The idea that there are still parks and places named after Civil War Generals from the South

[brokechris]

78. And I was taught that we were all Americans--that we didn't let our brothers

leave the Union, we wanted it to be held together because we did not consider them to be able to separate themselves out.

When I see the names, it makes me remember that we are all brothers (even with people who we disagree with and might not want to be part of) so to remember them softens me toward my fellow man. Brave men fought on both sides, good generals. Let the dead be remembered. It is harder to demonize them (as we might a Hitler) because they were OUR OWN even though we disagreed. I have siblings who I disagree with on everything--but they are still my blood. It was brother against brother and I don't forget that those people were Americans.

When people see their brothers as aliens--worthy of being killed--then they keep the hate alive, they can't heal. Only by loving our fellow man--flawed though he ALWAYS is, can we have healing and peace. (and yes--I am thinking of the ME as well)

I am against all war--so I find the entire thing tragic. And everyone is lucky that I was not president--because I likely would have just let them go. I don't have the stomach for war--and that was a particularly brutal one. To me--they all should be remembered simply in recognition of the horror that they endured.