Adapted from reporting by Christopher Bedford, Beltway Brief, August 5, 2025 – read original article here.

A long-absent piece of American military history is headed back to its intended place of honor at Arlington National Cemetery. The “Reconciliation Monument,” created by renowned sculptor and Confederate veteran Moses Jacob Ezekiel, will be reinstalled near the artist’s own gravesite after being dismantled and crated in 2023.

The decision follows an agreement between Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin, the U.S. Department of Defense, and the Army’s Center of Military History. Under the deal, Virginia will loan the monument to Arlington for the next 50 years. The restoration and reassembly of the 32-foot bronze will take roughly two years, with a public unveiling planned for 2027. Interpretive panels will accompany the statue to explain its Civil War origins and its place in the long road toward national healing.

An Artist, a Soldier, and a Vision of Peace

Moses Ezekiel (1844-1917) was the first Jewish-American sculptor to earn international acclaim. A Virginia Military Institute cadet during the Civil War, he fought at the 1864 Battle of New Market, where he lost both his shoes and his roommate in the muddy aftermath.

His Arlington monument — commissioned decades later by President William McKinley and dedicated by President Woodrow Wilson — portrays the Roman goddess Virtus in solemn watch, honoring fallen comrades and symbolizing reconciliation between North and South. Six of Ezekiel’s fellow VMI cadets are buried at its base.

Why It Matters

The statue’s return is more than an art restoration — it’s a deliberate step toward preserving the full scope of American military history. The placement in Arlington reflects a tradition, begun after the Spanish-American War, of honoring service from both sides of the Civil War in the spirit of unity.

Governor Youngkin emphasized the importance of presenting history in context:

“This statue allows us to better understand the complex history of the United States.”

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth called the piece “a beautiful and historic sculpture” that “rightfully” belongs at Arlington near Ezekiel’s grave.

A Timeline to Watch

  • 2023 – Monument dismantled and placed in storage.

  • 2025 – Virginia and the Department of Defense reach a 50-year loan agreement.

  • 2027 – Expected completion of restoration and public display at Arlington Cemetery.

For many veterans, including those here in Texas, the project is a reminder that reconciliation, like military service itself, demands commitment, perspective, and respect for those who came before.

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