Aug 22, 2017 2 min read

I was deeply offended by a recent letter to the editor claiming that the 1 million men who served in the Confederate Army and the 483,000 who died did so as an act of treason.

As a former serviceman and a veteran of the Vietnam War, I know only too well that military service during those times was compulsory. The 11 Confederate states and 23 Union states raised armies and sent them to war. The average Civil War soldier only knew they were fighting to free the slaves, preserve the Union, preserve slavery or for states’ rights. The average soldier on either side probably had no say in the matter.

Don’t blame those who fought and died because of their birthplaces. To do so is showing great dishonor by calling them traitors.

There are over 1,500 Confederate symbols across America. If they must be removed, they should be placed in a private museum. Why offend or incite violence? You cannot change or ignore history. Learn about history, discuss and accept the viewpoints of others. Don’t try to change minds by violent protest.

Are we destined to pull down statues today and burn books tomorrow?

George T. Prevuznik

Washington