H.S. “Jack” Bovee
19001 Cypress View Drive
Fort Myers, FL 33967
April 2, 2021
Mr. Kevin Ruane, Chair, Lee County Commission, dist1@leegov.com
Re: In Defense of General Robert E. Lee
Dear Mr. Ruane,
I am writing to you as a resident of Lee County for 50 years, a former U.S. History teacher at N. Ft. Myers High School in the 1970s, a former Social Studies Coordinator for the Lee County School District in the 1980s and 1990s, and afterward a former Lee County Elementary Principal of the Year. I’ve dedicated all of my adult life as to the education of youth. Among my most treasured achievements was to have taken an idea begun by Maureen Copeland at Fort Myers High School for establishing a rigorous Social Studies Honor Society for her students and promoting similar societies across Florida and eventually the nation. I tell you this because I am passionate about the subject I wish to discuss with you: the need to preserve in Lee County the memorial dedicated to Robert E. Lee, for whom our county is named.
I am keenly aware of the toxic nature of many monuments to America’s past—especially those that pertain to anyone associated with the Confederacy. As an educator, however, I can’t help but believe there is an opportunity here that would benefit everyone in our community. I need not tell you that the life and times of Robert E. Lee closely mirror our own. Today, our nation has been divided almost to the extent it was 160 years ago when a tragic Civil War destroyed half the nation and took an estimated 750,000 lives. Robert E. Lee’s personal efforts to reconcile the division in our nation won him the praise of countless U.S. Presidents and world leaders. He worked against what would have been a murderous guerrilla war following Appomattox, thereby saving the lives of countless Americans. After the war, he continually told his students and friends that he saw himself as an American and encouraged them to put aside their resentments and prejudices. His example has repeatedly served as a lesson to our nation in times of political and social division. Much later, when LBJ urged Congress to approve the Civil Rights Act of 1964, he reminded Southerners of the legacy of Lee. He remarked to his fellow southerners, “If we are to heal our history and make this nation whole…opportunity must know no color line. Robert E Lee…a great leader of the South—and I assume no modern-day leader would question him or challenge him—Robert E. Lee counseled us well when he told us to cast off our animosities and raise our sons to be Americans.” Finally, for the record, Lee abhorred slavery.
Without a doubt, Lee’s example and his character have guided Americans in turbulent times. Today is no different.
It should be noted that Robert E. Lee is today a great AMERICAN citizen. He sought and posthumously received restoration of his citizenship and civil rights by nearly unanimous votes in both Houses of Congress not that long ago. In the historic presidential signing ceremony marking that event, Gerald Ford spoke to the nation: General Lee's character has been an example to succeeding generations, making the restoration of his citizenship an event in which every American can take pride. . . .As a soldier, Gen. Lee left his mark on military strategy. As a man, he stood as the symbol of valor and of duty. As an educator, he appealed to reason and learning to achieve understanding and to build a stronger nation. The course he chose after the war became a symbol to all…
The fact that Lee devoted 4 years of his life toward the defense of his state, family, and neighbors in a cause that he believed was constitutional should be no reason to erase a memorial to his honor in the county that bears his name. The toxicity of the current situation threatens the very historical legacy of both the City of Ft. Myers and Lee County. Are we next to rename the city because it honors another Confederate? Will we rename the many roads, parks, schools, buildings, businesses and even our county name itself because these pay tribute to the man that so many of our presidents and world leaders have praised? Where will the cancel culture end? Why not deal with it now? If Lee cannot be respected, who can? If this monument is removed, what other tributes to the man should remain?
I submit that there is an alternative route that the County Commission and City Council may wish to explore. It is to follow the time-honored tradition of political compromise. I respectfully suggest that the City and County each nominate such stakeholders and distinguished local citizens to a committee that would be charged with establishing a common-sense solution to our current dilemma. Nominees might come from prominent local educators, the Bar Association, historical museums, and perhaps even from the Board of Lee Memorial Hospital—whose very existence owes a debt to this man. Nominees could be from stakeholder groups such as the NAACP, the Sons of Confederate Veterans, possibly the Lee County Visitors/Convention Center, one or more of our university Presidents, or representatives from our many elective bodies. The possibilities are endless and as an optimist, I believe there are enough people of goodwill that a satisfactory agreement could be made. A committee report with representation from all stakeholders would hopefully provide a firm foundation for any decision by elective bodies.
I’d further suggest any such group charged with arriving at a solution should meet basic criteria. Among these might be:
-- that the location of the memorial be appropriate (this might mean county property instead of city property or that it be removed to a historical museum or another appropriate venue. (Are the various historic busts by sculptor Don Wilkins still housed in the City convention center?)
-- that it be made available to the public for historical and educational purpose
-- that it be in a secure location to protect it from further vandalism or destruction
-- that educational background be provided as part of the monument to give context to all sides
-- that some final clarification of ownership be established for the future
Among other possibilities, it might be possible to create a short educational video (that could be produced by WGCU, the school system or a local news network) that could briefly cover the life of Lee as well as the controversy surrounding this historical legacy. This could be used to educate and better inform Lee County citizens, visiting tourists, and local school children about the man and would help to answer the question as to why this county continues to bear his name.
The above scenario of an advisory committee is only one suggestion and I’m aware that such a move would entail legal obligations under Florida’s Sunshine Law. Another idea would be to submit something of a solution to the voters of Lee County for their input or approval.
As a member of the Southwest Florida Civil War Roundtable, I’m aware of the desire of the Sons of Confederate Veterans to possibly remove the Lee Memorial to a location outside of Lee County. Doing so, however, would not end these controversies. We’d still have a hospital, roads, banks, schools, parks, businesses, portraits and more to protest and agitate over. As a community, we have a choice. We can deal with our past history today or kick the can down the road for our children to solve. Personally, I’d hate to see this memorial to the man removed from the public square in Lee County when having it present provides such wonderful educational opportunities for our residents and students.
I’d welcome the chance to discuss this with you further. I’m copying your colleagues and Major Kevin Anderson on the matter in the hope of getting some common-sense discussions going between your two local governing agencies.
With best wishes for a workable solution to all,
Most sincerely,
Jack Bovee Email: jsbovee@aol.com Cell: 239-272-3508
Cc:
Mr. Cecil Pendergrass, Commissioner, Dist. 2 dist2@leegov.com
Mr. Ray Sandelli, Commissioner, Dist. 3 dist3@leegov.com
Mr. Brian Hamman, Commissioner, Dist. 4 dist4@leegov.com
Mr. Frank Mann, Commissioner, Dist. 5 dist5@leegov.com
Mr. Kevin Anderson, Mayor, City of Ft. Myers mayoranderson@cityftmyers.com
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