Eisenhower letter on Robert E. Lee

[Beemerguy53]

Most of 1955, the last year of my Air Force enlistment was spent at the National Security Agency, at that time in Arlington,Virginia. Our barracks were in Suitland, Maryland. Very close to the Suitland Parkway. Every now and then Ike's motorcaid would go roaring by either to or from Andrews Air Force Base. The president's limo at that time was a Chrysler Crown Imperial. We once spent most of a day waiting in Lafayette Park, across from the White House, to see Ike return.

The Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn has Ike's limousine as part of their collection...

 

[Beemerguy53]

I've followed this discussion with great interest. Great intellectual discourse on both "sides" and I've not heard anything remotely unpatriotic...

As someone who is not well-versed in Civil War history, I've been thinking the same thing. People on both sides of this issue have made their cases respectfully. It's always a pleasure to see an intelligent, gentlemanly debate.

 

[Rustyt1953]

Both were brave, honorable men during a time when men were MEN.

Men still walk amongst us.

 

[Beemerguy53]

The oath for enlisted personnel is different and they take it each time they re enlist. Technically, the enlisted oath can’t legally be enforced once the term of enlistment expires. What the. binds a former enlisted soldier to that oath is just his honor - or lack of it.

For officers it’s traditional to repeat the oath upon promotion, but it is not required once that oath has been taken once, and it does not have an expiration date. The same tradition is true for the president, senators and congressman upon reelection.

It’s also the norm in federal service to recite the oath of office for each new position, regardless of whether you have taken the oath before. In that case it is both tradition and checking a box on the personnel form to ensure the incumbent in the position has in fact taken the oath of office, and repeating it is a lot easier, faster and more efficient than reviewing a personnel file to verify the oath was taken

In two careers, over almost 50 years now, I have taken that oath more times than I can remember. There is no expiration date on it, nor have I ever thought there should be...

 

[444 Magnum]

Here's a thought, let's compare Robert E. Lee to William Tecumseh Shermin. Sherman has at least 4 monuments around the country.
I'll get it started...Robert E. Lee was a Southern gentleman with honor and integrity. William T. Sherman led a bloody assault not only against the Confederate army but against countless civilians on his "march to the sea" that included murder, arson, rape, and theft.

 

[PALADIN85020]

I thoroughly respected Ike, for (among many other things) his knowledge of history and capable military leaders.

During a visit to Denver a few years ago, I was privileged to view the Eisenhower Suite at the historic Brown Hotel there. It was Ike and Mamie's favorite place to stay when they were in town. Here's the picture I took of it. That's a painting of the Federal Eagle on the wall behind the bed.

John

 

[Beemerguy53]

...No American alive today ever owned a slave and no American alive today bears any guilt for it...

The late, great Walter Williams addressed this issue a number of times in his writings over the years. Like all of his arguments, he was relentlessly, and precisely, logical and on-point.

The only comment I ever make about this subject is that I hope all of those involved in the slave trade are roasting in Hell for what they did to our country...

Reparations for Slavery, by Walter E.Williams | Creators Syndicate

 

[PALADIN85020]

The Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn has Ike's limousine as part of their collection...

In Ike's day, he used a lot of different cars. This is a shot of him in an unassuming convertible in 1952, while campaigning in Phoenix. He was on his way from the airport to Phoenix Union High School's stadium (then the largest stadium in the area). It was on this day that my parents excused me from school so I could go to see him. I remember it well.

John

 

[Beemerguy53]

In Ike's day, he used a lot of different cars. This is a shot of him in an unassuming convertible in 1956, while campaigning in Phoenix. He was on his way from the airport to Phoenix Union High School's stadium (then the largest stadium in the area). It was on this day that my parents excused me from school so I could go to see him. I remember it well.

Back then, I suspect the President's limo didn't fly with him everywhere he went. Today, "The Beast" goes everywhere the President goes...

Secret Service shares photo of '''The Beast''' en route to Asia | Fox News

 

[Absalom]

Here's a thought, let's compare Robert E. Lee to William Tecumseh Shermin. Sherman has at least 4 monuments around the country.
….

Whataboutism is unhelpful in this context, primarily because Sherman does not and never has played any role in Northern minds that is even remotely comparable to the saintly figure of Robert E.Lee in Southern Lost Cause mythology.

In fact, historically Sherman is largely seen critically everywhere, not just for his introduction of modern warfare to the South, but also presiding over the destruction of the Plains tribes as Commanding General of the Army from 1869 to 1883.

So the glorification and idolization of Lee as a person that is central to the Southern view of him is simply absent in Sherman’s case.

 

[tripledipper]

"A picture is worth a thousand words." Look at who was cheering the removal of the statue. Enough said. God help us, we are finished.

 

[djohns6]

Every time this subject comes up , there are the usual veiled insults directed at Southerners . Lost cause mythology , treason , and on and on . What the haters fail to grasp is the depth of Southern pride that lives within us . You won't ever understand it . Losing the war only strengthened it . There is nothing you can say to make us ashamed . Nothing to make us hang our heads . Tear down the statues and the flags if it makes you feel better . It does not change anything . Every time I read this bull I laugh at the desperate attempts to shame us by the Internet historians . It's not going to happen . But it shows who YOU really are , and how your attempt to be " morally superior " are really just a joke . Go ahead and take your shot . Prove my point .

 

[Jellybean]

The only comment I ever make about this subject is that I hope all of those involved in the slave trade are roasting in Hell for what they did to our country...

That would include a lot of Americans on both sides of the Union/Confederate debate and would have started at the signing of the Constitution. (Slavery was a "guaranteed right" under the U.S. Constitution and remained so until after Lincolns assassination.)

Also our country would not have been as great as it was if not for slavery and that was why slavery was never abolished before by simply changing the Constitution. Politicians on both sides knew how important it was and had no "Plan B" on how to run the country without it.

 

[ditrina]

Well...
This has been interesting as well a a bit contentious OK, A LOT CONTENTIOUS)

We're done here..