressional Republicans. The removal of the statue follows a nationwide movement to eliminate Confederate symbols from military institutions, which gained momentum after the 2020 Black Lives Matter protests. Despite a plea from 43 Republican congressmen to the Pentagon, the memorial, also known as the Reconciliation Monument, will be taken down by December 22. This article explores the controversy surrounding the removal and the plans for relocating the statue.

**Heading 1: Nationwide Efforts to Remove Confederate Symbols from Military Institutions**

In response to the 2020 Black Lives Matter protests, there has been a widespread push to remove Confederate symbols from military institutions across the United States. This movement aims to address the historical association of these symbols with racism and oppression. The decision to remove the Confederate Memorial at Arlington National Cemetery is part of this larger effort.

**Heading 2: Republican Opposition to the Removal**

Despite the nationwide push to remove Confederate symbols, a group of 43 Republican congressmen has voiced their opposition to dismantling and removing the Confederate Memorial at Arlington Cemetery. They argue that the memorial does not honor the Confederacy but instead celebrates American unity following the Civil War. The Republicans claim that removing the statue would disrespect the graves of Confederate soldiers buried at the cemetery.

**Heading 3: Arlington National Cemetery’s Decision and Safety Measures**

Arlington National Cemetery has announced its decision to remove the Confederate Memorial and has already placed safety fencing around it. The removal process will be carried out with utmost care to protect the surrounding landscape, graves, and headstones. The bronze elements of the memorial will be relocated, while the granite base and foundation will remain in place to avoid disturbing the graves.

**Heading 4: Virginia Governor’s Plan for Relocation**

Virginia’s Republican Governor, Glenn Youngkin, disagrees with the Biden administration’s decision to remove the Confederate Memorial. He plans to move the statue to the New Market Battlefield State Historical Park in the Shenandoah Valley. This relocation aims to preserve the historical significance of the memorial while addressing concerns about its presence at Arlington National Cemetery.

**Heading 5: Background and Controversial Elements of the Confederate Memorial**

The Confederate Memorial at Arlington National Cemetery was erected in 1914 and features a bronze woman wearing a crown of olive leaves atop a 32-foot pedestal. The woman holds a laurel wreath, a plow stock, and a pruning hook, with a biblical inscription at her feet. The memorial also includes controversial figures, such as a black woman depicted as “Mammy” holding the child of a white officer and a slave following his owner to war.

**Heading 6: Congressional Mandate and Independent Commission Recommendation**

An independent commission recommended the removal of the Confederate Memorial in 2022 as part of its final report to Congress on renaming military bases and other Confederate-related items. Following the report, a congressional mandate was issued, calling for the removal of all Confederate memorials by January 1, 2024.

**Heading 7: Recent Renaming of Military Bases**

The renaming of military bases has been another significant aspect of addressing Confederate symbols. Earlier this year, North Carolina’s Fort Bragg was renamed Fort Liberty, as it was originally named after Confederate General Braxton Bragg, who was a slave owner. This renaming process is part of the broader effort to promote inclusivity and equality within military institutions.

**Conclusion**

The decision to remove the Confederate Memorial at Arlington National Cemetery reflects the nationwide movement to eliminate Confederate symbols from military institutions. Despite opposition from Republican congressmen, the memorial will be taken down by December 22. Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin plans to relocate the statue to the New Market Battlefield State Historical Park. This ongoing process highlights the complexities surrounding historical monuments and their place in contemporary society.