Editor:

Those who are on a (self-righteous) confederate destruction crusade need to look at the Civil War through the eyes of visitors. Although many famous battles were fought outside of Virginia, this state is truly the embodiment of the Civil War and the  confederacy.

People from across America (including foreign countries) interested in Civil War history travel thousands of miles to see historic sites in this state. The monuments and flags that represent the confederacy are sought out and expected by those who don’t live here.

When “out-of-state” people see historic landmarks relating to the Civil War, they flock to them to have their pictures taken next to them. People who were born and raised here don’t seem to place the same value on Civil War history. Locals hurriedly drive through Appomattox and hardly give that area a second thought. Those interested in history or who’ve seen the Ken Burns account of the Civil War are spell bound by Appomattox — as if standing on holy ground.

Meanwhile, those who live here and/or hold Civil War monuments in contempt (wanting them removed) are killing the goose that lays golden eggs. What visitors travel long distances and pay big money to see is being systematically eradicated! Banishing Civil War monuments across the South has suddenly become a frenzied epidemic. This behavior could be likened to the zealot ISIS fighters in Iraq who delight in destroying priceless statues of ancient history, or even Hitler’s book burning campaign.

Karl Schmidt

Farmville