The Secretary of the Army is open to renamed sites for Confederate commanders

US. Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy, who is open to renamed Confederate generals’ military bases, has been receiving increasing attention in recent weeks amid nationwide protests against police brutality and racism following the death of George Floyd, Fox News has learned.

A senior military official told Fox News on Monday that McCarthy did not plan to unilaterally change names, but would seek bipartisan support to do so. US. Military installations include Fort Benning in Georgia and Fort Prague in North Carolina.

“We need to recognize that history is important, but we need to come together and have some kind of open discussion about race,” the official added. “This week highlights the need to begin to understand those feelings, and the military secretary is ready to consider changing these sites. . “

The announcement marked a reversal of the military. The branch indicated earlier this year that it was opposed to the idea after the Marine Corps announced a ban on Confederate flags from its installations last April.

In a letter to the Corps, David Margaret, Commandant General of the Marine Corps. Berger said the Confederate flag “has the power to provoke the sentiment of the faction.”

“We are a militant organization, an elite company of soldiers who depend on each other to win fierce battles,” Berger wrote. “Anything that divides us and threatens group unity must be reversed.”

He added: “I urge every Marines to understand that I fully accept my duty and responsibility to help build this team. That is, I need to identify symbols or subcultures that undermine our demands and resonate. “

Last week, however, Berger acknowledged that it was not enough to remove the faction’s symbols, but “rather, try to remove the faction.”

“It demands that we keep each other’s fleet on a daily basis,” he wrote in an open letter. “As a unified force, we can only fully demonstrate our core values, free from discrimination, racial inequality and prejudice, and serve as the elite militant organization the United States needs and expects.”

At least 10 military installations are named after Confederate military commanders, Politico reports. Previous calls to rename it have been dismissed on the grounds that doing so is contrary to tradition.

A News McCarthy, who was presented to the military last week, wrote that his views on the matter had sparked nationwide protests.

“For the past week, the country has been disgusted with the racial divisions. Your army is a reflection of American society.

“We feel frustrated and angry,” they added. “We must work hard to earn the trust of mothers and fathers who are reluctant to entrust our sons and daughters to our care.”