Why celebrate Confederate Memorial Day, indeed? (Our view: Confederate Memorial Day?, May 1) First of all, it’s Politically Incorrect! Now, how do we celebrate it? Well, we celebrate every other Holiday with parades, parties, BBQ’s, etc. Maybe some will have a few beers. Whatever spins your tires. Don’t want to observe Confederate Memorial Day? No problem. Don’t.
If I remember correctly, Memorial Day was started right here in Columbus by four Southern belles who wished to honor the fallen soldiers, both Blue and Gray, who were buried in the cemetery here. They honored those who fought and died for the Northern cause, so why can’t we honor those who fought and died for the Southern cause? By the way, we still honor all fallen servicemen and women who fought for the United States. Since the former Confederate States of America are now still part of the United States of America, it’s part of American history, too.
In a few weeks some will celebrate “Juneteenth,” supposedly in recognition of some obscure Yankee general landing in Galveston and informing the Texans that the War was over and all slaves in the Southern, rebellious states, but not those in the states that fought for the Union, were now free. To everyone who believes that the war was fought to end slavery: Chew on that.
The bottom line is we must remember history or we’re doomed to repeat it. And, we must remember history as it happened, not as recorded by the victors, and not filtered through the sieve of political correctness.
I had no idea that Mississippi still observed Confederate Memorial Day, mainly because it isn’t on any calendars, and no businesses have sales commemorating it.
Did I celebrate Confederate Memorial Day? No. If I had known it was on the calendar somewhere, I would have done nothing different. Don’t do away with it, because it also reminds us that this is ” … one Nation, under God, indivisible … ,” and it also reminds us that it was the beginning of the end for states rights in America.
Cameron Triplett
Brooksville
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
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