Thompson: it’s time to rename military bases named for Confederate figures
Rep. Mike Thompson, whose Fifth District includes the Sonoma Valley, today joined 21 other members of Congress in calling for the renaming of military installations across the country that are named for Confederate figures.
The letter to Secretary of Defense James Mattis includes House Armed Services Committee Ranking Member Adam Smith (WA-09).
“As a veteran, I know what a high honor it is to have military installations named for heroic Americans,” Thompson said. “It is an honor that no Confederate figure should enjoy. Their actions and ideology were repugnant and they should not be celebrated by the country they fought to dissolve.”
The 22 Members note that these installations are named for individuals who do not represent the best of the United States Military, and they call on Secretary Mattis to use his power as the Secretary of Defense to rename the installations.
“Several of our installations bear the name of figures who fought against our Nation as part of the Confederacy,” the letter states. “These designations only serve to promote a dark and divisive time in our history and do not uphold the best of our country.”
In the letter, the Members also commit to working with Secretary Mattis to ensure he has the necessary resources to “begin a process to reevaluate the naming of these installations and develop a plan to rename them to better honor the true spirit of our nation.”
The United States currently operates 10 military installations across the country named for Confederate figures: Camp Beauregard, LA; Fort A.P. Hill, VA; Fort Benning, GA; Fort Bragg, NC; Fort Gordon, GA; Fort Hood, TX; Fort Lee, VA; Fort Pickett, VA; Fort Polk, LA; and Fort Rucker, AL.
4 thoughts on “Thompson: it’s time to rename military bases named for Confederate figures”
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I have a better idea, fire all the fools that want to change history. These politicians are delusional. Next they’ll want to destroy Mount Rushmore, Washington Monument and many more historical symbols. Time to get serious about what direction we’re being led in with these stupid acts.
Wholeheartedly agree with #1.
This is ridiculous, absolutely ridiculous, and another reason why we’re considering getting out of Sonoma & California. This town and this state have gone bonkers.
Good idea. Leave now.
We have an increasing national debt .Bridges and roads needing massive renovation . People with not so much as a roof , many of them squirting out 4 and 5 kids that are needing education , and medical care .Nuclear waste that no one seems to have an answer for .War with various factions active and looming . Veterans who were promised help with medical issues . Polluted waterways .No real good places to put the millions of tons of garbage .Racial unrest .And lets not overlook the wall , that many say must be built . I could go on .But the point is , now , NOW we need to open this can o worms ? You have got to be nuts !