US Congressman Duncan Hunter (R-CA) sent a letter to Camp Pendleton’s commanding officer Colonel Nicholas Marano indicating his support for allowing the now-controversial memorial cross to remain standing in order to honor four US Marines who fell in Iraq:
Majs. Douglas Zembiec and Ramon Mendoza, and Lance Cpls. Robert Zurheide and Aaron Austin..
What makes Hunter’s call unique, besides his status as a member of Congress?
He was there. Read more
Around the nation and around the world, US military bases are hosting tree lighting ceremonies as the Christmas celebration approaches.
Not unlike the controversy in Rhode Island, some bases choose to avoid the word “Christmas,” instead using the term “holiday tree” (even as they have Jewish Menorahs, as opposed to a holiday candelabrum, erected nearby). Some recent events Read more
Several news sources reported the US government position that “gay rights are human rights” and the “obstacles” in the way of homosexual “rights” are based on “religious beliefs.”
[US Secretary of State Hillary] Clinton noted that among the challenges facing LGBT people is “when people cite religious or cultural values as a reason to violate or not to protect the human rights of LGBT citizens…”
Secretary Clinton said Read more
Last week President Barack Obama hosted the annual White House Hanukkah reception with Vice President Biden. The West Point Jewish Chapel Cadet Choir performed at the event. Obama specifically mentioned the military in his statement:
Let’s think about those who are spending this holiday far away from home -– including members of our military who guard Read more
Walli Mujahidh is one of two men charged with planning to attack a Seattle military recruiting center. The two were apparently inspired by the Fort Hood massacre; their planned attack was one of 11 the military has faced in recent years from those supposedly motivated in some part by their Islamic faith.
Mujahidh has pled guilty and faces 32 years Read more
Commandant of the US Marine Corps General James Amos was the most senior military member to oppose repeal of the policy known as “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” In an AP story last week, Amos indicates he is “very pleased” with how repeal has been implemented, but has no regrets about his initial opposition.
The article, perhaps unintentionally, demonstrates a misunderstanding of the situation as it equates silence with ambivalence:
The apparent absence of angst about gays serving openly in the Marines seemed to confirm Amos’ view that Read more
Just one day after their cross was pulled down from their chapel, five US Marines were baptized in Camp Marmal in a public affirmation of their faith:
[A] congregation of worshipers…witnessed the five service members publicly proclaim their belief in a higher power.
At the conclusion of the service, each service member was baptized individually, taking a backward plunge into a tub of water that was placed inside the chapel.
“This [the baptism] is only the beginning of their spiritual journey,” said Maj. Xuan Tran, chaplain…
The symbolic gesture of Read more
Much has been made of Texas Governor Rick Perry’s latest campaign commercial saying he would “end Obama’s war on religion.” What is interesting is how he chose to characterize that fight against religion:
There’s something wrong in this country when gays can serve openly in the military but our kids can’t openly celebrate Christmas or pray in school…
Governor Perry associated the open service of Read more