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Tell the Pentagon To Stop Erasing Heroes From History

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Sponsor: The Veterans Site

The military is deleting photos and stories of women and minorities who served — erasing heroes from history just because of who they are. This injustice must be stopped before more voices are silenced.

Tell the Pentagon To Stop Erasing Heroes From History

The Pentagon has begun deleting tens of thousands of images, videos, and stories from official websites — not because they were inaccurate, but because they featured women, Black service members, LGBTQ+ troops, and others whose contributions are now being reclassified as “DEI content” under a sweeping new order1.

Entire pages about the Tuskegee Airmen, the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, and World War II Medal of Honor recipients were removed without warning2. Stories of the first women to graduate from Marine infantry training were taken offline. Even the U.S. Army’s "People First" initiative, born out of a deadly scandal at Fort Hood, was erased from public view3.

Even the Word “Respect” Is Being Censored

Some content disappeared simply because it contained words like “respect,” “diversity,” or “justice”4 — language now flagged by the Army as inappropriate for official use. These changes aren't just cosmetic. They are deliberate, far-reaching, and already affecting how the military recruits, honors, and remembers those who served.

These Americans Deserve to Be Remembered

These are not anonymous figures. They are trailblazers and patriots. Their legacy matters. Scrubbing their stories does not protect national security — it weakens the moral foundation on which our armed forces stand.

The United States military has long drawn strength from its diversity. From segregated units in World War II to today’s all-volunteer force, Americans of all backgrounds have fought and died under the same flag. Their stories deserve to be remembered — not buried for political convenience.

Tell the Department of Defense: Restore the Records

We must demand better. The military cannot erase its own heroes and expect to retain the trust of the people it serves. Sign the petition today to urge the Secretary of Defense to restore these records and reaffirm the dignity of every American who has worn the uniform.

Honor those who served. Preserve their legacy. Sign the petition now.

More on this issue:

  1. Steve Beynon, Military.com (28 Feb 2025), "Army Deleting Online Content Related to Women, Minorities Using Key Words Like 'Respect' and 'Dignity'."
  2. Associated Press, AP News (6 Mar 2025), "War heroes and military firsts are among 26,000 images flagged for removal in Pentagon's DEI purge."
  3. Claire Barrett, Military Times (10 Feb 2025), "Army, Navy remove web pages highlighting women’s military service."
  4. PBS NewsHour Staff, PBS (18 Mar 2025), "Pentagon restores some webpages honoring minority service members but defends DEI purge."

The Petition

To the United States Secretary of Defense,

We, the undersigned, call for the immediate restoration of photos, videos, and stories that honor the service of women, Black Americans, and LGBTQ+ individuals in the U.S. military — materials that have recently been scrubbed from official platforms under current directives.

These men and women have served with distinction, many in combat, and their sacrifices are woven into the very fabric of American history. From the Tuskegee Airmen to the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, from the first female Rangers to openly LGBTQ+ service members — these are not footnotes. They are heroes.

The military has long stood as a symbol of unity and shared purpose. True strength lies not in erasing difference, but in honoring it. Diversity is not a distraction from mission readiness; it is a critical asset, proven time and again in the field. Removing these stories sends the harmful message that only some Americans’ service is worth remembering.

History must be preserved, not politicized. By restoring this content, the Department of Defense can reaffirm its commitment to truth, equity, and the values our nation claims to uphold.

We ask that you reverse this erasure and ensure every service member — regardless of race, gender, or orientation — is acknowledged and respected for their sacrifice.

Because honoring all who serve is not only just — it is how we build a better, stronger future for all.

Sincerely,

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