Crew of CSS Hunley laid to rest

The final crew of CSS H.L. Hunley, the first submarine to sink an enemy vessel, was laid to rest alongside the first two crews of the submarine today. The event seems to have provoked some limited controversy over having a ceremony to honor Confederate sailors, but while acknowledging that Confederate symbols have been appropriated by white supremacist loons, I think this misses the point.

The Confederates, who fought for various reasons were ultimately American soldiers who died for their beliefs, and should be honored as such. The causes of the Civil War have in recent years been rendered down to the slavery and States' Rights issues, but netiher really encompasses the totality of strife between the sections of the United States.

At least to my mind, burying these men with full military honors was the appropriate way to lay them to rest. Others are welcome to their own opinions, of course.