The first seven Japanese interred in Arlington were among the 300 blown up aboard the USS Maine in Havana Harbor. It was about 1960 when I saw their names on the Memorial.
I can't say these seven were "Japanese Americans" because Japanese immigrants like these seven, and my grandfather, were barred by law from American citizenship. Like the seven, my grandfather had enlisted in the US Navy, the USS Kearsarge in New York.
Now, let's see if Hegseth will scrub their names off this monument, too.
Hi Kevin - Freedman’s Village, which began on Robert E Lees plantation after the government confiscated it early in the Civil War, was the largest and best known Contraband Camp in the country. But it was only one of more than 250 that were formed during the war to shelter Africans yet to be “allowed” citizenship. It was also a recruiting station for the United States Colored Troops beginning in May 1863. Thank you for highlighting and keeping an eye on attempts to erase history.
Thrilled you’re breaking news. Many of the folks who ended up at the Freedman’s Village came up from Hampton, VA after self-emancipating at Fort Monroe, long before January 1, 1863. So much richness in danger. Keep writing!!
Here's another question: Given that the (angrily) court-ordered employment restorations have included (I think) the Department of the Interior, are any National Park Service positions being restored?
Maybe a silver lining will be that Kevin's "Civil War Memory" Substack will gain readers. Here's an excerpt from the Washington Post piece (and here's the gift link for the whole article: https://wapo.st/4isEBv8):
QUOTE The removals were first reported by Civil War historian Kevin M. Levin on his Substack “Civil War Memory” and further reported on by Task and Purpose. Levin, a Boston author and former teacher, said Friday that he had been tipped off about the website changes by a friend who was a teacher.
“It’s incredibly unfortunate,” Levin said. “This is just the kind of history that we want students to be learning, a history that allows students from different backgrounds to make a meaningful connection with one of our sacred sites.”
Arlington’s history is a powerful tool to teach about American history, and the website is an extension of that, Levin said. He warned that restoring the lost information won’t be simple.
“People think that with a few clicks you can just return these sites to normal,” he said. “I think we’re going to be in for a rude awakening in realizing just how much we potentially can lose in terms of the work that’s been done, and the trust that’s been built up over the years.” UNQUOTE
The New York Times article ends this way:
QUOTE Kevin M. Levin, a Civil War historian in Boston who helped identify the website changes, said they would deprive educators of valuable tools for connecting students with history.
“This is an incredibly rich historical landscape,” he said of the cemetery. “And to see any of its history either distorted or erased entirely — as an educator, and as a historian — it’s incredibly troubling.” UNQUOTE
One wonders if Trump is aware at all that Lincoln's last public address on April 11, 1865 was in support of Black soldiers who had fought for the Union in the Civil War. It was that speech, in particular, that incited Booth to pursue his murderous, vile plot. You can't claim you revere Lincoln without acknowledging how his quest for civil rights (such as they were in 1865) led to his untimely and tragic death. Is that now too woke a story for this administration to accept?!
I shudder to think the lengths this administration will go to in order to retell history, what their myriad political ends are, and what the ultimate costs will be. But for those of us who care deeply about our hard-fought past and our complex present, he will not stop us - he will only embolden us to keep learning and teaching truth. Thanks for all you are doing to raise our awareness of this issue and all of the administration's assaults on public history.
Thank you for doing what you do. Any way you slice it...those who don't know history are destined to repeat it. **(Attribution and exact wording may vary 😉.)
Congratulations and thanks for your patriotic actions.
"We the people" fell down on the job last November. But preserving US democracy has always been up to us.
I am absolutely furious right now...our Congress has failed us. We have failed ourselves.
Well-deserved praise for Kevin!
The first seven Japanese interred in Arlington were among the 300 blown up aboard the USS Maine in Havana Harbor. It was about 1960 when I saw their names on the Memorial.
I can't say these seven were "Japanese Americans" because Japanese immigrants like these seven, and my grandfather, were barred by law from American citizenship. Like the seven, my grandfather had enlisted in the US Navy, the USS Kearsarge in New York.
Now, let's see if Hegseth will scrub their names off this monument, too.
Good work. Glad to see it being shared. Keep shining a light on the truth.
Thanks, Mike. Appreciate the words of support.
Kevin,
Thank you as always for going deep regarding the erasure of history by the Trump regime and DOD’s incompetent racist chief.
As always, watch your six.
Steve
Thanks, Steven.
Hi Kevin - Freedman’s Village, which began on Robert E Lees plantation after the government confiscated it early in the Civil War, was the largest and best known Contraband Camp in the country. But it was only one of more than 250 that were formed during the war to shelter Africans yet to be “allowed” citizenship. It was also a recruiting station for the United States Colored Troops beginning in May 1863. Thank you for highlighting and keeping an eye on attempts to erase history.
All best,
Liza Rodman
Contraband Historical Society
Thrilled you’re breaking news. Many of the folks who ended up at the Freedman’s Village came up from Hampton, VA after self-emancipating at Fort Monroe, long before January 1, 1863. So much richness in danger. Keep writing!!
You are absolutely right. As you know it was not the only one even in the D.C. area.
Thanks for the kind words.
Is anyone aware of whether or not the American Battlefield Trust has made a statement on the administration’s activity?
Well, they did answer my e-mal query, as I reported in one of the recent Civil War Memory online discussions: https://kevinmlevin.substack.com/p/civil-war-battlefields-are-under/comments
Here's another question: Given that the (angrily) court-ordered employment restorations have included (I think) the Department of the Interior, are any National Park Service positions being restored?
Got the same reply, so ABT is hearing it. That last line SMH:
Per your message, I doubt this is the response you are seeking – but we do appreciate your message and feedback.
Best,
Ben
Ben Cote
Development Assistant, American Battlefield Trust
Thank you, interesting reply.
Nothing so far.
Thank you. The lack of response is troubling.
Maybe a silver lining will be that Kevin's "Civil War Memory" Substack will gain readers. Here's an excerpt from the Washington Post piece (and here's the gift link for the whole article: https://wapo.st/4isEBv8):
QUOTE The removals were first reported by Civil War historian Kevin M. Levin on his Substack “Civil War Memory” and further reported on by Task and Purpose. Levin, a Boston author and former teacher, said Friday that he had been tipped off about the website changes by a friend who was a teacher.
“It’s incredibly unfortunate,” Levin said. “This is just the kind of history that we want students to be learning, a history that allows students from different backgrounds to make a meaningful connection with one of our sacred sites.”
Arlington’s history is a powerful tool to teach about American history, and the website is an extension of that, Levin said. He warned that restoring the lost information won’t be simple.
“People think that with a few clicks you can just return these sites to normal,” he said. “I think we’re going to be in for a rude awakening in realizing just how much we potentially can lose in terms of the work that’s been done, and the trust that’s been built up over the years.” UNQUOTE
The New York Times article ends this way:
QUOTE Kevin M. Levin, a Civil War historian in Boston who helped identify the website changes, said they would deprive educators of valuable tools for connecting students with history.
“This is an incredibly rich historical landscape,” he said of the cemetery. “And to see any of its history either distorted or erased entirely — as an educator, and as a historian — it’s incredibly troubling.” UNQUOTE
Gift link: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/14/us/politics/arlington-cemetery-website-dei.html?unlocked_article_code=1.4E4.XiYM.q9OaUT9IC6Zq&smid=url-share
Lots of new subscribers over the past few days owing to the news coverage.
One wonders if Trump is aware at all that Lincoln's last public address on April 11, 1865 was in support of Black soldiers who had fought for the Union in the Civil War. It was that speech, in particular, that incited Booth to pursue his murderous, vile plot. You can't claim you revere Lincoln without acknowledging how his quest for civil rights (such as they were in 1865) led to his untimely and tragic death. Is that now too woke a story for this administration to accept?!
I shudder to think the lengths this administration will go to in order to retell history, what their myriad political ends are, and what the ultimate costs will be. But for those of us who care deeply about our hard-fought past and our complex present, he will not stop us - he will only embolden us to keep learning and teaching truth. Thanks for all you are doing to raise our awareness of this issue and all of the administration's assaults on public history.
Thank you for doing what you do. Any way you slice it...those who don't know history are destined to repeat it. **(Attribution and exact wording may vary 😉.)
Thanks, Liz.
Great work. There is a pretty good article on Snopes about this that may be worth checking out
I saw it. Thanks, Margaret.