By John Q. Hosedrinker 
The US Department of Defense webpage honoring Medal of Honor recipient Maj. Gen. Charles Calvin Rogers, the highest-ranking African American to receive the award, has been removed. The URL was altered to include “DEI,” short for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, following a recent appeals court decision lifting a block on executive orders aiming to end federal DEI programs. A Google cache shows the page previously highlighted Rogers’s service and commitment to racial and gender equality. The Department of Defense has not yet commented on the removal.
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The removal of General Charles Rogers, a Black Medal of Honor recipient, from the US Department of Defense website is deeply disturbing and raises serious questions about the values of our nation. This action isn’t simply an oversight; it’s a deliberate attempt to erase the contributions of a Black hero, a blatant act that speaks volumes about the current state of affairs.
The fact that this happened at all is a profound insult. It’s a slap in the face to every Black American who has served, sacrificed, and defended this country with unwavering loyalty. It’s a stark reminder that systemic racism continues to pervade our institutions, even reaching into the hallowed halls of military honor. The heroism of General Rogers, a man shot three times while bravely defending a base, shouldn’t be subject to erasure based on his race.
The immediate reaction, the visceral anger felt by many, is completely understandable. The suggestion that this might be related to diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives is absurd. It’s nothing more than a cynical attempt to cloak blatant racism in the language of progress. The changing of the URL to include “DEI” only reinforces this perception, suggesting a deliberate manipulation of information to downplay the significance of this shameful act. It feels like a deliberate attempt to rewrite history, a chilling act of revisionism.
This event isn’t merely an online error; it’s a symbolic act. It underscores a deeper issue, a disturbing trend of undermining the accomplishments of minority individuals and rewriting the narrative of American history to suit a particular, exclusionary ideology. It raises legitimate concerns about the future of military service for people of color, especially young Black Americans considering a military career. The image of the military being a place of opportunity and valor is severely tarnished by this incident. Who would want to serve in an institution that erases its own heroes?
The sheer audacity of this act is staggering. General Rogers has a bridge named after him, a testament to his extraordinary service and dedication. He has earned the highest military honor our country bestows, the Medal of Honor. To attempt to reduce his legacy to a DEI issue is a profound insult not only to him, but to all those who have served their nation.
This incident fuels a broader conversation about the erosion of our institutions. It’s a stark reminder that the fight for equality and justice continues. It’s a moment that should be a rallying point, a catalyst for change. We cannot, and should not, stand idly by while our history is rewritten and our heroes are erased.
The casual nature of this removal, coupled with the subsequent renaming of the page, suggests a profound lack of respect for the sacrifices made by individuals like General Rogers. The fact that this happened during a specific administration further underscores concerns about the underlying motivations behind this action. It’s difficult to avoid concluding that this action reflects a specific political agenda.
Many are rightfully angry, and their anger is justified. This is not simply a matter of website management; it’s an attack on American values and the legacy of those who fought to defend them. This act inspires fear and distrust in the institutions that are meant to protect us all, leaving us to wonder what other historical records or symbols of achievement might be targeted next.
The outrage expressed by many veterans, particularly veterans of color, is palpable and understandable. The sense of betrayal is profound, particularly given the lip service often paid to honoring veterans and their service. For those who have served, the message conveyed is one of profound disenfranchisement. This incident serves as a stark warning about the fragility of our institutions and the constant vigilance required to preserve our history and uphold our values. The silence of those who should be condemning this act is deafening.
Ultimately, the removal of General Rogers from the DOD website is far more than a technical error; it’s a stark reminder of the ongoing struggle for racial equality and a wake-up call for all Americans to actively defend the legacies of those who have sacrificed for our country. The blatant disregard for his contributions demands a response that goes beyond outrage; it demands action. The incident deserves to be discussed, investigated and ultimately rectified with a full apology. Failure to do so would only serve to embolden those who seek to rewrite history and undermine the accomplishments of our nation’s true heroes.