Deleted but Not Forgotten: Arlington Removes Stories of America's Heroes and Sheroes

The image for this article appeared when I searched for the Arlington National Cemetary website. Arlington National Cemetery, a revered resting place for America's heroes, has recently begun removing historical references and honors dedicated to Black, Hispanic, and women veterans from its website. This unsettling shift aligns with a directive from President Trump to eliminate references to diversity, equity, and inclusion within federal agencies.

While we push forward to “Make America Great Again” keep in mind that these histories are not merely acknowledgments; they are essential parts of America's narrative. Highlighting Black, Hispanic, and women veterans is Vital in recognizing and honoring the significant contributions of groups historically underrepresented and marginalized. Erasing these stories does a disservice to the truth, undermines their sacrifices, and weakens our collective memory.

The deliberate act of removing these histories suggests an attempt to return to an era where contributions from minority groups were systematically overlooked. History, however, must reflect the realities of all those who have served and sacrificed, not just the majority.

The histories and achievements of Veterans from diverse backgrounds remind us that the fight for freedom and justice has always involved all Americans, even when society itself was deeply unequal. Removing these narratives is not only disrespectful but harmful, perpetuating a false notion of uniformity and dismissing the struggles these Veterans overcame.

We urge Arlington National Cemetery and the relevant authorities to reconsider these actions and restore the historical acknowledgments that celebrate the diversity of those who've courageously served our nation. While it is ideal to think that "all things are equal," we must acknowledge that historically and even presently, life is not experienced equally by everyone. Let's honor history authentically, not erase it. It's time to reconsider this decision and restore the webpage to reflect the full story!