Looks like the commission in charge of commemorating Robert E. Lee’s 200th birthday is hard at work putting together a program that will do justice to the history that he helped shape. From the Richmond Times-Dispatch:
The commission’s co-chairman, Del. Benjamin L. Cline, R-Rockbridge, described Lee “as a man who contributed so much to the heritage and history of Virginia,” and said the yearlong occasion will “celebrate all the things he stood for — integrity, honor, commitment to education, devotion to faith and family.” The celebration will focus on all facets of Lee’s life. Members pointed out that Lee’s accomplishments include more than his service to the Confederacy.
Perhaps I spoke too soon.
Events will take place across the state to highlight Lee’s life, and many organizations are planning activities. They include Stratford Hall, Lee’s birthplace; a conference on Lee hosted by the Sons of Confederate Veterans at Arlington Cemetery in April 2007; a tour of Lee-related historical sites in and around Richmond on March 11, 2007, sponsored by the United Daughters of the Confederacy; a Lee-Grant exhibition in the fall of 2007, a joint effort of the Virginia Historical Society and the New York Historical Society; and a symposium at Washington and Lee University (at least this last event looks promising).
Conference on Lee hosted by the SCV? I can’t wait to see the list of presenters.
A print of Lee to memorialize the event is expected be commissioned and available for purchase.
Your guess is as good as mine in terms of the print’s content, but let me take a crack at it. The print will either depict Lee praying in front of the stars and bars or it will show him saving a little bird in the middle of a battle.
Stay tuned. . . .