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Welcome back to Fort A.P. Hill. No, not the Confederate general, but Fort Anderson-Pinn-Hill (Source: WRIC)
I don’t know why the media is making such a big deal about President Trump’s announcement, at Fort Bragg this week, that he is ordering the restoration of names to all military bases that once honored Confederate generals.
If you remember, this policy was begun back in February.
Trump Administration Trolls Confederate Heritage Community
The confusion stems from the fact that Trump misspoke during his disgraceful speech at Fort Bragg in which he blatantly and unapologetically politicized the military. The president announced that the names of “Fort A.P. Hill” and “Fort Robert E. Lee” would be restored, but this is not what the Army has announced.
According to The New York Times:
Mr. Trump, however, contradicted that explanation in his announcement, at one point saying that the Army would be “restoring” the name of one Army base in Virginia — Fort Gregg-Adams — to “Fort Robert E. Lee,” previously named for the commander of the Confederate army. The Army said in its statement that the base would be renamed to honor Pvt. Fitz Lee, a member of the all-Black Buffalo Soldiers who was awarded a Medal of Honor after serving in the Spanish-American War.
As for Fort A.P. Hill:
Another name change by the Army on Tuesday appeared particularly tortured to fit the old name while still ostensibly honoring different soldiers: Fort Walker, named for the Civil War surgeon, would be renamed again to Fort A.P. Hill. That base was originally named to honor Ambrose Powell Hill, a Confederate officer who was killed late in the war. The Army said on Tuesday that the base would be renamed “Fort Anderson-Pinn-Hill” to honor Lt. Col. Edward Hill, First Sgt. Robert A. Pinn and Pvt. Bruce Anderson who fought for the United States during the Civil War.
Describing this ham-fisted attempt at a name change as “tortured” is being kind.
The Trump administration’s announcement back in February dishonored the memory of Hal Moore and his family and now we know it will continue with these additional name changes.
Donald Trump Cheapens History and Memory With the Renaming of Military Bases
Mar 5
Among the challenges that we currently face, this announcement re: the names of military bases does not rise to any significant level of concern. Unfortunately, we have a president whose definition of strength is wrapped up in a warped and ultimately immature vision of military strength. Hence the upcoming military parade in Washington, DC and the ordering of 700 Marines to Los Angeles.
This is the real danger.
Stay focused.