West Point Begins Removing Confederate Symbols From Campus

by Rockland Daily Staff

The country's oldest service academy, the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, has begun the removal of Confederate statues and symbols from campus.

The removal is being done in compliance with a federal order by the Department of Defense in October. 

Statues and symbols memorializing the Confederacy will either be taken down or modified. This includes placing into storage a portrait of the West Point graduate and superintendent, General Robert E. Lee wearing a Confederate uniform.

Other Lee memorabilia will be removed as well. Some items will be placed in storage, while others will be stored until a more suitable location is found.

A quote from Lee displayed in a campus plaza will also be replaced after the Class of 1957 shares their ideas for a new quote. 

A series of stone markers on display in another campus plaza that commemorates the Confederacy will be modified starting in the spring. 

Roads and buildings bearing Lee's name around West Point will be renamed at the end of next year.