Alan, Bryan, Linda,
I agree with you on The Civil War, and about Yankee service. I believe in being impartial and studying it from a historical perspective. The War shaped our nation's history, and whether or not we like the outcome, or which side did or did not win, it cannot be changed. As a menber of the U.S. Armed Forces, I cannot not view the Union Army in a negative manner.
And personally, I could not be completely against the union as I had ancestors who fought for our country from the American Revolution thru the Civil War. My (maternal)great grandfather was in the 13th Indinia Calvary. He was underage, and enlisted as a substitute for a man with a rather large family. He served his time, and had some of his muster out pay taken from him to pay for a rifle sling lost during operations near Vicksburg. My wife had ancestors who were confederates who faced the 13th at Vicksburg. My great great grandfather on my dad's side was Confederate, but some of the family served in the Union army.
Hear goes my personal opinion, I wil fire away and fall back with this!

I view the war like my dad has always taught me:
"two wrongs dont make a right".

Both sides in my opinion were wrong for it to take a war to get the issues resolved.

Both sides were right in their opinions and assertions, ("the two sided coin of freedom"), and it makes no sense to me to keep holding ill will about it.

I know of many "Confederates" in the reenacting ranks who absolutely refuse to "galvanize" and be willing to portray a union soldier. I have known a few "union" men in the reenactment ranks who would never dare touch confederate gray.

To me that is a shame and they miss the whole point of perserving history thru reenacting.

Being an "Arkansas Confederate", it is often hard to find true died in the wool yankees in blue to fire powder at. Somebody has to be willing to be targets for the Southern sharpshooters and cannoneers! I am one who is not ashamed to put on the Union blue.

By the same token, I am not ashamed, nor will I let anyone shame me for wearing the Confederate Gray.
I am proud of my southern heritage, and I make no apologies.
I having nothing to do with the klu klux klan, or other white supremacy groups who do a diservice to the proud southern men they claim to honor. I do not want a radical few on both sides to ruin our right to be proud of our heritage.

The important part of perserving history is to make sure we do not make the same mistake in the future.
Sorry about climbing up on the soapbox!
Thank you for the opportunity to express my opinion with yours!