Gov. McConnell's proclamation ignore's Virginia's real Civil War heroes.
How about a proclamation honoring those Virginians like Major Gen. George Thomas who HONORED their oath of office and fought for the Union despite the great personal cost?
While probably the most prominent Virginian who fought for the United States, Thomas was not alone. It wasn't known as the war of brother against brother because the fault lines ran neatly between North and South.
There were Northerners who fought on behalf of the slave-holding states and many Unionists from the South. As a matter of fact, the Western portion of Virgina was so strongly against secession that it seceded itself, creating the state of West Virginia. Perhaps the proclamation should note that fact as well.
And, of course, besides the white regiments raised from seceded states such as Tennessee and Arkansas there were a large number of black regiments raised from most southern states. Perhaps they should be rememebered by proclamation as well?