I am a retired English teacher (39 years). Virginia possesses a rich history, all of which must remain intact and preserved for posterity. History is replete with controversial issues and characters. For some, Robert E. Lee, Jefferson Davis, Thomas Jefferson, or George Washington are controversial, but just about every human who has ever lived has met disapproval by someone while enjoying acclaim by others. Never should we attempt to purge history of people, places, names, events, and facts. That is what occurs in Orwell's 1984 and Stalin's Russia. Preserve and protect every monument on Monument Avenue. The Confederate generals are all American military veterans, as declared by Congress in 1958. If you wish to add other monuments, there is plenty of room to do so. Let the old and the new (e.g. Arthur Ashe) exist side by side. Put up a monument to Frederick Douglass or Harriet Tubman or whoever the people want to memorialize, but do not make the irreparable mistake of moving any existing monuments, whether in Richond or Charlottesville or anywhere in Virginia. Richmond will suffer immeasurably, as will Virginia, if people keep trying to purify American history. Teach historical truth. Don't ever try to remove or hide history. My direct ancestor, Morgan Bryan, along with Quaker friend Alexander Ross, brought 70 families into the northern neck of Virginia in the early 1730's. Morgan Bryan built a beautiful stone home, now known as Lick Run Plantation, near today's Bedington WV. I have been through this house several times and know the current owner, Walter Ailes. Morgan's granddaughter, Rebecca Bryan, was born on this property, on the east side of Opequon Creek, about a mile from Opequon's confluence with the Potomac. I have also been in the homevwhere Rebecca lived as a little girl. Rebecca Bryan, with her parents, Joseph and Aylee (Linville) Bryan, moved to Rowan County, NC ca 1755, where Rebecca married Daniel Boone. I want to preserve this history, Virginia's history, for posterity. I hope you do too.