OUR VIEW: Duvall’s thoughts couldn’t be more true

» We applaud a celebrity for coming to the aid of the battlefield

Actor Robert Duvall is most likely known for his roles in “The Godfather Part II” and “Gods and Generals,” but around these parts he should be known for his common sense.

Duvall recently visited the Wilderness Battlefield, where an ongoing battle between the supporters of the battlefield and Wal-Mart is starting to remind some of the famous skirmish between the Union and Confederate armies.

But Duvall put an interesting spin on the situation when he said, “I certainly believe in capitalism but I believe in capitalism coupled with sensitivity.”

Therein lies the problem. Many see Wal-Mart as a faceless, cruel giant — incapable of understanding why someone would want to preserve land, land the company feels is best utilized as a giant retail machine. It’s true that having a Wal-Mart in Orange County could prove to inject some much needed cash into the coffers. But at what cost to our heritage?

The trick, as Duvall so eloquently pointed out, is finding the right balance between the two. We hope that both sides come together to find a solution. There’s already been too much blood spilled on the land.

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On a happier Civil War-themed note, we’d like to congratulate and thank the Blue and Gray Education Society and The Yellow Ribbon Fund for sponsoring a group of wounded veterans who recently toured the Brandy Station battlefield.

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Finally, we’d like to simply point out how interesting Joe Rokus’ articles were on the Chewning Family and the Wilderness Battlefield (“Caught in the Fury,” April 26 and “Long-lost relatives found after Civil War article,” May 3).

Rokus’ first story led to the follow-up, as Culpeper resident Jo Ann Colvin came forward with a painting that reunited her with relatives she didn’t even know she had.

It’s just another tale of history bringing families together, and an interesting one at that.