Different perspectives on Civil War history

The excellent article by Robert Simpson, "The evil gift that keeps on giving," in the Sunday paper is certainly from his Confederacy view point as it pertains to the slavery issue.

Colonel Simpson had relatives who fought for the Confederacy, so his views are different from myself who had relatives who fought for the Union. I have my great grandfather’s Springfield rifle, powder horn and bayonet in my closet waiting for its donation to a museum someday. He fought with Company G, 14th Illinois Infantry under General Sheridan.

The primary reason Yankees fought in the Civil War was not to end slavery but to preserve the Union. I have never read or heard of anything different. I was born in Illinois but grew up in Miami, Florida, graduated from high school in Barnesville, Georgia, (Gordon Military College) and from Mercer University as a history major. Back in my school days the Civil War was always a subject for popular discussion, much more than it is today. I was always the only one who had relatives who fought for the North as Georgia did not have that mix of Yankees that it does today. I learned more about the Civil War from those hundreds of discussions than I did in the classroom at Mercer.

Well, Mr. Rogers?

Following the horrifying and disgusting statements of the President, in which he insisted that "very fine people" were marching with neo-Nazis in Charlottesville and the death of Heather Heyer was caused by violence on "both sides," Representative Jerrold Nadler introduced a House Resolution condemning and censuring the President for his acts of moral turpitude.

Precedent exists for the censure of a sitting U.S. President. While this act produces no lasting consequences of substance, it is of critical, and immediate, importance that Congress condemn and censure the President for his disturbing, abominable, and repugnant lack of morality. His words do not speak for the United States. Representative Mike Rogers' continued allegiance to him will only demonstrate your own sympathy to white supremacy and nationalism.

I urge Representative Rogers to step up as a leader for Alabama, and support Representative Nadler in this resolution for censure of the President.

Reconciliation

In response to the Confederate flags stolen from our Confederate heroes’ graves:

It takes ignorance for someone to remove anything from a cemetery or grave. But in our day and time people see the Confederate flag as a symbol of racism, and I can understand that. It’s because of our society and what is taught in our schools that the Confederate flag is seen as a race-negative symbol.

So I think we can still honor our Confederate heroes by putting instead an American flag as we all fly and are proud of. That would be a symbol even our old heroes would be proud of.

On the front line

Military, police and others in public service have difficult and often dangerous work. To those on the job and doing it to the best of their ability, we owe a large debt of thanks.

There's been a lot of recent negative publicity about the actions of a relative few, both locally and nationally, however. It's that small percentage who get the attention and make life hard for the rest. To the 1% who are a thorn in the side of the others, slow down, consider the outcome of your actions and as our parents used to say, "Learn to behave yourself." You've got an example to set. Be the good one.

When you see police officers or soldiers out in public, consider openly thanking them for their service to the community. You never know what awfulness they might've just seen and are in need a word of encouragement.

On the spot

Please allow me space to highly commend our Harris County firefighters, our EMS personnel and all first responders.

On Tuesday the 15th of August, Christ the King Catholic Church was hit by lightning, splitting the cupola and setting fire to the building.

Within three or four minutes firefighters from Hopewell Community Fire House were on the scene, followed by Pine Mountain, and during the long night personnel from Northwest Harris and Pine Mountain Valley.

I was very impressed by their organizational skills in quickly setting up the Incident Command Center. There was a subsequent flare up and we he had to call for help again at 6:30 a.m., and again the response was immediate. I saw one firefighter return and saw his teenage son asleep in his car. The picture spoke loudly that their life of service places a heavy burden on their family life.

As a retired Navy Captain, I had many tours of duty at sea. All aboard were expected to drill and train in setting up damage control initiatives and all prepared to fight fires and save the ship. I took note of the proficiency, the expertise, the courage and the team spirit on that night.

I and all my church members thank all who were involved in saving our building (God’s House). They deserve our highest commendation for a job well done and a “Bravo Zulu” for exemplary firefighting ability.

This story was originally published August 23, 2017 at 4:15 PM with the headline "Different perspectives on Civil War history."