While I do not, nor want to, live in Staunton and theoretically have no dog in the fight about the unnecessary re-naming of Robert E. Lee High School, I’m responding to David Driver’s letter of diatribe implying such a change that appeared in The News Leader on May 6.
In making his “moral equivalent” of an imaginary Erwin Rommel High School in Germany to Robert E. Lee High School I sense a slight affliction of foot-in-mouth disease. Actually, Rommel was one of the “good Germans” of WWII in that he tried to convince Hitler to end the war in 1944 because he felt Germany could not win. Further, he was implicated with many others in the unsuccessful attempt to assassinate Hitler. I suggest these two points alone indicate a good bit of integrity. He was an accomplished military professional. So was Lee, also with integrity. In my view if Mr. Driver is trying to make a mockery and derogatory association of these two he has missed his point.
Of many things I’ve read about Lee, never once have I seen anything critical of his character, honor and integrity. Criticism of some military decisions and strategy, yes. He was a great American – before, during and after the Civil War. Driver’s “moral equivalent” of a Goering-Hitler Highway to our Lee-Jackson Highway is too asinine (why is it spelled with only one “S”!?) for discussion. Incidentally, I count 20 Lee’s and 44 Jackson’s in our local phone book.
Should anybody have serious ideas about changing the name of Lee-Jackson Highway, I’ve got at least TWO dogs in that fight. (1) I live on that highway, like the name, don’t wish to change my address unless I move, and respect the namesakes; and, (2) my middle name is Lee.
Leave the school name and highway name alone!
LARRY LEE MISENHEIMER
Staunton