FOR THE RECORD

Confederate soldiers, sailors, and marines who fought in the Civil War, were made U.S. Veterans by an act of Congress in 1957. U.S. Public Law 85-425 May 23, 1958 (H.R. 358) (Attached & Link Below)

This made the Confederate Army, Navy, and Marine Veterans equal to U.S. Veterans. Additionally, under U.S. Public Law 810 (Link Below), approved by the 17th Congress on 26 Feb 1929, The War Department was directed to erect headstones and recognize Confederate grave sites as U.S. War grave sites.

Just for the record, the last Confederate veteran died in 1958. So, in essence, when you remove a confederate statue, monument, or headstone, you are in fact removing a statue, monument, or headstone OF A U.S. VETERAN.

U.S. Public Law 85-425 May 23, 1958 (H.R. 358)

"(e) For the purpose of this section, and section 433, the term 'veteran' includes a person who served in the military or naval forces of the Confederate States of America during the Civil War, and the term 'active, military or naval service' includes active service in such forces.

http://uscode.house.gov/statutes/pl/85/425.pdf

http://uscode.house.gov/statutes/pl/85/810.pdf