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Tag Archives: christmas
US Military Celebrates a Merry Christmas
From around the world:
Operation Christmas Drop, the annual event in which C-130s drop packages to remote Pacific Islands, completed its 61st year.
Airmen from Yokota Air Base, Japan, were joined by the University of Guam, the local community and charitable organizations to provide more than 39,000 pounds of humanitarian supplies to islanders during Operation Christmas Drop Dec. 11 to 18.
A commenter on AF.mil site sarcastically noted it is only a matter of time before someone complains about the name of the operation hiding an attempt to conver the locals…
The Stars and Stripes had a few more details, including the Operation’s use of condemned Air Force parachutes, and the unfortunate consequences of using a chute that’s too small.
A San Antonio-based US Army Public Affairs Read more
Update 2: Atheist Ends Military Nativity in Bahrain
Update: A letter to the editor of the Stars and Stripes questions Torpy’s “odd idea of religious freedom.”
Former Army Captain and current atheist Jason Torpy was working overtime doing damage control over the past week, as various outlets picked up the story of his complaint over the “live nativity” occurring during NSA Bahrain’s annual “Holiday Tree Lighting.” His comments appeared on a variety of sites covering the controversy; in each case, he basically said he didn’t demand NSA Bahrain cancel it — he just called it “unconstitutional” and a danger to US troops — that’s all. Of course, he did say that cancelling it was “preferable to” letting it happen:
If the scene had to be cancelled, that is unfortunate but it is also preferable to the government-sponsored proselytism [*See note, below] the Live Nativity would have added to an otherwise positive celebration.
FoxNews accurately reported that Torpy’s complaint to the Inspector General led to the cancellation of the event to occur during Read more
Update: Navy Cancels Nativity after Atheist Complains
FoxNews picked up the story of atheist Jason Torpy’s IG complaint about NSA Bahrain’s children’s “live Nativity.” In comments on many of the articles now featuring this topic, Torpy has been roundly criticized as a Grinch — and it seems he lost the support even of some fellow atheists.
At the Christian Post, OneNewsNow, and DC CBS.
Atheists Force End to US Troops’ Nativity Tradition Overseas
Some people claim there’s a “war on Christmas” when retailers substitute “Happy Holidays” for “Merry Christmas.” While some customers or employees may take issue, the retailers’ choices of words probably have little impact on anything, including their bottom line.
By contrast, some atheists are actively working against “Christmas” in the US military — which has a direct and measurable impact on US troops, especially those stationed thousands of miles from the familiar celebrations of home.
As noted previously, the annual raising of “holiday” or “Christmas” trees and Menorahs has begun on US military installations around the world. The chapels of some bases also put up nativity scenes, as Travis AFB famously did last year.
The US military facility known as “Naval Support Activity (NSA) Bahrain” has held an annual Christmas tree lighting for years. As part of that activity, carols have been sung, Santa has found his oversized chair, and excessive amounts of cookies and Christmas drinks have been consumed. In addition, the event has featured a “live nativity,” composed of base children and local animals. The event even included a photogenic camel.
Jason Torpy, a former Army captain and current atheist activist, considers “a Christmas tree, presents, some [non-Christian] songs, and even Santa Claus as trappings of secular Christmas.” The nativity, then, had to go. So an IG complaint was filed [emphasis Read more
US Military Bases Start Raising Holiday Displays
In a continuation of the annual tradition, US military bases are beginning to erect “holiday displays” around the world. Often, though not always, they consist of a Christmas tree (recognizing Christmas, for those who might not get the connection) and possibly a Menorah (for Hanukkah). In some cases, the tree is a “holiday tree,” though the Menorah has yet to be dubbed a “holiday candelabra.”
Iwakuni performed its “holiday tree lighting” just prior to Thanksgiving, though the article acknowledges it is, in fact, a Christmas tree. Many military bases are performing the ceremonies this weekend, including the Dyess AFB Christmas tree and Menorah, and what a local paper called the Fort Bragg “holiday tree and Menorah” lighting, though Fort Bragg announced its annual Christmas tree lighting.
Americans United Threatens CA Town over Nativity Proposal
Barry Lynn of Americans United for the Separation of Church and state threatened to sue the city of Santa Monica over its proposed ‘holiday display’ policy for the Christmas/Hanukkah season. Last year it had a “lottery system” which was dominated by anti-religious displays. Americans United
threatened to sue the City of Santa Monica if it moves forward Tuesday with a proposal by Nativity scene organizers that would ban signs and banners that “denigrate” holiday traditions.
It’s a mixed bag, actually. The concept of free speech Read more
The US Military and Christmas Around the World
A few examples of the US military’s commitment to supporting its servicemembers through their religious celebrations:
At Ali Al Salem in Kuwait, a Christmas Eve candlelight service was the “culminating event over the month of celebration.”
US Army Chief of Chaplains MajGen Donald Rutherford presided over a Christmas Eve Catholic Mass at Camp Buehring, Kuwait.
Chief of Staff of the Air Force General Norton Schwartz Read more