[dbehsman]

Slaves had to do what their masters told them to do under the threat of punishment or sale- do you really think Ike could have said "No, I rather stay behind" without consequences?

Don't you think it's kind of odd though that Ike would have attended so many Confederate reunions of his own free will?

[Jedi Master Pikachu]

He earned it (if he did serve as a Confederate soldier).

It seems akin to modern day veterans from World War 2, Korea, or Vietnam who were drafted, potentially against their will. They have the right to attend veteran reunions, and might have friends at veterans reunions, and might choose to attend veterans reunions, because they did serve in their respective wars, not that they wanted to serve in the first place.