The following is a condensed version of a letter sent to Sussex County Councilman John Rieley with a copy provided to the Cape Gazette for publication.
The heirs of Nutter D. Marvel Sr. are strenuously objecting to the Confederate memorial and flag being allowed at the Georgetown Historical Society/Marvel Museum, named after their grandfather. First published in the Sept. 4 edition of Delaware State News, reporter Glenn Rolfe tells of the Marvels’ position.
The story quotes Mr. Marvel’s grandson Tom Marvel saying that the “Confederate flag on the grounds of his namesake museum … flies in the face of Mr. Marvel’s wishes,” and that his “grandfather would be rolling over in his grave.”
Grandson David Marvel states that if “the flag does not come down in a ‘show [of] respect’ to their grandfather … his family may have to take another route,” such as having his grandfather’s name removed from the museum.
The story notes that Tom Marvel believes the Confederate banner is holding the museum back.
With their insight, courage and position, the heirs of Mr. Nutter D. Marvel Sr. are standing up for their family, Georgetown, Sussex County and all of Delaware.
On Aug. 9, Sussex County Council tabled a motion to recoup a contribution of taxpayer money to GHS/Marvel that you had sponsored in order to determine if a lease required that the memorial/flag remain. The contract has been examined; there is nothing stopping GHS/Marvel from removing the memorial/flag.
Gratuitously hosting a display of symbols of hate, white supremacy, divisiveness and slavery has already resulted in the state ceasing funding in 2019.
It is now time for Sussex County to step up and recoup the money or pledge no more taxpayer money if recoupment is not possible.
Please demand and announce immediately that these options will be on the next county council agenda and that you will support the strongest motion possible.
To those who claim the memorial and the Confederate battle flag are just history, that is just not true. The public wants history to remember Benedict Arnold, Tokyo Rose, Americans who fought with ISIS, and those few Delawareans who fought in the Civil War against the United States. But the public knows the difference between remembering and a monument that glorifies such vile behavior.
The Marine Corps and NASCAR have banned the Confederate battle flag.
The Marine Corps stated: “The Confederate battle flag has all too often been co-opted by violent extremist and racist groups whose divisive beliefs have no place in our Corps.”
Symbols are potent. Sometimes the symbols you choose are windows into your soul. The Confederate symbols and its battle flag stand for extremism and racism – the Marine Corps got it right.
Mr. Marvel should not have to roll in his grave. The Confederate memorial/flag has no place at a museum featuring Mr. Marvel’s incredible lifetime collection of carriages, historic buildings and artifacts. The historical society has lost sight of its mission.
Please stand with the Marvel family, the Marine Corps, NASCAR and the public. Act now!
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