I am writing to respond to Mike Salmon’s recent article in the Springfield Connection concerning a Zoom meeting held by Lee District supervisor Rodney Lusk about the possibility of renaming the Lee District.
Since when did the distinguished Lee family name become a dirty word here in Northern Virginia? The rich heritage of both the Washington family and the Lee family provide so much tourism for our state. They provided a foundation from which our country emerged.
I am firmly opposed to changing the name of the Lee District. It is a very recognizable name that has been in place a long time.
With all the problems we are facing right now why should we waste time, energy, money and political capital arguing over a name change? This is political correctness run amok.
I am a 60-year-old lifelong Alexandrian and although I am a resident of the city of Alexandria proper, I spend a lot of time in the Lee District. It is like a second home to me. My family doctor’s office is in the Rosehill Shopping Center, I shop and dine out in Lee District, and I do research in the Franconia Museum where curators Carl Sell and Don Hakenson are tireless workers preserving our local heritage.
I attend sporting events and concerts in the Lee District and I am a member of the National Capitol Model Soldiers Society, which holds its monthly meetings at Edison High. I visit friends at their homes in the Lee District.
So please leave the traditional name of the Lee District alone. Changing the name would only divide the community and create confusion and distrust and we don’t want that, do we?
Greg Paspatis
Alexandria