Within the next five years, we will come upon the anniversary of two major historic military events, the start of the U.S. Civil War and World War I.
In 2011, the U.S. will mark the sesquicentennial, or the 150th anniversary of the Civil War, while in 2014, the world will mark the 100th anniversary of World War I.
As I write this column, there are just three World War I veterans still alive. If I had written this on July 1, that number would have been five. Sadly, within a week of each other in mid-July, Henry Alingham and Harry Patch from the United Kingdom died, thus leaving just three veterans left. There is a strong chance that, by the time of the 100th anniversary, no veterans of the war will still be alive.
These anniversaries raise questions about how we, as a society, handle these events in light of the fact that, in any war, there is a winning side and a losing side. Can an anniversary be done in which both the victors and losers are recognized?
For example, with the 150th anniversary of the Civil War, this will lead to discussions about the continued legacy and impact of the war. How will our own Commonwealth handle the anniversary? Richmond served as the Capital of the confederacy and many prominent Virginia Statesmen were a part of the effort. How do you honor the sacrifices of the confederate soldiers without the fear of reprisals from those that claim honoring this legacy is in turn honoring the legacy of slavery?
Can the Southern states be allowed to reflect upon their past in a way that accommodates everyone? Can the Northern States honor their fallen soldiers without appearing to be boastful? It is not an easy situation.
When the 100th anniversary of the Civil War occurred in 1961, the climate was still hostile for the non-white population in many parts of the south. Some would argue that nothing had changed in that hundred-year period from the end of the war. Brown vs. Board of Education had been decided, it would be a while before full integration would happen in many areas, and it would not be until 1964 that the Civil Rights Act would be passed.
I suspect that the conversations in 2011 may be different than those of 1961. How will the federal government mark the occasion? It is fitting that President Obama's term overlaps with the anniversary. What role will he play? Will there be a Gettysburg Address of the 21st century?
With Virginia Tech having a strong military tradition through the Corps of Cadets, these impending anniversaries provide an opportunity for the Corps to join in the discussions within the university and local community on these questions.
We have experts on the campus and the local community that can help in these discussions. While it may appear far off in the distance, we need to be prepared for these discussions.
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As a native Virginian, it pains me to see that Virginia is no longer considered a Southern State. Northern Virginia has been the ruin of Southern culture. In 2011 I hope we do celebrate the Confederacy. For many of us that live in Virginia especially south of Richmond, we are still very much a Southern state with the southern values of life. We need to stop worrying about offending people. People these days get offended at the smallest things. Everyone is so worried about a law suit.
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The point of honoring the Civil War anniversary should be to recognize the sacrifices made by all men for the ultimate greater good of the country. Celebrate American heritage, not north and south.
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It marks the end of states' rights
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I'm going to go out on a limb and say VT will have some sort of "diversity awareness" week with respect to the Civil War
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It will be very interesting considering the Republican Party was given birth with the Bleeding Kansas War. The Republican Party was dominated in Wisconsin by the anti-slavery faction and many guest apperances of Frederick Douglass in Wisconsin 1856. The Sharpes Rifle was 2nd too none to defeat the South in Kansas. The election of Lincoln broke up the North and South over slavery and the Republican Wide Awake Political movement wanted war with the South over slavery. How are the Southern Republicans going to honor the the Lincoln Party in 2011?? Facts not fiction.... James Redpath and John Brown became hated with the pro-slavery south and more....hang all the abolitionists
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It will be very interesting considering the Republican Party was given birth with the Bleeding Kansas War. The Republican Party was dominated in Wisconsin by the anti-slavery faction and many guest apperances of Frederick Douglass in Wisconsin 1856. The Sharpes Rifle was 2nd too none to defeat the South in Kansas. The election of Lincoln broke up the North and South over slavery and the Republican Wide Awake Political movement wanted war with the South over slavery. How are the Southern Republicans going to honor the the Lincoln Party in 2011?? Facts not fiction.... James Redpath and John Brown became hated with the pro-slavery south and more....hang all the abolitionists
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haha northern va has been the ruin of southern culture. we've come a long way from the days of states telling to fed gov to go f themselves. now theyre going to the feds hat in hand begging for help. 150 years is a long time so i guess its not all that surprising
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