“In my estimation, [Lee was] one of the supremely gifted men produced by our Nation…selfless almost to a fault…noble as a leader and as a man, and unsullied as I read the pages of our history. From deep conviction I simply say this: a nation of men of Lee’s caliber would be unconquerable in spirit and soul. Indeed, to the degree that present-day American youth will strive to emulate his rare qualities…we, in our own time of danger in a divided world, will be strengthened and our love of freedom sustained.”

– President Dwight D. Eisenhower, on Robert E. Lee