Members of the 17th Training Wing gather in the Louis F. Garland Department of Defense Fire Academy high bay, for the first Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Day event, Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas, Oct. 28, 2022. (Sarah Williams/U.S. Air Force)
Army Gen. Charles C. Rogers heroically served in the Vietnam War, receiving the Medal of Honor for his exemplary actions, and the Department of Defense deleted him.
Instead of prioritizing efforts to streamline military operations, find cost-savings in our national defense, or work with our allies to tackle national security issues, our Defense Department is hyper-focused on what they see as the greatest threat: our history.
Reports of images, webpages and resources being scrubbed from the Defense Department, U.S. Army and Arlington National Cemetery websites speak to this administration’s primary objective. [The Associated Press reported that the Pentagon said Monday that internet pages honoring a Black Medal of Honor recipient and Japanese American service members were mistakenly taken down — but staunchly defended its overall campaign to strip out content singling out the contributions by women and minority groups, which the Trump administration considers DEI.]
The service members whose stories this administration is trying to erase from public resources fought for our country, even in the face of disparities and maltreatment. Black service members served in segregated units until 1948, Japanese Americans served even while their families were rounded up and placed in desolate internment camps, and LGBTQ+ service members served even when the country demanded they stay in the closet. Their commitment to fighting for our nation embodied this country’s motto: E Pluribus Unum — Out of Many One. They fought for everyone, even when we wouldn’t stand up for them.
Those stories are our history, whether we like it or not. New generations must learn from them, just as we learned the stories of our forebears. Our nation’s youth must learn about patriotism. They must read of what we did right and of what we did wrong. They need to hear us praise those overlooked individuals who beat incredible odds. And most of all, they need to see figures to admire, whose stories hang on the wall — stories they can see themselves in.
Let me make one thing clear: Diversity, equity and inclusion efforts are not reverse discrimination. Having a picture of Black or Asian American soldiers who proudly served their country hanging on the walls of federal buildings does not negatively impact military cohesion. Having a webpage about the military unit my great uncles served in while other members of our family were in Japanese Internment camps does not lower troop morale. And eliminating lesson plans about Medal of Honor recipients who are people of color does not make our country safer.
The current administration doesn’t seem to appreciate these truths; they are afraid of them. Their frantic, fanatical actions are being carried out without proper forethought, research, or consideration of the people who will be affected. We cannot let the tempo of these ill-conceived actions deter us from paying attention.
When the Army scrubbed the page chronicling the history of the 442nd Regiment, I was quick to call it out with the help of my Japanese American community and the Hawaii congressional delegation. The Army reversed its decision because of public pressure and blowback, republishing the page. For the sake of all veterans, and specifically minority veterans, who served their country and their families, I will work to ensure that any erasure is addressed and rectified. We must not allow the beliefs of an administration hellbent on glossing over the achievements of minority and marginalized veterans efface the service of some of our most patriotic Americans.
Marginalized service members have done their part, and it is now up to us to ensure their stories remain prominent in our military and country’s history. I call on my congressional colleagues — and all Americans — to stay diligent and to stand with me in bringing attention to these efforts to erase the history of certain communities. May we seek to honor the sacrifices and dedication of all service members and veterans.
Mark Takano, a Democrat, represents California’s 39th District in the U.S. House of Representatives. He is ranking member of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.
