Controversy Surrounds Renaming of Ohio's Wayne National Forest

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Forest Service has proposed renaming Ohio's Wayne National Forest to Buckeye National Forest, sparking a debate over the controversial history of its namesake, Gen. "Mad" Anthony Wayne. Wayne played a significant role in defeating indigenous tribes in Ohio and paving the way for westward expansion, but his actions also involved violence and destruction. Indigenous communities support the name change, while others argue that it denigrates Ohio's history and shows a lack of fidelity to the nation's founding generation. The debate highlights the complex legacy of Wayne and the need to remember history while acknowledging its darker aspects.