I am about to brand myself as a hypocrite after commenting on people’s hyper-sensitivity over Abraham Lincoln (below)…but I too have been bothered by something that I’d like to get off my chest.

Last week I mentioned my recent trip to the ‘Stonewall’ Jackson Shrine. I live approximately 8 miles up the road from Guinea Station and the SJS is one of my favorite spots here in the entire Fredericksburg/Spotsylvania area. The building and grounds are beautiful, the interpreters are always wonderful and the site is never-ever crowded. It’s a hidden treasure so to speak and my children have been instructed to scatter my ashes on the lawn there when I’m gone (yes, for real). Currently I am in the process of putting together a detailed photo essay on the story of the site that hosted Jackson’s last days and I will post a link when it is completed.

My issue today is in regards the American flag being the only flag that flies on the site. Unlike our local battlefields, this location has absolutely nothing to do with the Union’s story. Jackson’s death is what hallowed the ground, nothing more. As he did not survive the war and there was no reconciliation between him and the Union, I wonder what he would think about that flag being the only one flying above a shrine that is dedicated solely to his memory.

To me it’s like putting American flags on Confederate graves. Those that survived the Civil War had an opportunity to rejoin their fellow Americans in one nation, but those who died before the South’s surrender did not. Would they condone their adversary’s colors flying over their sacred sites in place of their own?

I understand that the National Park Service flies American flags on their properties, but in this instance, I wonder why there isn’t at least one Confederate banner somewhere on the grounds to acknowledge Jackson’s cause. Maybe I’ll ask my friends in the NPS if they have a take on this. They do an extraordinary job with the SJS, but this bothers me. I’d love to get some other people’s opinions too. Feel free to comment or email.