Fred Frank Loc: Roanoke Alabama

I took these yesterday in Birmingham. Looking past any controversies. I was there to photograph and thinking of these veterans as any others. The battlefield is a terrible place for anyone.
D500 85-300mm
Comments welcome

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Nice!

Cmbtvet Loc: Elmira, NY

Awesome, respectfully done

Curmudgeon Loc: SE Arizona

To start with this is a wonderful set. They, like most other soldiers, perhaps fought and died for their beliefs. Unfortunately many others die because their government sent them out to fight. What ever the reason these soldiers must be respected. May they Rest In Peace.

jederick Loc: Northern Utah

Well said and I agree!! Great photos too!

Blenheim Orange Loc: Michigan

Those men were not necessarily killed in battle. Nor were there any battles in Birmingham. I suspect that the cemetery is a political statement, not a war memorial. That is why there would be controversy, which is unfortunate.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

A memorial to those who served?

Blenheim Orange Loc: Michigan

Sure. But is it the men that are being honored or is it the cause that is being honored? This has long been a source of controversy, starting immediately after the Civil War ended. Many felt that as it was now one country all should be buried under one flag the flag of the United States of America, and that graves should not be segregated out according to which side the men fought on. It was thought that perpetuating the animosities and bitterness was not a good idea. There is evidence that Robert E. Lee himself took that position. The erection and maintenance of symbols of the Confederacy has in fact had the effect of perpetuating the animosities and bitterness from the war.

Thousands of men from Alabama fought for the Union, they were loyal to their country. Why should they be excluded from a cemetery?

I don't think we don't see cemeteries dedicated to the Loyalists from the Revolutionary War flying the British flag.

The OP mentioned controversy, I am talking about why there might be controversy.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

I suppose we'll never know.
(I personally would not make any assumptions either way.)

Blenheim Orange Loc: Michigan

Agreed. I am surprised to see that the topic has flared up again in recent years, with the most bizarre and improbable revisionism praising or excusing the Confederate cause everywhere you look now. I see Confederate flags flying in Michigan. I think it is disgraceful. It is such a dishonorable cause - the preservation of human slavery.

I think that the sacrifices made by the young men from the South should be honored, Confederate and Union, Black and white. When Confederate symbols are promoted, under the pretense of honoring the war causalities of the South, that dishonors more men than it honors. Even in the northern counties of Alabama more men went north and fought for the Union than fought for the CSA. Over 100,000 white men from the deep South fought for the Union, another 200,000+ from the border states, and 150,000+ former slaves. The Confederate flag is an insult to all of those southerners.

GeneB Loc: Chattanooga Tennessee

You being from Michigan, how would you know that is an insult to those southerners? No I do not fly the confederate flag. I fly the Stars and Bars.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Stash Loc: South Central Massachusetts

Thanks for sharing. I think its a disgrace that so many historical markers and monuments have already been destroyed in the name of political correctness.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Cmbtvet Loc: Elmira, NY

Its a shame that ignorant uneducated people with thin skin and no backbone have to ruin history. Yes the Civil War happened and it was a terrible war pitting brother against brother, father against son, but you cant change the future without knowing the past. The Confederate Flag was not a symbol of hatred it was originally a battle flag (such as the modern day guidons of todays militaries which sets apart different units) it was later adopted as the Southern states flag during the Civil War because the south wanted to be a separate country so to speak and have its own government, thus electing Jefferson Davis as the president of the southern states. The Confederate flag was incorporated into many state flags of the south until someone's feelings got hurt and political correctness came along and made them change their flags and take out the stars and bars. Now people want to tear down monuments commemorating the battles and leaders of the south such as Robert E Lee. This is history this is why we are the great country we are because we learn from our mistakes, you cant just erase history and act like it never happened, wrong or right those men and women deserve to be Honored. Was the Revolutionary war wrong because we wanted to be free and not live under the rule of a King, should we take down our monuments honoring Washington? NO. Was WW1 and WW2 wrong? NO it saved us from a physco that wanted to rule the world and get rid of the Jewish people. A lot of people didn't agree with the Korean war should we take down their memorials? NO. what about Vietnam? should we take down the wall that honors those brave men and women that died for an unpopular war for your freedom. NO, and then there's Afghanistan and Iraq which my wife and I are proud Veterans of. We both earned Bronze Stars and Purple Hearts for heroic actions and wounds we received for your freedom so you can walk outside without fear of being killed by a terrorist because they don't like our freedoms. If your gonna let a flag upset you then maybe you need to live in a cave and isolate yourself from the real world. I'm sure the United States Flag offends some people, but we aren't gonna change it for you or anyone else and I'm sure every Veteran on here will make sure of that