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Board questions funding Confederate statue celebration
They strolled in donning bonnets, but left without the money.
Members of the United Daughters of the Confederacy received a chilly response from the Board of Supervisors on April 15 after asking supervisors to help pay for a celebration for a Confederate monument in Leesburg.
“The first thing I see is the statue of a Confederate soldier pointing a gun a me,” said Supervisor Stevens Miller (D-Dulles). “So I definitely have some questions about this.”
Called the Silent Sentinel, the monument is a greenish-brown statue of a Confederate soldier perched atop a nearly 7-foot-tall pedestal. Created by Frederick William Sievers and unveiled in May 1908, the statue stands in front of the historic county courthouse in downtown Leesburg. In 2006, vandals broke off the barrel of the soldier's rifle. It was soldered back on last summer.
To mark the county-owned monument's 100th anniversary, the United Daughters of the Confederacy is planning a celebration May 31 in Leesburg, featuring music, people in period clothing and a horse-drawn float. Cost of the event is estimated at $6,300, $3,300 more than what the group is able to pay. The group is also funding a $10,000 restoration of the monument.
“I was kind of taken aback by that response,” said Becky Fleming, of Round Hill, who appeared at Tuesday's board meeting with fellow United Daughter of the Confederacy member Melanie Torrance in Civil War-era garb. “He's not pointing the gun at anyone.”
For the record, the soldier is holding the rifle at his hip. Its barrel is pointed slightly skyward.
Fleming said since many of the group's members are elderly, it's difficult to hold fundraisers, which is why they came to the board for help. However, in the midst of a tight budget year, supervisors have been reluctant to set money aside for non-essential matters.
Outside the board room, Supervisor Kelly Burk (D-Leesburg) said equal billing for both sides of the war might go a long way toward convincing the board to hand over the money.
“Isn't there a Union location that could also be heralded,” she said. “Let's celebrate all veterans.”
Supervisors decided to send the request to its finance/government services and operations committee meeting on May 7 for further discussion.
Contact the reporter at jjacks@timespapers.com
I'm so sick of everyone having to be "politically correct" lately. Virginia was a confederate state so I have no problems with the statue. Besides, didn't Lincoln say something about not pleasing all the people all the time?
Posted by Waya
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The quotes made me believe I was reading the onion.
Posted by Brit
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As an eighth generation Loudouner, I am completely disheartened by this article. How is celebrating someone’s Southern Heritage any different than other organizations celebrating theirs? Why do some organizations have the right to celebrate their heritage unquestioningly while others like the UDC are questioned or told that they are offending someone when they want to honor their ancestors? Everyone should have the right to celebrate their heritage even if others disagree with it.
If it were not for our veterans, Americans would not have the right to celebrate their heritage or have the right to freedom of speech. I am truly sorry for Mr. Miller if all he sees when he looks at the monument is a “Confederate soldier pointing a gun at me.” Maybe he should rethink being offended by this and thank all our veterans for having the guts to stand up and hold a weapon to protect this nation and hence protect him. For it is the veterans of this country who have fought for the freedoms we have today as well as our soldiers who are currently fighting to continue to protect those freedoms. We owe them the dignity and respect they deserve.
In response to Ms. Burk’s comment about “equal billing for both sides”, if this is so offensive to her, maybe she should consider raising funds to erect a Union monument. In 100 years we can have a celebration and re-dedicate it. I will be happy to contribute some funds. I am not aware of a Union monument in the county turning 100 years old this year. If there is one, then maybe someone should organize a re-dedication ceremony for it, perhaps Ms. Burk would like to be in charge of that. In case anyone has forgotten, Memorial Day is right around the corner. On Memorial Day the entire country “celebrates all veterans”.
I like the other respondents comment about Lincoln and his statement that “You can’t please all the people all the time.” How did we get to the point in this country where there are so many people thinking that you have to please all the people all the time? Why? Why do we have to please everyone? It is impossible to do. This country is made up of people from many backgrounds and different beliefs. There is always going to be disagreement. If you don’t like what you see on television, then turn the channel. If you don’t like to see a Nativity Scene in front of a church at Christmas, then don’t look at it. You shouldn’t have the right to stop others from celebrating something just because you disagree with them or because it offends you.
If someone is offended by the United Daughters of the Confederacy celebrating a statue that their organization paid for and erected 100 years ago then all I have to say to them is don’t pay any attention to it. Get over it, worry about yourself and mind your own business.
Posted by loudouner
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Mr. Miller, I pity you, if all you see when you look at the Silent Sentinel is “a Confederate soldier pointing a gun at me.” Is that what you see at all war memorials or just the Confederate ones? As the son of a naval officer, you should know how to show more gratitude to the men and women who have served our country. Or does the Civil War not count for you? Perhaps you simply have no understanding of the Southern roots and heritage of Loudoun County.
As someone who can trace her roots to the Civil War and beyond in this county, (and not a member of the UDC) I am well aware of the role the Civil War has played in our history. How many members of the Board have simply stopped and read the many gray historical markers that dot our local highways referencing the Civil War in our county? Take a ride along Route 15 some day for a small sample. Many people follow General Lee’s route into Loudoun County and through Leesburg on his way northward. This, Mr. Miller, brings revenue to our county.
As you travel north, there are many towns and cities that have monuments to their Union soldiers. We should care about our Confederate monuments just the same. The Board should help support the ladies of the UDC. Besides, they did spend $10,000 restoring the statue, a job the county should have done SOMETIME in the last 100 years. A lot of money is allocated every year by the Board for worthless projects. Why not spend a little money on our heritage? Apparently, there are quite a few people unaware of the history here in Loudoun. For example, Mrs. Burk, in your outwardly political correct way of attempting to treat all equally, fail to understand that you will probably not find much in the way of a Union monument in a Confederate territory. You will be hard pressed to find many Union Veterans from Loudoun County. Virginia and Loudoun are Southern! This seems to be a little known fact as of lately.
The Board needs to quit hiding behind what they perceive as politically correct and recognize the history of the county they were elected to represent.
Finally, for the record, the soldier is pointing his rifle skyward, so you need not feel threatened, Mr. Miller.
Wendy Heuer
Purcellville
Posted by wheuer
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