To the Editor,

Along with additional forts and other military installations, the federal government is in the process of changing the names of Forts Bragg and Bennington.  Given that these are named after generals in the Confederacy, at first glance, it seems the right thing to do.  That said, however, the naming was based upon the concept of reconciliation.  Plain and simple, the Civil War was devastating to both sides.  It would seem, then, to make sense that the intent in 1865 was in keeping with Lincoln’s immortal Second Inaugural’s words, “…with malice toward none, and with charity for all…”

What doesn’t make sense now, over 150 years later, is the estimated cost, upwards of $21 million, that renaming entails.  (The decision was the result of a defense bill amendment proposed in 2020.)  Considering the fact that the Veterans Administration has been notoriously lax in providing quality assistance to physically and mentally disabled veterans, shouldn’t these millions be better allocated to improved medical and hospital care?

We have managed to reconcile with Germany and Japan.  Why not accept the reconciliation effort post-Civil War?  Rather than worrying that the Confederate generals be dishonored by changing the forts’ names, why not honor ALL our veterans with the acknowledgment that their well-being is our priority?

Let our history remain our history.  Let’s do the right thing now!

Joan Foley

Warwick