Point Lookout POW Organization
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| Name: | Christina Shaw. |
| E-mail address: | appalusaspots@yahoo.com |
| Comments On Vet. Admin.: | I am fortunate in the fact that I did not have a member who was imprisoned at Point Lookout but I did have ancestors that served and fought for the Confederate Cause. States Rights---that's what the war was for-- it was guaranteed in the Constitution, but that right was taken away from the Southern States therefore they succeeded. Now Confederate military dead are being denied their rights by having their National Flag being tossed aside because of IDIOTS WHO THINK THEY HAVE POWER. They are in fact breaching the Mission Statements put in black and white. Read number #3. Maybe instead of thousands of letters which are probably not being read but shredded. How about looking into taking this to the State Courts if not the Supreme Court. Perhaps we need to look at how to get rid of these vial people LEGALLY!!! Please legal people out there, please look at all the possible legal actions we can take against these people. We owe it to the brave men, women and children buried at Point Lookout. They fought their fight now lets fight for them. By the way there is an unidentified Union Soldier buried in the middle of my neighbors cotton field. They plow and plant around him every year but they also out of kindness place and American Flag at his tombstone while flying the Confederate Flag on their front lawn. My Grandfather fought WWI(Army Calvary),my father fought Korea (Marine),My son has fought Iraq, Afghanistan and whatever else they may throw at him (Air Force). I fly the American Flag for them and next to it is my Confederate flag for my great-grandfather and other ancestors who fought. Get it Veterans Administration!!! It's just the right thing to do!!! Your hearts are definately BLACK, HARD and COLD. What lasting memories your leaving for yourselves. Hope your families are proud of you!! |
| Name: | M.J. Barker |
| E-mail address: | mikesbarleylife@yahoo.com |
| Comments On Vet. Admin.: | prior to southern secession, 75% of all dollars paid into the U.S. treasury was paid by the south. over 50% was paid by 4 states(Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia) add unjust protectionist tariff policys like the morrill tariff act of 1861 that Lincoln signed into law increasing tariff rates from 15% to 37%. after secession, the south announced to the whole world their low 10% tariff. this low tariff enraged the New England Wall Street shakers & movers of their day & Northern Businesses. not only is the north losing 75% of their revenue into the U.S. Treasury from Southern Dollars thru Secession but the whole world could trade thru Southern ports cheaper and bypass Northern trade. the North had to either lower the price to be competitive or destroy the Confederacy. The North had no intention of ever lowering the Federal tariff or compromising at all on this issue. southern grieviences went down to the heart of the country finances and specific the tariff issue. one last example of Northern coersion is the Fort Sumter debacle. Not only was Fort Sumter a Major port in Charleston harbor & Military post, but Fort Sumter was a customs house where duties were collected. it suprises me little, that the Federal Gov't made their last stand here. SOUTHERN RIGHTS WERE TRAMPLED UNDER FOOT THEN(1861-1865), & MANY DO IT TODAY!!!!! Please restore the Confederate Flag over all our CSA Veterans. no others have any jurisdiction. |
| Name: | Terri Jo McKay |
| E-mail address: | jomckay@gmail.com |
| Comments On Vet. Admin.: | Ouch!! I don't know where to begin. First I want to say thank you for this site!! My gr.gr grandpa Hamilton Luther was taken to Pt. Lookout and was released after swearing 'the oath' and he came back home. But not before losing brothers, cousins and friends to this War. They never had slaves. They were poor mountain farmers who fought this war for the RICH man who had all the slaves. And for OUR flag not be allowed to fly over a Confedrate grave is blasphmy. Our US Government is trying to rewrite history. SHAME!! But those of us who are proud of our heritage will not let this happen!! I will not let my children and their children forget either. I take my Battle Flags to each and every family members grave that is known to me who fought for the SOUTH'S RIGHTS and place it at the headstone once a year (and also their wives who had to suffer for the rich man also.) Sometimes they are stolen, but for the most part--they remain.
I need to ask. The Union Soldiers that are buried in Andersonville and other areas around the SOUTH...are they buried under Union Colors or Confederate Colors? Just perhaps as SOUTHERN citizens, we should ensure that all Union Soldiers have a Confederate Flag flying in memory of why they were here in the first place. I believe in the Union of the States--but this war happened and many died for the 'cause.' It is up to us to make sure that the flags fly for all!! Something a delicate as this has no place for the VA to say jack-diddley. (Was the VA around in 1861?) Thank you for this wonderful site |
| Name: | Dorinda Bain |
| E-mail address: | dorindabain2@yahoo.com |
| Comments On Vet. Admin.: |
Like many living in this great county I numberous ancestors who fought in the Civil War and were Confederate soldiers. My great great grandfather George Washington Loe/Lowe was a prisioner at Point Lookout. He was fortunate that he lived to come back to Alabama to live out his life. I think it is ashamed that the Veterans Adminstration would not allow the Confederate flag to fly over the graves of the brave men who fought and died for their cause. What can people be thinking to try and rewrite or cover up history that they feel offensive. I am proud of my ancestors for fighting for what they believed in. |
| Name: | Lucille Jones |
| E-mail address: | wlu92k8@sbcglobal.net |
| Comments On Vet. Admin.: | I just learned that my grandfather, Albert Hanna Tate was a POW at Point Lookout.Reportedly his face was disfiguered enough while there, that he wore a beard for the rest of his life. If he could have a flag,flown over his grave, I believe he would have wanted it there. |
| Name: | kathy young |
| E-mail address: | bamagirliniow@aol.com |
| Comments On Vet. Admin.: | As a Great Niece of a Confederate SOLDIER who served time at Point Lookout Prison Camp I believe that the men who served with him and were imprisoned with him him have a right to have the Confederate Flag flown over them. As you say your mission is to honor the soldiers that fight for this country then do so. To me it seems as though you are in breach of your mission statement.
that is the message to send to the Vet,Adminisstration. |
| Name: | Susanna Clark-Smith |
| E-mail address: | susannarick@earthlink.net |
| Comments On Vet. Admin.: | I am very disturbed to find that the VA is not allowing the appropriate Confederate flag to be flown in a cemetery for Confederate soldiers. Not just any confederate soldier cemetery, but one for prisoners of war who died while in the custody of Union soldiers. Most, if not all, died of disease, wounds and exposure while in the custody of Union soldiers. To fly the flag representative of their enemy over their graves is the greatest insult of all.
This is censorship of the vilest kind. I have ancestors who fought on both sides of that war. I am proud of all of them - no matter which side of the political and economic war they stood. Our differences were not settled then - and, apparently, are not settled now. Point of fact, our current flag that flies over the United States is not the appropriate flag to fly in a Union soldier cemetery and certainly does not belong in a cemetery of only Confederate soldiers - especially POW's. To NOT fly the historically correct CSA flag for all Confederate solders is extremely dishonorable - not only to them and their descendents - but, to ALL soldiers of ALL time. Rules can be changed - and, in this case, this is a very bad rule that need to be corrected. |
| Name: | Bradley C. Johnson |
| E-mail address: | d.flint@insightbb.com |
| Comments On Vet. Admin.: | I think the flag issue is crazy. We fly flags of differnt wars
and this should be no differnt. I think that the problem is that everyone thinks of the C.S.A. flag from the racism point. I myself am a vetren an I beleive that it is all a racial issue that the goverment is trying to avoid. Because of actions of the K.K.K. and other hate groups it is looked at in that manner. Trust me I was born and raised in Florida and I am named after Confederate General Bradley T. Johnson who was going to raid Point Lookout to free the prisoners there. I now live in the north and when I see people with a C.S.A. flag on a hat or shirt or flying in their yards I ask them if they had ancestors who fought for the south I always get the same answer "No I didnt I just want Blacks to know I dont like them" or they say that they do it to show that the are proud to be white. I always laugh at them and tell them they are a bunch of dumb asses who have no idea what the flag is and that because of people like them things like this at Point Lookout happen. I am a proud American Soldier and I beleive that the flag is about rememberance. I have been to Iraq twice fought for my country and demand the right to remember my ancestors for who they were not by what the goverment feel is the political correctness is. SFC Bradley C. Johnson United States Army P.S. Ask the VA why people have the right to burn a US flag but it can be a crime to place a C.S.A. flag on a stone of a C.S.A.Solider |
| Name: | Captain Christopher J. M. Cummins, M.D., M.T., USAR |
| E-mail address: | giuseppe398@yahoo.com |
| Comments On Vet. Admin.: | The VA has no right to deny my ancestors the flying of their flag over their graves. It is not up to the government to decide which flag we fly to honour our descendants. Whatever happened to free speech? |
| Name: | Carolyn S. Smalley |
| E-mail address: | cssmalley@bellsouth.net |
| Comments On Vet. Admin.: | First of all let me say that I am proud to be an American. Then let me say that I am also proud of my Southern heritage. My ancestors fought for the South because of their love of home and country and their belief in doing what was right. These were honorable men.
The popular belief and what is taught by those ignorant of true history is that they fought to own other people. None of my ancestors owned another human being. This is the case of the large majority of the brave and honorable men who gallantly defended the land of Dixie. It sickens me that the Confederate flag is so hated. Those that hate the flag have no idea on earth what it stood for when those brave men followed her into battle, and they don't care to know. It is time that 'politically correct' and ignorant people learn the truth and to respect our Confederate soldiers. It is only right that the Confederate flag should fly in the South and anywhere that a Confederate soldier lies. The Confederate soldier chose the flag that he would fight for. Nobody has the right to take that away from him. |
| Name: | susan judy |
| E-mail address: | pipes7957@yahoo.com |
| Comments On Vet. Admin.: | I believe both sides had legitimate reasons and had the courage of their convictions in order to make the stand they did make. Had I lived then, I probably would have wanted to keep the states united. In any case,The PLPOW descendants should be the people who decide which flag shall fly. Why couldn't the Federal Gov't relinquish control over the cemetary...Let the Sons of Confederate Vets maintain the site. I saw a beautiful ,private Confederate cemetary in Franklin, Tenn. and the Confederate flag was flying!!!If private control is impossible, then fly the Con. Battle Flag...What could this possibly hurt! |
| Name: | steve williamson |
| E-mail address: | parcav@aol.com |
| Comments On Vet. Admin.: | as an ancestor of 3 vets buried at point lookout I am sick to my stomach at the ignorance. whoever these idiots are making these dicisions have no business having any thing to do with confederate POW camps or grave sights.and as for the gov't letting these things happen time&again is just one of the reasons I don't have any respect for it or the u.s. flag after the American Revolutionary War. Because it isn't We the people anymore it's We the gov't don't care and will make you the People. sincerly, Steve Williamson |
| Name: | James 'Gus' Filegar |
| E-mail address: | stermarfan@aol.com |
| Comments On Vet. Admin.: | I have a question here. Doesn't the United States Flag fly over the Normandy Memorial Cemetery in France? And; every other memorial cemetary that is devoted to WWII casualties, regardless of where the internments were? And; EVERY memorial to ALL of our fallen soldiers?
Then, I say, there is NO REASON that can be offered as to why the Confederate Flag cannot, or should not be flown at the cemetery that is occupied by these Confederate fallen soldiers at Point Lookout Maryland. They fought for a nation; for it's causes, for it's sovereignty, for its ideals, just as Union soldiers fought for similiar reasons to save our union of states. Just as ALL our soldiers have fought, throughout our history. The Civil War was fought by Americans on both sides, no matter how one looks at this defining moment in OUR history. To not allow the Confederate Flag to fly here at the memorial cemetery at Point Lookout, Maryland for fallen Confederate soldiers, is to say that our Civil War never occured. That is a travesty, to say the least. As one person commented, at the time they gave their last full measure, even in prison, they were citizens of The Confederate States of America at the time, NOT the United States of America, and they should at least be honored by the flag that represented them at the time of their death. Political correctness has no place in history as it truly happened. This is indeed a dangerous notion, that could very easily destroy the why and what this Nation was created for: Liberty, Justice, and Freedom. All three of these have a common thread; responsibility. We as a nation and as people have a responsibilty to PRESERVE our history, no matter how painful or ugly. Political correctness is devoid of responsibilty. The Civil War did happen. 620,000 men, and some women, gave their last full measure during thousands of battles from 1861 to 1865, and during their incarcerations at various prisons. To not allow the Confederate Flag to fly here, is a dis-service not only to those Confederate dead, but to the Union soldiers that fought also. We became The United States of America in a real sense due to our Civil War, and these brave Confederate citizen soldiers had as much to do with it as anyone. They need to be honored in every sense of the word. Let THEIR flag honor them; there is no disgrace in recognizing history. There is undoubtedly danger in NOT recognizing it. Sincerely, James 'Gus' Filegar aka; Nathan S. Clark, Twentieth Maine |
| Name: | Scot Disharoon |
| E-mail address: | stonecutter1@peoplepc.com |
| Comments On Vet. Admin.: | The VA is totally wrong! The confederate flag should fly because that is the flag the soliders fought for. I have a church cemetery near my house that has a number of confederate soliders in it and though the families are gone I mark thier graves with the confederate flag.The public needs to be informed more about the flag and the civil war.The confederate soliders must never be forgotten!The civil war must never be forgotten. |
| Name: | Elizabeth Snow |
| E-mail address: | just_a_cornfed@yahoo.com |
| Comments On Vet. Admin.: | since they fought for this flag, they should be able to have it flown over their grave! not the flag of their enemies! |
| Name: | grayghost jr. |
| E-mail address: | jamesdemick@yahoo.com |
| Comments On Vet. Admin.: | I think the Admin thinks they have us veterns in a hole but I think it's the other way around. |
| Name: | David McDougall |
| Comments On Vet. Admin.: | As an anscestor of one prisoner, I feel outraged at the fact that the US Goverment is trying to keep us from flying our flag at battlefields and cemeteries. This is nothing more than a slap in the face for me. These places at least should be able to display the flags. It is our history! Don't change it. |
| Name: | Derek Carpenter |
| E-mail address: | derekcarpenter357@hotmail.com |
| Comments On Vet. Admin.: | I am angered to see the VA's disrespect and disregard for the grave of our dead Confederate veterans. Why does bureaucratic policy have to stand in the way of honoring our fallen heroes? My family has lived in the great state of North Carolina since the 1750's. We have fought in every major American war, from the Battle of Kings Mountain in the Revolution to the beaches of Normandy during WWII. I had ancestors who served in the 58th NC, 54th NC, 11th NC, 55th NC, and 6th NC cavalry. I am more than proud to be the descendant of these brave soldiers. We should honor these brave men who fought to defend their homes and families (not to defend slavery!) instead of making a political statement by disrespecting their graves. I had family who were MIA/KIA in the U.S. Army Air Corp during WWII over Europe. I hope they have been given the honor our Confederate dead are being denied.
Derek Carpenter, North Carolina "First at Bethel, Farthest at Gettysburg and Chickamauga, Last at Appomatox" |
| Name: | Derek Carpenter |
| E-mail address: | derekcarpenter357@hotmail.com |
| Comments On Vet. Admin.: | I am angered to see the VA's disrespect and disregard for the grave of our dead Confederate veterans. Why does beurocratic policy have to stand in the way of honoring our fallen heros? My family has lived in the great state of North Carolina since the 1750's. We have fought in every major American war, from the Battle of Kings Mountain in the Revolution to the beaches of Normandy during WWII. I had ancestors who served in the 58th NC, 54th NC, 11th NC, 55th NC, and 6th NC cavalry. I am more than proud to be the descendant of these brave soldiers. We should honor these brave men who fought to defend their homes and families(not to defend slavery!) instead of making a political statement by disrespecting their graves. I had family who were MIA/KIA in the U.S. Army Air Corp during WWII over Europe. I hope they have been given the honor our Confederate dead are being denied.
Derek Carpenter, North Carolina "First at Bethel, Farthest at Gettysburg and Chickamauga, Last at Appomatox" |
| Name: | Roland E. Jenkins |
| E-mail address: | rolandjenkins@hotmail.com |
| Comments On Vet. Admin.: | Sirs,
As a retired USAF Vet, I feel necessary to make my comments on this issue. My family geneology comes from the southern ideals and we still hold these ideals today. I fought/served for the USA under the idea of a free state for my family and future decendants. If I'd served and was imprisoned/died for my country, I would want to be paid the respect of other military members by respecting the country I died for. Other countries respect our vet's and fly the American Flag. Why is it then that the same United States will not respect the CSA and its battle flag. I am proud of my background and have ask'd that both the USA and CSA flags be placed on my headstone. I will feel this is my right and being proud of my family. Place the CSA flag where it belongs! Fly it with the pride, compassion and respect of the fallen CSA vets. |
| Name: | Thomas W. Blackstone |
| E-mail address: | rebelrex@bellsouth.net |
| Comments On Vet. Admin.: | Not allowing the Battle Flag to fly over Confederate Graves is an atrocity. These type people and their attitude have put a lincoln statue in Richmond. If they had their way we'd probably see a Hitler monument in Jeruselam. |
| Name: | Robert Lee Snook, Jr. |
| E-mail address: | MarshallRLee@aol.com |
| Comments On Vet. Admin.: | I have to agree that the refusal to fly the Battle Flag of the Confederacy is not only an unfeeling act, but also would seem to me to be a show of her own individual feelings toward the brave soldiers of the Confederate States of America. These brave soldiers had family that fought on the side of the Northern Aggressor, and died for their beliefs. These southern heros have their Standard flying over their graves, especially in the southern states. It has become very apparent to me that the south has more pride and respect for her defenders and opponents than the unfeeling controling northerners and their pork-belly politicians. These kind of people, they that believe that they know what is best for everyone else, are the very ones that caused the War for States Rights ( The War of Norhtern Aggression). We almost beat them once, do they really want to push us into trying again?? Food for thought. This push they have for "CELEBRATING DIVERSITY," would seem to be only a ploy for votes. The dead soldiers in the cemetery, Black or White, can't vote, don't worry about them. But the different minorities can vote so give them very visible deferential treatment. You have to treat all people the same, no one group should ever receive different treatment just because they are different in some way. Sign me,
A USAF, USArmy Veteran Vietnam Era And not as proud of my country as I once was |
| Name: | Jerry and Stephanie Watkins |
| E-mail address: | paint@btconline.net |
| Comments On Vet. Admin.: | Dear Sir,
My Wifes' GrGrGrandpa was imprisoned at Point Lookout POW camp until June 1865.Two whole months after the end of the War Between the States and if He had passed away before being released after being subjacated to taking the Oath of Loyalty to the Union .I would want a Confederate Battle Flag)ST Andrews Cross to remain flying over the Cemetary Monument as well for him as all the other unfortunate souls who perished under the Illtreatment by the Provost Marshall. Sir we are still under the articles of Reconstruction 140 years after the end of the War between the States ,when will this injustice to the people of the Southland be ended and we be allowede to have free elections and other state rights as the other 37 states enjoy? sincerly, Jerry an Stephanie Watkins Camp 2022 SCV Member and RNC supporter |
| Name: | Hall Martin |
| E-mail address: | hallmart@mindspring.com |
| Comments On Vet. Admin.: | While traveling in France a number of years ago when I was in the service I noticed that the American Flag was allowed to be flown on French soil over all these cemeteries, WWI and WWII. The same was true for cemeteries of other countries. The flags represented those that are buried there, and not the owner of the property! |
| Name: | James M. Mills |
| E-mail address: | major_mills@yahoo.com |
| Comments On Vet. Admin.: | It is a real shame that the Confederate Battleflag cannot be flown over these soldiers who fought were imprisoned and died for this flag and it's cause.. A real shame.
ahd .,vSha |
| Name: | Tim Fisher |
| Comments On Vet. Admin.: | The VA is being totally UNAmerican in their regulations.... by denying freedom of speech (in this case the flying of a flag) for less than the kind of exceptions Justice Holmes noted in his famous decision. This policy would scandalize the Union veterans of the "Civil" War and the VA's predecessor organization, the GAR.
But there is a deeper offense this agency is committing against the remains of the Confederate American soldiers interred at Pt. Lookout. The VA is committed to maintaining national cemeteries as national shrines honoring sacred to the honor and memory of those remains therein interred. Yet how is it ensureing "...that such cemeteries remain tranquil places, free of controversy, where the dead may be honored and remembered with dignity...." when the flag they fought, were maimed and wounded, and died for is not allowed to fly over their graves!!?? This is not honor or remembrance with dignity, but an obsolete Radical Republican ideology of insulting and defaming the Confederate dead that began with negecting their battlefield burial sites (as in farmers plowing up bones and grinding them up for fertilizer) when their graves across the country were allowed to fall into oblivion! That was a scandal that cannot ever be undone or repaired. So why continue a like divisive and puisillanimous vindictiveness by denying their flag to those Americans who "gave the last full measure of devotion" for it? Shameful, VA, shameful! How does this carry on the magnanimity of Lincoln's Second Inaugural: "...let us strive on... to bind up the nation's wounds, to care for him who shall have borne the battle..." May America's other military dead never be subjected to a similar fate should this nation ever fall to foreign invaders. Never! Does not the VA require the US flag to fly perpetually over them? Why this discrimination?! Of what benefit is it to anyone? Cpl. Tim Fisher, Bugler and Historian from NY of the 2nd SC Vol Inf and Brooks Artillery Re-enactors (out of Lehigh Valley, PA) |
| Name: | Larry D. Huffman |
| E-mail address: | ldhuffman@aol.com |
| Comments On Vet. Admin.: | My great great grandfather was a prisoner at Point Lookout as was his brother. They served in the 36th Virginia Infantry. I have been to Point Lookout several years ago. It was quite moving to view the monument and to think of the men who suffered and died there. The men buried in that grave never made it back home. They died for what they believed in and we must always honor and respect them for that.
As for the actions of the VA I find it difficult to believe that those responsible for this memorial would be so ignorant of history and the sentiments of historians, re-enactors and descendants of the Point Lookout prisoners. Surely they realize that you cannot interpret the emotions, logic and politics of the 1860's with the understanding we have today. It was a different time and a different era. The actions of the VA concerning the flag make no sense and seem willfully malicious. If those in charge of this memorial are this callous to it's history and the sentiments of those descendants (who pay taxes and vote)interested in it's preservation, perhaps we should start writing congressmen to have them replaced with administrator's who will care. |
| Name: | sfc david w winslett e troop 31st cavalry al cav retird |
| E-mail address: | wilddave@sylacauganet.com |
| Comments On Vet. Admin.: | the southerncross is a symbol of courage as well as any flag that is carried it battle my greatgrandfather fought with the 2 reg 63rd ala inf and i served the us army for 22 years i flew the confederate flag from my m1 tank in the gulf war not because i'm racist but because i'm from ala if it's good enough for grandpa it's good enough for me. to the va i'm disappoited. |
| Name: | Ernie |
| E-mail address: | ehunnings@cox.net |
| Comments On Vet. Admin.: | I'd like to know why after almost 140 years we still have so many (UNKNOWNS)in Point Lookout Confederate Cem.?For a little effort and of course that almighty Dollar.You can contact the National Archives in DC.And they'll send you a copy of your ancestor's service record.This record search is usually pretty quick and easy,as one employee once told me.The customer usually has "ALL" the info,we just retrieve and mail it.So why does'nt the V.A.retrieve them and make the proper entries in a (Point Lookout Roll of Honor) in their Visitor's Center?Or better yet,add some new name plaques.Ms.Pohlman once told me that new plaques would be added. When?140 years from now?
The U.S.Surgeon General's Office has records of prisoners who were treated,and or died while at Point Lookout.Who knows where their bodies are?They could be in the Mass Grave,sent home to Dixie,or in Chesapeake Bay.It does'nt really matter,because there are lists proving that they (DIED WHILE IN CAPTIVITY AT POINT LOOKOUT). In my heart and soul,I believe there was a deliberate plot to keep the numbers low, so Point Lookout would not go down in history as being worse than Andersonville. I have two Great Grand Uncles who enlisted and fought at the Battle of New Bern.They were captured at Fort Fisher and incarcerated at Point Lookout.Robert took " THE OATH" and went home.William died of a gunshot wound in prison on Feb.14,1865. At birth,William was named-William W.Hunnings by his Parents. At death,William was named-UNKNOWN by Vet.Admin. MAY GOD REST HIS SOUL!!! |
| Name: | Bob Hoover Jr |
| E-mail address: | rchooverjr@attbi.com |
| Comments On Vet. Admin.: | My Dad is a veteran of the Pacific Theater of WWII (Philipines and Occupation of Japan). Would you propose flying the 'Rising Sun' or the Nazi Swastika over a cemetary of WWII vets? I would certainly be offended by the Japenese flag flying over HIS grave!!! And I know he would be too!
What about the veterans from Korea? Should a Communist Chinese or North Korean flag fly over their graves?? And what about those of us who served during Vietnam?? We were forced to endure seeing the North Viet prominantly displayed when we came home and we couldn't do anything about it because of 'freedom of speech!'. Yet there is no way on this earth or the Heavan above that I'd rest comfortibaly in my grave with that flag flying over me! A American Vet is an American Vet, no matter what war he/she fought in, just are those who served during time of peace. As long as the service they fought in has the name AMERICAN in it, THEIR AMERICAN FLAG is the flag that should fly over their graves!!! PLease restore rhe Confederate National and/or Battle Flag to THEIR cemetary. Bob Hoover Jr. |
| Name: | Jeff Cordell |
| E-mail address: | cordellcsa@yahoo.com |
| Comments On Vet. Admin.: | just one more reason why it is up to us , the sons and daughters of confederate veterans, to keep pushing our heritage down the throats of the so-called leaders in our country. we will never quit and we will never go away. i myself am going to be buried, when our god calls me home, with a confederate battle flag on my casket and when i go thru the pearly gates i'm gonna' be whistlin' dixie. as a commander of an scv camp i will fight this battle to the day i die. maybe if the beauracrats in washington and other places had some of what made our ancestors such great and proud men and women in their blood none of this stuff would be happening. until we have a large enough voice to drownd out all the whinners and politically correctpuppets making these kind of decisions we will have a fight on our hands. god bless all the confederate souls that were sentenced to eternity in yankee soil. maybe we should just dig em' up and bring them all home where they belong. deo vindice |
| Name: | Ogden |
| E-mail address: | mto11@cs.com |
| Comments On Vet. Admin.: |
 Great Site - I'll give it a Star. What's your favorite dream vacation? Does it match any that I have on my URL? Its time to sing the music and get more out of life. Now wouldnt that be way cool. I hope this will bring you more good cheer and adventure. P.S. I wish you good health and peace. |
| Name: | Michael Gibson |
| E-mail address: | dmgib@houston.rr.com |
| Comments On Vet. Admin.: | This situation where a govenment bureaucrat (in Washington, of course) has issued an autocratic ruling that is against the will of the people involved, is but a another sad example of exactly WHY that horrible war was fought in the first place. |
| Name: | Louise Mack |
| E-mail address: | odesta1941@aol.com |
| Comments On Vet. Admin.: | They should be able to fly the stars and bars. They did not fight uder the stars and stripes. They were soldiers of the Confedrate states not the Union. I myself am a southern girl and proud of it. My G-uncle is amoug the dead buried at the cape and should have the right to have his colors flown. I think the V.A. needs to reconcider this matter and let the boys that fought for what they belived in show their colors.
Louise |
| Name: | Gene Leasure |
| E-mail address: | gleasure@hotmail.com |
| Comments On Vet. Admin.: | The recent refusal by the U.S. Supreme Court to hear the
Point Lookout Flag Case, exemplifies a cowardice that is directly opposite of what the issue in this case is about. This legal fight has been about properly honoring brave men,who fought for independence,self determination and the defense of family and home.Men who were starved to death by the U.S. Government. They are being dishonored every day of the year by having their oppressor's flag flying over their graves.Has the U.S. Government ever apologized to the descendants of these prisoners of war? No.Instead, it denies these brave men the honor that is afforded military dead,in almost every other country of the world.It does this under the guise of the need for racial harmony.The tyranny of the political correct liberal left elite is alive and well in the halls of our federal government.Will it take Homeland Security removing symbols of free speech from our private properties,before Americans finally realize what is happening in "The land of the free and the home of the brave"? |
| Name: | Jean Creamer |
| E-mail address: | jeancrea@tampabay.rr.com |
| Comments On Vet. Admin.: | My gg grandfather fought in the War Between the States and was a prisoner of war at Point Lookout as well as Elmira Prison in New York. I had another gg grandfather who fought and died in another prison of war camp. I also had other ancestors who fought and died in this war.
They did not fight and die for hatred or for slavery. They fought the agression of the North. The North had slaves and they were the ones who made sure the South got them. After slavery was abolished, the North still had slaves. My gg grandfather was a devote Christian man who loved his family. He never owned a slave. My other gg grandfather also did not own slaves. Yet he fought in the War Between the States and died. Slowly, Americans are giving up many rights to appease others. Don't we have rights too? Don't our ancestor's deserve the flag which they fought for to fly over their graves. They died for a cause and died with honor. We give up many rights for the so called rights of others. Soon we will have no rights left to give up. |
| Name: | Storman Norman |
| Comments On Vet. Admin.: | SOUTHERN PRIDE D From sweet home Alabama
to the Carolina pine from From the Louisiana bayou d to the TexArkana line ,k hj Our forefathers fought for Ol Dixie h they taught us southern pride hg There has been no greater soldier k or gallant men that have died S fd fvg When Johnny came marching home v his life was shattered i And Ol STARS AND BARS j was wore and tattered i k Well I ain't no racist,ain't no biggot h Ain,t no Ku-klux- klan h but ain't nobody taking the flag yt from the SOUTHERN MAN |
| Name: | David Patrick Williams |
| E-mail address: | dpw112@aol.com |
| Comments On Vet. Admin.: | In just the last six months, I have had the honor of visiting two military cemetaries. One, the American Cemetary in Normandy, France. The other, The Confederate Cemetary in Point Lookout, Maryland.
It is the American Flag that flies in France over the graves of those that died for the country that is identified with that flag. Those that died honorably for the Confederacy, should be honored by having the flag that is identifed with the Confederacy, fly above them. When is it that honorable people choose not to honor the wishes of the dying? Generally, never. What would be thought of the individual that was advised of the reasonable dying wish of his or her mother or father . . . and then elected not to provide it? Please, if you can not see it as fit to honor those that died for the Confederate States of America with their flag, over their graves, then please choose to do so for the reason that you would find it personally dishonorable to disrespect them by flying over them, the flag that they died fighting against. Please put your personal feelings and preferences aside, and choose to put the personal feelings and preferences of those buried there ahead of all others. Do for them what you would do for your own family. It will cost you nothing. Thank you for your consideration. David Patrick Williams 4999 Linwood Street Sarasota, Florida 34232 |
| Name: | johm mcdowell |
| E-mail address: | badger707@aol.com |
| Comments On Vet. Admin.: | fly it |
| Name: | Andrew Babic |
| E-mail address: | grayghost@olg.com |
| Comments On Vet. Admin.: | What else are we to expect from liberal bureaucrats? Our government has always done injustice in one form or another to our nation's Veterans. |
| Name: | David F. Webb |
| E-mail address: | dwebb37@hotmail.com |
| Comments On Vet. Admin.: | I am first a historian, a Virginian, and American. I believe that these gentlemen interred in this cemetary should have the God given right to rest under the flag they served. I am tired of the Politicaly correct movement, who cry and wine about everything they can possibly complain about. I also dont understand why, people are so predictably ignorant of the true history of the CSA battle flag. Don't people have other things to complain about besides a flag. Well I guess thats the new America, screw tradition because God Forbid it may piss someone off !
Christ Almighty Let these guys have their flag, I think they deserve that much respect !!! |
| Name: | Laura Womack-Cromartie |
| E-mail address: | rembrant0831@juno.com |
| Comments On Vet. Admin.: | I am a decendant of a slave, raised up to respect another's views. We were taught that through prayer and compassion even those who hate the freedoms we have a right to are not less than us. We the survivors in this United States (blacks) know better than most about what happens when ones freedom is denied. Telling someone what flag can fly over a grave and where it can or can not fly is not what shows freedom, but respecting and allowing it does.
The flag flying over any confederate soldiers grave is not insulting because being a confederate like it or not, he died for his beliefs and that is suppose to be what we say this country is all about. Freedom is a gift from God for union and confederates. That does not mean that I agree with confederate policies that I grew up under, just that a confederate has a right as an American have his flag draped as well as Old Glory. |
| Name: | Billy Lee Brown |
| E-mail address: | rawhid@tds.net |
| Comments On Vet. Admin.: | It is a sad testament to veterans that the office that is to see to there needs should be so blind.Give Point Lookout there Battle Flag! |
| Name: | Nathan |
| E-mail address: | fortfisher1865@yahoo.com |
| Comments On Vet. Admin.: | As a person who had 2 Confederate ancestors who did time at Point Lookout Pen, I respectfully ask that the Battle Flag be allowed to fly over the gravesite.
I make this request in honor of my ancestors: Benedict Hood, 3rd NC Junior Reserves, died at Point Lookout on April 16, 1865 after being captured at Fort Fisher, NC. GreatX2 Uncle and Robert C. Houck, 3rd NC Junior Reserves, survived Point Lookout (Thank God, he was my GreatX2 Grandfather), captured at Fort Fisher, NC. Thank you. |
| Name: | F. O. Langston |
| E-mail address: | folangston@aol.com |
| Comments On Vet. Admin.: | As long as we keep electing these carpetbaggers in the south we will continue to deteriate. If we would join together like our enemies, we would have a chance. Keep on keeping on.
It is sad to see our ancesters treated like dogs. |
| Name: | celine c. de ruffieu |
| E-mail address: | husskitaa@crosslink.net |
| Comments On Vet. Admin.: | The atrocities committed against the Southern States is revolting. The Morgan's Mule punishment was worse than Hitler's Gas Chambers...at least, they would die...the prisoners in Chicago were so ill after such turtures that makes Hitler a saint (exageration on my part).
I have a friend that his great grandfather was at the Lookout Point Prison. Are there any medals for these men? If so, how do I find out?...by the way, I could not print your page (form) to have my friend a true honorable Virginian fill it. Can you send it to me via net.. Many thanks, Celine huskitaaQcrosslink.net |
| Name: | carolina |
| E-mail address: | j_tigger2002@hotmail.com |
| Comments On Vet. Admin.: | i would just like to say that the people have a point. how would washington feel if he couldn't have the 1st flag flown over his grave. people are taking the csa flag to far. people aren't seeing what it stood for but what others have used it for. for some of us it's part of our heritage. like or not the voice of the people will ring true. some have points. Vet. Admin if you yourself were in WWI or WWII or matter of fact any foriegn war you wouldn't want the enemies flag flying over your grave now would you. if it's all the people ask give them what they want. what harm will it do. none. |
| Name: | Bilenki, James, J, Jr. (US Navy. Retired.) |
| E-mail address: | jbil119358@aol.com |
| Comments On Vet. Admin.: | Sir's/Ladies,
Just as the American ensign flies proudly next to each states flag, so too MUST the Confederate flag be flown in those places where those HONORABLE men gave their lives for the cause they thought just. Our National Ensign must be flown there, as we're all Americans, and this IS America. But the Confederate flag must accompany the U.S. flag at all Confederate cemetaries just as the states flags do. It's the honorable thing to do, but then... who said the Veterans Administration was staffed by all honorable people. James J. Bilenki Jr. (USN. Ret.) Past member of Vincent's Brigade. Second U.S. Infantry Regiment. Union Army, Civil War Re-enactors. |
| Name: | james rahn |
| E-mail address: | jrahn@bulloch.net |
| Comments On Vet. Admin.: | confederate vets. come march with us in savannahs St. Patricks day parade saturday March,16 2002.Last year we had a great response from the crowd, this year we had unlimited opening's.We will be forming-up at 9:00 a.m. the morning of the parade.All confederates with uniforms are invited.
----------SCV camp 1901 |
| Name: | GENE LEASURE |
| E-mail address: | gleasure@hotmail.com |
| Comments On Vet. Admin.: | The continual assault on the memory of killed Confederate
soldiers and patriots in general by the United States Federal Government(The Veteran's Administration and the Judicial System ),points to the fact that war did not just end 137 years ago. The U.S. government and the special interest groups that depend on the goverment for support, will not rest until there is no positive memory left of the Confederacy and the men and woman who died for the cause of independence.The only way to combat them is to fight tooth and nail for the hearts and minds of all fair minded and freedom loving Americans.Make no mistake, the war is not over in the minds of U.S.officials.Those of us who take serious our rights guaranteed us under the original U.S. Constitution must continue to fight the tyrrany. If not, the U.S. government will not only have won the war to end Southern independence,but also the battle against honoring our Confederate ancestors and fellow Americans. |
| Name: | chris |
| E-mail address: | dunkeyfarm1@aol.com |
| Comments On Vet. Admin.: | yes the confederate dead deserve to have their battle flag flown over their graves it should be unquestionable ral.nc |
| Name: | Jilly Sanders |
| Comments On Vet. Admin.: | Great site and info. Thank You.
F Free Stuff E |
| Name: | Thomas Schneider |
| Comments On Vet. Admin.: | i'am sadden buy what goes on in this country two indiviuals who are so narrowed minded will not allow the flag of our confederate soldiers fly over there resting places.These are our beloved brothers who were treated like swine and today not having there rights honored nothing has changed what is the big deal of having there beloved flag flowing above there grave sites please.The people who make these's decisions against our brothers must think they are the almighty gods of this earth they make me sick.I'am not a well versed person but i can see what these's people are trying to do is erase from all peoples memories the confedercy but not mine only until i die. |
| Name: | JIM RICHARDS |
| E-mail address: | JRICHA1041@AOL.COM |
| Comments On Vet. Admin.: | GG GRANDFATHER BURIED AT POINT LOOKOUT. MALLOY |
| Name: | Clint Fields |
| E-mail address: | CWF80@AOL |
| Comments On Vet. Admin.: | Dear POW Organization I'am sadden to call myself an American citzen after reading what your organization is doing in Point Lookout. I'am from the state of Indiana(NORTH)of Mason Dixin Line, don't want u to think I'am just another Southern complaining. The flag should fly over the graves at Point Lookout, why u ask. Stop me if I'am wrong, wasn't the Thirteen Colonies governed by the British Empire, when we decided to rebell against are British goverment. What if America would of lost the war, do u think those men who died for the American cause would want the flag they fought for or the British flag to fly over their graves. Let me think? American Independants, Southern Independants amost 100 years apart but not much differance, in the cause that both sides where fighting for. My relatives fought for the South and they were Americans of the Southern Cause and deserve their flag to fly proudly. To deny that makes u know better then the Terriost of Sept. 11. I love America and what it stands for, but what u r doing is wrong, and Southern people r starting to speak out. Can u say SECOND CIVIL WAR. I don't care who reads this or what they think of my opinion, if u deny them their flag it's my opinion your not an American. Those men and woman died for their American Cause and they at least should be aloud to fly their beloved Southern flag above their fallen bodies. May we never forget the BRAVE!!! |
| Name: | Paul J. Qualls |
| E-mail address: | pqdo@usa.net |
| Comments On Vet. Admin.: | By not allowing the Confederate flag to fly over our ancestor's grave is completley disrespectful to them. They loved their homeland enough to fight and die for it, just like many Americans have done in the past. You are just trying to create division among people in this country. Flying this flag over their graves only stands for respect of our families that fought for what they believed in and should be reinstated out of respect for thoes who died with honor. You are a public servant, then serve the public! |
| Name: | Guy Morris |
| E-mail address: | pastgrandIOOF@aol.com |
| Comments On Vet. Admin.: | Hello: My name is Guy Morris and I live in Littleton,Colorado. I was born in Texas in 1963 and was an honorably discharged Army veteran. I'm a descendant of Private Riley Luther who served as a regimental blacksmith with Company F of the 46th North Carolina Infantry. He was captured at the Battle of Hatcher's Run in Virginia during FEB 1865. He was transported to City Point,Virginia before being imprisoned at Pt. Lookout Prison for Confederates where,unfortunately, he eventually died and was buried in a mass grave with thousands of his very courageous Southern comrades. I had another ancestor who was a prisoner during the War Between The States. His name was Thomas W. Slick and he served with Company G of the 101st Pennsylvania Infantry. Pvt. Slick was captured at Plymouth,NC and then sent to Andersonville. Very miraculously this brave man lived through this horrendous ordeal, was paroled and returned home to Bedford County,PA. Sadly though Mr. Slick died in 1889 and his devoted wife Ann died in I believe it was 1913. She most assuredly died from a broken heart from the prior death of her husband. I had uncles from Texas who served this country proudly in WW2 and Korea. Two of my cousins from Texas served the US with honor and valor in the very unpopular Vietnam War. Perhaps I was discharged from the US Army in the early 1990s but it was under honorable conditions and I was prepared to serve my country whenever and wherever needed. I guess the point I'm trying to get across here is simply this. Each and every one of these individuals interred in this Confederate cemetery were very brave and served their side with the greatest of bravery, with the utmost of distinction and were fighting for those reasons in which they firmly believed. They did what they, in their own heart, felt was the right thing to do. Who then are we to say that what they did was right or wrong? If we don't remember and honor the past then we all shall be duly condemned to repeat the past!Would it not be more fitting to remember these brave fighting men,our beloved ancestors, for the quite honorable gentlemen which they truly were? That would be better than,in effect, making them all die a second time by not allowing the glorious CSA battle flag to fly unencumbered above the final hallowed resting place of our many ancestors who hailed from the many corners of the Confederacy. They didn't fight in order that slavery might be perpetuated. Nothing could be farther from the truth than that. In fact,General Robert E. Lee was a very religious man and asked God for guidance and protection before each battle. I was raised to treat all people the way in which I would want to be treated. I have nothing but the greatest of respect and admiration for all of the countless soldiers and sailors on the Confederate and Union sides of the battlefield. The reason being that when you get right down to it.....they were all still Americans!!!We must understand that the US is truly God's favorite country. If you don't believe that then just consider the many ways in which He has and still does continually bless us. Please honorable officials of the Veteran's Administration, I'm simply asking you to be compassionate and considerate by allowing the CSA battle flag to be flown at Pt. Lookout Prison. Even if it is placed on the flag pole underneath the American Flag. All we are asking is that our lovely flag not be banned from flying above our ancestors' graves in Maryland where they were imprisoned by Fellow Americans. I would like to thank you for taking time out of your busy schedules in order that you may be allowed to have the opportunity to read this short composition of my feelings on this subject which has a very special place in my heart. |
| Name: | Diane Brooks |
| E-mail address: | swampy@swampvvitch.com |
| Comments On Vet. Admin.: | In view of the recent terrorists attacks on our country, and with respect to all those who have died, in this tragedy
I would like to say this. Those who died at the WTC, as well as those now dying or have died from anthrax, will be honored as is someone who died in the line of duty, whether in the military, or law enforcement, firefighter, or postal worker. To this I have no objection, and it is a wonderful way to remember them, as "heros". And I am certain that they will Each receive the "honor" of having a flag from their country, to commemorate their death, on their final resting places. As A nation, Flags are just about seen from every car window, antenna, (including Mine), and from every flag pole, you will see the red white and blue, flying proudly, as a sign to those who have done this horrible deed to all of us. But now I must ask this...Did not each and every one who is buried in this cemetary also die in the line of Duty? Did they not serve with pride, to their death, under horrible circumstances, for the CSA flag..which was "Their Country's Flag?" Why is it such an atrocity, for these men, women, and children who died under these horrible circumstances, to receive the same "honor", to have "Their Country's Flag", upon their final resting place? Why are these "Hero's", being denied their "right", to have the symbol that they held so dear, upon their graves? It makes me ashamed, to know there are those, who are supposed to be in the position to allow these "HEROS", to be honored with dignity, to even utter the words, I am an American, out of their mouths, and yet discriminate, against those who died for "Their Country Willingly", with out any remorse what so ever! It makes me angry, to know that even now in Their deaths...that these "True Heros", of our Country's History, are being "oppressed", by the very ones who have the Audacity, to Call themselves An American! What Hypocrits You Beauraucrats are! To deny them to have their flag, is the True Atrocity. How can you live with yourselves? To me...And I speak As a Very proud American...those responsible for taking away these HEROS Flag, are The Terrorists, and youre no better then Bin Laden Himself! Give these Heros Their DUE HONOR! Give Them Their Flag! Northern By Birth....SOUTHERN BY CHOICE! |
| Name: | Sondra Henning |
| E-mail address: | smh33@gateway.net |
| Comments On Vet. Admin.: | How shameful people value our history less than the opinions of a few. Who is anyone today to suggest that the lives of these soldiers were spent foolishly,do not deserve recognition, that their battle was lesser than any other. When we begin editing our history, symbols of our history...what meaning does/will history continue to have or be valued for if it's an incomplete history. When the few choose the appropriateness for the many, I believe that is censorship. The keeper of continued racism today, NAACP, has now made this Confederate Battle Flag a black/white issue. I had family, fought and died in that Civil War and I know they did not risk their lives for the sake of keeping a black person enslaved. How can one measure or judge the level of dicrimination, how does one determine which form of discrimination is greater, more insulting, more harmful? You have blacks, insulted and claim impeded by a flag most do not see daily, a flag that blacks have labeled with a wrong defination of it's symbolism. You also have the present generation, descendants of Civil War generations whose histories and families are entwined and resulting of southern history. Families who enrollment in Military tradition began with the 3rd great grandpa, who enlisted in Civil. The 2nd grandma, who died widow, no kids because husband killed in Civil. Social status, Bar-BQ, sweet tea, owning land, plantations, etc...
Big difference between the two groups...the folks who want the flag down never lived in Civil times, do not know that much in reality about history of this time. The folks that support the flag....too bad most are dead and can't be here to defend themselves. The generation today..generally we have more important issues to deal with than a historical flag, such as education, employment, parenting...unlike the NAACP apparently. Quite honestly, I do not think the flag issue created too much stir among flag supporters because it just seemed so ridiculous, and no one thought that anyone would dare suggest, much less agree to take it down...devaluing,insulting our history. What's next....maybe we should incorporate the flag of Africa onto our U.S. flag.....oh better yet, African Americans should get their own separate flag. Sondra Henning Charlotte, N.C. |
| Name: | R Crelin |
| E-mail address: | EMZAC@WEBTV.NET |
| Comments On Vet. Admin.: | As a veteran of the United States Military I would agree that the CSA military did not pledge allegiance to the United States and they fought for what they believed in and should be honored by the flag that they followed into battle and often times to their deaths. They are after all Americans and as such deserve the sanctity of the ground in which they rest and the belief that they died for
|
| Name: | Ron Yelton |
| E-mail address: | rony@fuse.net |
| Comments On Vet. Admin.: | Typical of U.S. government red tape B.S. The men were all residents of this country C.S.A. or U.S.A., A harmless act of taking away the Stars and Bars is just another angle of many naacp extremist who have lined the pockets of the men in power in Washington. Their goal is to make white america the Ultimate minority. I am a Yankee, but it makes me sick to see has stupid persons in authority can be. These men died for the cause they believed in. FLY THE DAMN FLAG TO HONOR THESE WARRIORS ! |
| Name: | Marti McCorkendale |
| E-mail address: | mccorkendale@juno.com |
| Comments On Vet. Admin.: | What the VA has done is dispicable. The Southern men didn't fight for the Stars and Stripes, they fought for the Stars and Bars. And for those who say the Confederacy was an illegal form of government or that the South illegally disengaged from the union, read your Constitution again pre 1860. They had every right to leave the Union. I have ancestors who fought on both sides of this war and am equally proud of both. They both answered the call to arms by their respective governments and fought and died for what they thought was right, the same as every soldier since. The Confederate veterans EARNED the right to have THEIR flag fly over their graves. Political correctness will never erase the truth of the War Between the States. |
| Name: | George Lewis |
| E-mail address: | Lewissg@bellsouth.net |
| Comments On Vet. Admin.: | The South is a subjugated nation, history is written by
the winner of battle and the U.S. writters are all using the slavery point as cause of the War of Between the States. Could it just possibly that the southerners do not like to be dictated by yankees? By not allowing the Confederate flag to be flown demostrates the Fear of the yankees of the deep seated and real anger of Southerners. The South will rise again. My state was the last to enter the Confederacy but none fought better or harder and we remember longer. |
| Name: | RICK STEPHENS |
| E-mail address: | richard.stephens@level3.com |
| Comments On Vet. Admin.: | My great great great Grandfather is buried here and there
are men from both sides here both flags should fly. The only way our children will learn is if we teach them the truth about war. I served in the US Army and I am proud of it but war is a ugly thing. We should not glorify it or ignore it. Honor those men because they fought for their cause. |
| Name: | Lee and Sheila Tate |
| E-mail address: | SandLTate@webtv.net |
| Comments On Vet. Admin.: | We were finally able to visit Point Lookout on our vacation trip last week. How saddened we were to walk into the cemetery and see the U.S. flag waving and not the Confederate flag. My heart greived for all the men buried there and it made me resent the U.S. flag...to the point that I wont ever feel the same when I see it flying. I won't be pledging alliegence to that flag anymore because it DOES NOT represent "liberty and justice for all." My pledge will be to the Confederate flag ONLY. |
| Name: | K. Kurtz |
| E-mail address: | lglassc554@aol.com |
| Comments On Vet. Admin.: | The prohibition against flying the Confederate battle flag over a cemetery filled with the graves of Confederate soldiers is incomprehensible. I am no fan of the Confederate cause and Yankee all the way. But to deny those victims of our country's greatest national tragedy the honor of lying under the symbol of their cause is petty and vicious. I can relate to the logic of removing Confederate symbols from state flags, etc. but a Confederate cemetery is certainly the one place where proud display of their flag is appropriate. The men occupying those graves lost everything. After nearly 140 years, do we still need to punish and dishonor Confederate dead? |
| Name: | David L. Richardson |
| E-mail address: | richardson.d.l@worldnet.att.net |
| Comments On Vet. Admin.: | It's amazing to me how the liberal idiots that follow like sheep can't or don't want to see through the B.S. of the Government and radical organizations like the naacp.
Obviously, they don't understand the feeling that was in the hearts of the Confederate Soldiers who fought so bravely againt overwhelming odds to defend what they believed in. Lincoln made the mistake of underestimating the willingness of the Confederates to fight, and it appears our rotten government of today and the communist liberals and naacp have made the same mistake. Many of us are still willing to die for what's right. And yes, I know the FBI may be sampling this. I was born early in the morning, but it wasn't yesterday. Let all of our veterans, black, white, yellow, and especially red (sense we stole their land), rest in peace, under the flag they chose to fight and die for! The Veterans Admin. should serve the VETS instead of special interest groups!!!!! |
| Name: | Thomas Blevins |
| E-mail address: | tomboy@kih.net |
| Comments On Vet. Admin.: | I am an american soldier I served in the Vietnam era in the army I dont believe in slavery I believe we are all god's children. All who foughtin the civil war were americans I think lets get alone and let them fly the flag at those cemetaries where confederate soldiers are buried lets not try to punish anyone any more or make them suffer.
they are In the hands of God please let them fly their flag Tom Blevins |
| Name: | Glen E. Kemp |
| E-mail address: | gekemp50@kua.net |
| Comments On Vet. Admin.: | Both my Grandfather and his Brother were captured near the end of the war and were placed here and parroled from here. I am a descendent of freedom fighters from the Revolution in 1776, 1812, W.B.T.S., Spanish American, WWI, WWII, Korea, Myself in Viet-Nam. Those Brave men who were incarcerated there at Pt. Lookout and who died there as a result of Starvation... when food was abundunt.. Of Disease when Medical help was denied..Not because of lacking but by design..From exposeure and cold when the guards were warm....Now you would deny them their Flag...AS a Veteran I want you TERMINATED from your Position...YOU ARE A DISGRACE!
GLen E. Kemp Commander 2nd Florida Cavalry CSA Camp 1903 ST. Cloud, Fl. |
| Name: | Gene Leasure |
| Comments On Vet. Admin.: | It appears Elizabeth and Bruce are products of a one sided
history education. Our original federal government was formed under the "Articles of Confederation". This form of government specifically did not allow any one of the 13 original states to leave the compact voluntarily. However, after several years of political upheaval,each one did just that.No federal militia entered Pennsylvania ,Maryland or any of the remaining 13 states to force them back into the compact.Those that drafted the "Articles" had a greater respect for the"Declaration of Independence" than their political offspring of 1861. There was nothing in the original" U.S. Constitution" that required each state to remain in the Union for perpetuity.The southern states did nothing different than their predecessors of the 1780's except that they chose not to rejoin the U.S. government, after making the decision to leave the Union. The Confederacy made no threats or attempts to overthrow the U.S. government,at any time.The clear aggressors in the"War for Southern Independence" were Lincoln and the northern radical Republicans.To the victors go the spoils of war,including brainwashing. The brave Confederate soldiers buried at Point Lookout deserve to have their flag flying over their graves.To those fighting for them ,keep up the hard fight,you would make them proud.To Bruce and Elizabeth ,your innacurate statements can be overcome by returning to the library.There is a great deal of impartial information, that can broaden your understanding of the conflict. |
| Name: | Charles Wallace |
| E-mail address: | candj78@airmail.net |
| Comments On Vet. Admin.: | My gr gr grandfather Richard Elijah Clark served with the
8th MO. Confederate infantry.He was captured and placed in Point lookout Md. He survived the war and is burried in the McLeroy B Cemetery in Pocahontas Ark. He has a bronze soldiers toombstone stateing he served with the Confederate army from 1862-1865 and it was placed there by The American Veterans Admin. GO FIGURE. Now Confederate soldiers are considered American Veterans but still the flag issue? Sincerely Charles Wallace Purdon,Tx, candj78@airmail.net |
| Name: | Brian E. Orgeron |
| E-mail address: | borgeron@earthlink.net |
| Comments On Vet. Admin.: | After reading several asinine comments made by people who
don't know much about this part of history I feel that I must respond. The Confederate flag SHOULD fly over the graves of the long dead men no matter which "country" owns the land! These people lost their homes, and their lives because of a NAZI style government that defied it's own constitution by forcing the Confederate State back into the union at the point of a bloody bayonet (can anyone say Poland in 1938?). People such as Bruce who think that the Confederate States was "NEVER a country or nation" show their complete ignorance of history, and constitutional law! These brave men were systematical murdered by a government that refused them the right of self government, but was hypocritical enough to call its self "a government of for and by the people." The refusal to fly the Confederate flag is more of the same old bull, and is no better than ethnic cleansing! Those who disagree with flying the flag are promoting NAZI style murder of an entire culture, and to them I say. Keep an eye on your own back yard, because your history, and heritage are next. "When they came for the neighbor down the street I did nothing. When they came for the friend next door I did nothing. Now they come from me!" |
| Name: | Elizabeth O'Connor |
| E-mail address: | eoconno1@bellsouth.net |
| Comments On Vet. Admin.: | The only flag that should be flown over the graves of
soldiers is the flag of the country who "owns" the ground, and that is solely at the pleasure of that nation's government. Please read my entire position before you respond either in agreement or disagreement. My views on which flag to fly over this cemetary do not represent my views on the patriotism, "rightness", or "wrongness" of the positions adopted by each side in the conflict. In the case of our military cemetaries overseas, the governments whose political boundaries encompass these cemetaries have elected to recognize the "purchase" of those graves by the blood of the soldiers of the United States of America. These nations recognize that our soldiers died meeting the obligations of treaties entered into by the United States, not as hired mercenaries working for the highest bidder. Out of gratitude for our sacrifice, these nations allow the United States flag to be flown over our graves. They are under no legal obligation to do this unless it was agreed to by treaty or terms of surrender. The argument made by some visitors to these pages that the soldiers of the Confederate States of America are entitled to have any of the Confederate flags flown over their cemetaries is faulty. If the argument is based on the premise that the Confederacy was a lawful American government, that is obviously false. The Confederate States of America was a sizeable group that split away from the United States of America, without the consent of the United States of America and without respect for the legal or political procedures of United States of America. In that respect, the Confederate States of America was an illegal and therefore unrecognized government. A soldier has no right or obligation to spend eternity in a cemetary with the flag of a "non-government" flying over it. Some people will claim that the Confederate States of America was a legitimate foreign government. I like this position even less. Even if the claim was true, this doesn't entitle these dead soldiers to rest under their flag. This position must label these Confederate soldiers as "foreign aggressors" who brought unimagineable horror, bloodshed and sorrow to our nation. Perhaps millions of soldiers and citizens from foreign, sovereign nations lie buried in our soil as a direct result of conflict with the United States of America or our colonial forefathers. To my knowledge, none of them are buried in a cemetary guarded by the flags they fought for. These wars range from the earliest conflicts with the Indian Nations right on through at least World War II. Many Nazi prisoners of war were imprisoned in the United States. Some of them died and are buried here. No Nazi or German flags guard their graves. The WW II POW graves on Ft. Leavenworth don't have any flag at all over them. They await the Final Judgement on an obscure, lonely patch of ground, noticed only by joggers, coyotes and convicts. The only indication of their allegiance is engraved on their tombstones. In time, even this will vanish. They are entitled to no more. The soldiers in Ft. Leavenworth's National Cemetary are buried with honor, ceremony and visibility. They are scrupulously cared for. They are entitled to no less. The care bestowed on the dead soldiers of the Confederacy speaks volumes about the capacity of the American people to forgive and extend our hands to each other. This is true of the soldiers and citizens from both sides of this war. The families of those Confederate soldiers saw fit to allow them to remain gathered in this place. We are fortunate to be able to visit them through the years and ponder their courage and sacrifice. We treasure them and work diligently to safeguard their remains. We need to respect the decision those families made, for they seem to be wiser than we are today. They knew that the "Yankee" flag flying over the cemetary didn't make the ground any less precious. Why is that so hard for us to realize today? |
| Name: | Bruce |
| E-mail address: | badull@hotmail.com |
| Comments On Vet. Admin.: | I am in total agreement of the decision NOT to fly the
Confederate Flag of any kind. To me, the the American flag and ONLY the US Stars and stripes, represents the HERITAGE of America. The South was NEVER a country or nation. The Confederate collection of flags represent only 5 years of American history when men decided that they didn't like the roles their fathers agreed to in order to be apart of the Greatest Nation on earth. They chose to stand and fight in open rebelion against the duely authorized government of these United States. I would be no less infuriated to see the Crooked Cross or Rising Sun fly anywhere in the US. The Stars and Strips represent heritage, the Confederate Battle flag represents traitors to the Constitution and a group of men who bore arms against Americans, her flag and her soil, all for the self satisfaction of preserving a state of self indulgment at the expense of slavery. |
| Name: | M. McGlothlen |
| E-mail address: | goodguys@lisco.com |
| Comments On Vet. Admin.: | I hope the Vet. Admin./cemetery provides armed escorts for
YANKEES, after seeing how much you Southerners HATE us!!! I had no control over where, in North America, I was born! I'm related to President Jefferson Davis! Where does that put me? (With my Heart in Dixie, and my butt "kicked- out???") I was of the opinion that the battle flag SHOULD fly over the cemetery, but after reading many of the comments on this site, it sounds as if many southern folks TRUE REASON for FLYING THE BATTLE FLAG,is LESS than to "HONOR" brave, God-fearing men who died for their PRINCIPLES or VALUES,....... than to vent a deep-seated "frustration" over PRESENT DAY "GLOBAL" POLITICS! YES, the flag SHOULD fly over the graves, for, it appears, the BEST of SOUTHERN MANHOOD was ANNIHILATED in that.........(Is there a separate "Confederate- Heaven?")..."APPLES vs. ORANGES" UNGODLY WAR! (i.e. "GODLY Anti-slavery", VS. "GODLY State's rights".) God Bless America!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! P.S. Do Hitler's Nazi Flags fly over German soldiers who died in U.S. prison camps, and are buried in the USA ? |
| Name: | Scott Shepherd |
| E-mail address: | lonewhitewolf@webtv.net |
| Comments On Vet. Admin.: | We are sick and tired of the attacks on the Confederate Flag and Southern
Right's as well as other Southern Symbols!!! I am a proud Southerner and with strong Southern beliefs, and it makes me sick, to see other's just sit and watch, as our right's are being taking from us. I refuse to stand by and see this happen, without a fight. Thank you for allowing me, the chance to voice my thought's on this issue. And for the other's, get off your butt's and do what is right for our Southern Right's, SAVE THEM NOW!!!!! SCOTT SHEPHERD MISSISSIPPI |
| Name: | philip snell |
| E-mail address: | swillis@ec.rr.com |
| Comments On Vet. Admin.: | I feel that the removal of the Confederate flag from the
grave of my great-great grandfather P. H. Massey is just another mean and calloused act, done to him and his fellow soldiers who already had been so terribly treated by the prison's authorities. By this act, the Veterans Admn. has proven themselves to be no better than the criminals who ran this "concentration camp" in the 1860's. These brave and dedicated men, who refused to take the "oath of allegiance" of a government they deemed overbearing and aggressive, that sought to remove their rights, still hold their heads high. The VA's final desecration to their tor- tured and rotting bodies is validation that their cause was just. I am a U.S. citizen, whose ancestor's fought in every war this country has been involved in. That their efforts were not in vain, I beseech the government of this great land, to step in and right this wrong. Put the flag that these men fought for back over their mortal body's resting place. In God's name, be better than your predacessors of the 1860's. |
| Name: | Ronald R. Goodwin |
| E-mail address: | ron_n_ruth@core.com |
| Comments On Vet. Admin.: | I find it amazing that the Federal government, which by the
Constitution has no authority in any matter regarding the Confederate Battle Flag or any other flag of the Confederate States of America finds itself kow-towing to the demands of an organization that at one time advocated the overthrow of that same government. When the rights of the individual are deprived by a government, when the rights of small groups of individuals are deprived by a government, when the rights of peoples of a kind are deprived by a government, then democracy is dead. In our country, democracy died many many years ago. Only now is its corpse starting to stink to heaven. Restore the flag that these men fought and died for. Restore the heritage of a majority of the southern people. When the heritage and history of the people is gone, then that society is doomed and shall die as surely as if the conspirators knife had cut its heart out. When all traces of the American Civil War are destroyed by a very small number of racists, then America will be set to face another civil war. If we can not learn from our history, we are doomed to repeat it. |
| Name: | William Lewis |
| E-mail address: | bl422@aol.com |
| Comments On Vet. Admin.: | My great grandfather John Calhoun Tee was a great gentleman
and I think his grave should be honored by the confederate flag being allowed on to fly on his grave. He was wounded in the civil war and spent a part of his time in the prison at Point Lookout in Md. This was my maternal grandmother's father. Her husbands father fought in the Union Army and he would have felt the same as I do. Politicians are too wimpy and only care about their image and not the peoples love and desire for fairness from the government. There men on both sides were mostly from average homes leaving their love ones and many never to return. They deserve our admiration for their love for their beliefs and the cost they paid for that love. |
| Name: | Thomas A. Brown |
| E-mail address: | Rebelhawker@aol.com |
| Comments On Vet. Admin.: | I can't understand why the Federal Government is so
concerned with the Confederate Movement in the South. Every time I turn around they are doing something to provoke it! My 5th Great-Grandfather fought for the independence of this nation against England. He is listed on the DAR rostem of honor. How do you justify rebellion against England, but you will not recognize the Southerners fight for independence. Do you think we should put the British flag over my revolutionary war ancestors grave? No, an American flag flies over him, as it should. Two graves over from him rests his Grandson, a Confederate veteran from Mississippi. A Confederate Battle flag flies over him. Now, to the Pt. Lookout issue: My GreatGrandfather, Henry Clay Brown spent nearly two years of Hell at that concentration camp! He survived, but was never able to return to farming again. He finally recieved his pension in 1909, and died in 1910. What a disgrace! He will always live in my heart, as will the other 53 members of my family who fought for Dixie! By the way, we had a 96% mortallity rate. I love them all. And if the day ever comes, and I'm still alive, I will do it all over again for Dixie! I command you in the name of Jesus Christ, my Savior to put the Battle Flag back! My prayers will be that you have no peace until you do so! Thomas A. Brown-Un-reconstructed Southerner,Pt. Lookout POW Descendants Org. member, Sons of Confederate Veterans member,and League of the South member. "Deo Vindice" "Pro Libertate" |
| Name: | Rodney Furr |
| E-mail address: | RFurr@webtv.net |
| Comments On Vet. Admin.: | By not allowing the Confederate flag to fly over our ancestor's grave is completley disrespectful to them. They loved their homeland enough to fight and die for it, just like many Americans have done in the past. You are just trying to create division among people in this country. Don't be part of the problem. Be part of the solution and allow that great flag for Southern Independence fly again.
Sincerely, Rodney |
| Name: | Tim Joynt |
| Comments On Vet. Admin.: | I feel that it is a disgrace to the United States to not
honor the Confederate Soldiers that gave "The last full measure" of their lives during the Civil War. Although some feel that this has been done to cover up our civil strife and internal differences from the rest of the world. I feel that it is morally reprehensible to not honor Men and Woman of both sides and we should alow for total recognition of all who gave their lives, North and South. Yes One Nation, but we cannot ever forget how close it was to being two. Please make it right. |
| Name: | Eric Patterson |
| E-mail address: | mail.for.eric@juno.com |
| Comments On Vet. Admin.: | Roger Rapp and Robin Pohlman, you are obviously
acting out your own personal agenda. You cannot hide behind the VA regulations that you have distorted to suit your own wishes. Your tactics are reminiscent of Eastern Bloc bureaucrats who sought to cleanse history of those things they objected to. A nation that is secure in what it stands for does not have to resort to hiding its history. It is actions such as this that serve to preserve the division of regional cultures and peoples. You may as well rename the cemetary in your care to "The Point Lookout Prison" since it is obvious these men are still thought of by you as POWs of the United States. What is it that motivates people like you to continually provoke us Southerners who continue to honor our ancestors and our heritage? As those who continue to openly show their contempt for the South are so fond of saying, "The War is over, get over it." Like it or not, these soldiers were not citizens of the United States of America, but were citizens of the Confederate States of America. They are foreign nationals buried on United States soil. Joint Senate Resolution No. 41 of March 2, 1928 plainly states this. Your actions defy both common sense and common decency. I do not normally address others in such a tone, but you yourselves have set the tone. Eric Patterson |
| Name: | John S. Clark |
| E-mail address: | jscatlanta@aol.com |
| Comments On Vet. Admin.: | Dear Mr. Rapp,
My family and I are saddened to learn that the CSA flag was removed from the Point Lookout Priosn site in Maryland. Our ancestor, Pvt. John Manning Garrett of the 31st Georgia Infantry was a prisoner at Point Lookout Prison for 6 months in late 1864 and early 1865. He survived the squalid conditions of the prison and retuned home to Georgia where he was a productive and well respected American citizen. He lost his 2 brothers in the war. He was not a slave owner but a poor farmer from the rural south as were most of the men who served the CSA. I will be the first to tell you that the Civil War was horrible. Attrocities commited against people of all races and walks of life during that time in our history were deplorable. I am not in favor of the CSA flag flying over state capitols - only the US and state flags should be there. However, that flag is certainly appropriate as a memorial and the thousands of Americans who died under it deserve to be remembered. To lower it is an affront to their memory and a violation of the equal rights given to all Americans under the Constitution. Sir, if you are going to keep that flag lowered then I ask you to be fair about it. Tear down all of our memorials; Washington and Jefferson both were slave owners so tear theirs down, get rid of our war memorials because if we are going to erase the Civil War from our history then lets erase all other wars in which Americans fought, killed and died. Take down the memorials to our fallen police officers because we can't be reminded of crime if we're trying to rid society of infidels past. I believe I am correct in asserting that people were enslaved under the American flag during our history as well so we'll need that to come down too. And let's not forget what was done to Native Americans under the US flag. What hypocracy that the army claiming to have freed the slaves slaughtered the Indians. Furthermore, what about those who claim a flag is just a piece of cloth in their argument to favor burning the American flag in protest - if a flag is only a piece of cloth then why should anyone care that the Confederate flag flies? It's fine to burn the American flag but heaven forbid the existence of the Confederate flag in our society. Mr. Rapp I am sure you are familier with the term "if we forget history then we are doomed to repeat it". The Civil War did happen and nothing we do now can change that. That flag serves as a powerful tool for remembrance. It reminds us that we can never let such events occur again, it reminds us that as Americans we are granted freedoms of speech and expression and it commits to memory the lives of those men who gave their lives fighting for a cause they thought was right. Not the right to own other men - that is not right - but rather protecting often meager existences from those who they thought might take it away. The men lying at Point Lookout today never saw their families or homes again. They were God's creatures who died all alone in a far away place filled with suffering. Isn't that enough of a waste? Please don't waste the opportunity to properly memorialize them. Do not undervalue their existence further by removing that flag. Thank you for your time and consideration. John S. Clark jscatlanta@aol.com |
| Name: | Sheralene Thompson |
| E-mail address: | woodsy@vnet.net |
| Comments On Vet. Admin.: | I think the Confederate Flag should be allowed. Lots of
people gave their lives carrying that flag. It should fly in memory of them. I had an ancestor who fought and was wounded at Gettysburg. He was captured on July 5th and sent first to Ft. Delaware and then to Point Lookout, where in January of 1864 he took the oath and attempted to join the 1st. US Volunteers, however due to injuries from the war he was rejected for service. He also tried to join the US Navy. I am not against the United States Flag, but we should be able to allow the Confederate flag to fly, so that people will understand that Southerners (and some Northerners) fought and died under that flag (some even being disillusioned with the Confederacy), and it should be allowed to fly for their memory and we should NOT be ashamed of it. |
| Name: | Charles H. Weems |
| E-mail address: | cweems@postmark.net |
| Comments On Vet. Admin.: | My Dear Sir!
Allow me a few moments of your time; My name is Charles F. Weems. If you would care to check it out ,both my Granfathers,father Charles H. Weems and cousin J. Weems were incarcerated at this facility. My Ggrandfather made it out alive , but his cousin did not. He being buried there,has to endure the indignity of having the flag of the "enemy"flyig over his grave. I for one understand the meanig of this gloating symbloism. I fought for this country for 4 years in Viet -Nam. "When I go," I certainly hope that some well meaning soul does not fly the Viet Cong Flag over my grave. But that's very likely to happen, due to political correctness and touchy feely attitude of today's society .If the decision of the flag is a monetary issue as you expressed,I do make this pledge now to you to bear the expense of the upkeep for flying our flag. Charles Weems Eltopia, Washington . |
| Name: | Andrew Burnham |
| E-mail address: | A_burnham@hotmail |
| Comments On Vet. Admin.: | I really dont know who is going to read this letter but i
really like to get to the point.i got an e-mail today that said. should the battle flag be taken down.well here's what i think it should be fling to represent that our grandfathers fought for what they belived in and they defended it to the best of their knowledge that they knew. and for future purposes to let our kids know what the true meaning of the battle flag. |
| Name: | Sharon |
| E-mail address: | skgriss@bellsouth.net |
| Comments On Vet. Admin.: | Being a northerner, and certainly not an advocate of slavery
I think history should not be changed by leaving out the flag that men fought under. We may be ashamed of our history in this war but I think we can only learn from the past. If we don't learn from it we are doomed to repeat the pattern. Let the battle flag fly, and may it remind our nation that we can be devided, let us stand together in memory of all who have gone before. |
| Name: | Lionel Lee Burch |
| E-mail address: | southerndreamer@earthlink.net |
| Comments On Vet. Admin.: | Only those who do not appreciate the enormous sacrifices
made by our forefathers could consider bowing down to hate groups such as the National Association Advancement Complainin People and ACLU and removing such a sacred symbol as the flag our patriots fought and died for. Only in our great country could such desecration occur! I demand that anyone who represents me, my ancestors, and my country place the flag back where it belongs, at the head orf those who gave all for it and for us! |
| Name: | JOEL E. HEWITT |
| E-mail address: | JHEWITT55@AOL.COM |
| Comments On Vet. Admin.: | It is an absolute disgrace NOT having the flag or flags
those guys fought under flying over their graves. Would the family of a US vet want the Japan of Nazi flags or emblems flying over their graves? I THINK NOT ! |
| Name: | Kent S. Kelley |
| E-mail address: | sonday1@webtv.net |
| Comments On Vet. Admin.: | Sir,
It is with great disgussed that I heard about your removal of the "CONFEDERATE" Battleflag honoring the 14,000+ "CONFEDERATE" soldiers; who served valiantly in the "CONFEDERATE" army, and who died while captive at Pointlookout.This "act",to those of us who hold there "CONFEDERATE" ancestry dear as I do, is beyond reason. To me and the 93% of the people who signed your questionaire in "FAVOR" of keeping the Battleflag that honors "CONFEDERATE" dead, is an "act" equivalent of putting Japanese flags over the graves of the U.S. soldiers who served in WWII; as the Japanese flag was the flag of the ENEMY of those who served in WWII. And having the U.S. Flag flying over "CONFEDERATES" whose ENEMY was the U.S. is the same thing. Please reconsider your "motives" for the removal of the "CONFEDERATE" flag which honors "CONFEDERATE" dead at Pointlookout Confederately, Kent S. Kelley |
| Name: | Mitch Terry |
| E-mail address: | thebreeze1963@aol.com |
| Comments On Vet. Admin.: | I find it to be very disrespectful to remove the
confederate flag from the point lookout cemetary. Those dead solders believed in the cause they were fighting for enough to give their life and they did. That alone deserves respect. Enough is enough. I'm sick and tired of all this pollitical correct bull. the men and women that fought in ww1 ww2 and the other wars are not having the stars and stripes ( the flag they fought under) removed from their cemetary so why remove the flag the honorable confederate soilders fought under. It is a disgrace and you should be ashamed. I think you should find out the truth about what the civil war was really about before you disgrace the honorable soldiers of that war. find out the truth for yourself check out www.37thtexas.org thank you for your time Mitch Terry P.S. THE SOUTH WAS RIGHT |
| Name: | Joe Langley |
| E-mail address: | joelang@pineland.net |
| Comments On Vet. Admin.: | To WHOM IT MAY CONCERN, I respectfully request the flag
of the Confederate soldier, the StAndrews Cross be returned to the graves of those brave Confederate Americans who fought and sacrificed all for their cause.Decedents of these brave and honorable men have fought and died in all the wars the US has been involved in. This country owes them. Sincerely Joe Langley |
| Name: | Larry Nordvig |
| E-mail address: | Larrynordvig@aol.com |
| Comments On Vet. Admin.: | Dear Officials of the Veteran's Administration,
I was very disappointed to learn of your policy which does not allow the Confederate battle flag to be flown at the Point Lookout facility. The flag belongs there, as a tribute to American soldiers who gave their lives when asked to do so. Unless one is completely ignorant of history, or biased by civil rights actions which took place a century after the fact, the valor, courage, and devotion to duty exhibited by these men is without parallel. The battle flag is an American flag to be honored and proudly displayed in its proper historical context. It is their facility, their graves, and their right to be honored by resting under their flag. Sincerely, Larry Nordvig LCDR, USN (ret.) Veteran! |
| Name: | Paul & Sandy Mott |
| E-mail address: | mottp@aol.com |
| Comments On Vet. Admin.: | On behalf of all descendants of Confederate Veterans, both
black and white, we urge the return of the Confederate Battle flag to the Pt. Lookout Confederate Cemetery. It is right and proper to honor these veterans who were citizens of the Confederate States of America with the flag for which they gave their lives. Flying the flag in Pt. Lookout Confederate Cemetery, where only Confederates are buried, is historically correct, and should in no way be considered anything more than an acknowledgement of the true history of the 1861-1865 conflcit. Any attempt to rewrite history is a failure to be truthful about the past. Once history re-writing is begun - where does it stop? In the future, could a "politically correct" attitude do away with flying the American Flag to honor World War I & II veterans? We urge the Veterans Administration to take a firm stand in favor of preserving our history exactly as it happened, do the honorable thing and return the Confederate Battle Flag to Pt. Lookout Confederate Cemetery. Paul & Sandy Mott |
| Name: | Dan Coleman |
| E-mail address: | dancoleman@mindspring.com |
| Comments On Vet. Admin.: | Gentlemen:
I am more & more distressed over the P/C movement that has invaded our government. You are paid by the citizens to do your jobs for all the people. Your decision that deceased Confederate soldiers should have their enemy's flag fly over them is a slap in the face to their ancestors. Southerners are good U.S. citizens. Look at your VA records. Remember Alvin York & Audie Murphey? We should be able to honor our ancestors as others wish to honor theirs. |
| Name: | Patrick H. Gibson |
| E-mail address: | phygibsonscv@juno.com |
| Comments On Vet. Admin.: | The term "Veterans Administration" is poorly named. It is
more accurately the "Federal Administration for the Control of Veterans". Certainly, based on what the VA does, this title is more accurate. The VA can help veterans but it often ignores and/or denies them help or due respect. Concerning Point Lookout POW Cemetery, the VA is taking control of a cemetery which it should not have the power to control, since "federal soldiers" are not buried there. It has TAKEN power over this cemetery because it (VA) wants to regulate the maintenance and ceremonies which have been conducted there. This is another example of the abuse of |