The Mojave Desert Memorial cross boarded up by the ACLU and liberal courts while the case is on appeal to the United States Supreme Court. The case goes before the High Court later this fall.
Posted on 09/17/2009 7:34:56 AM PDT by smokingfrog
Six soldiers dedicated to the preservation of a cross erected atop a hill in the Mojave Desert as a war memorial passed through Sierra Vista on Tuesday on their way to visit the controversial site.
The soldiers, all of whom returned from a tour of duty in Iraq two weeks ago, left Fort Polk, La., on Monday and will arrive Thursday at the Mojave Desert Memorial. There, according to Sgt. Zachary Thomson, they will meet up with an estimated 500 veterans, their families and friends to commemorate the lives of slain soldiers by reading off their names, holding a moment of silence and conducting a wreath laying.
Their journey began when Thomson was informed of the American Civil Liberties Union intent to have the cross removed from the site, which is within the Mojave National Preserve, after a former National Park Service employee complained about a religious symbol being on federal land.
The ACLU successfully argued for the removal of the cross through the lower levels of the federal court system, and on Oct. 7, the case will be heard by the Supreme Court of the United States.
Thomson said he first heard about the ACLU’s efforts from his father while in Iraq. He told his friend Sgt. Weldon J. Kelly, and soon after the two began contacting everyone they could about saving the cross.
“Every day, we just spent hours sending out e-mail after e-mail,” said Kelly.
The two soon gained support among their fellow soldiers, like Pfc. Branden Gooshaw, who said the cross represents the sacrifice of “all the men and women who gave their lives for this country.”
The cross was erected 75 years ago by veterans of World War I to honor the lives of Americans who died in the conflict.
(Excerpt) Read more at svherald.com ...
The Mojave Desert Memorial cross boarded up by the ACLU and liberal courts while the case is on appeal to the United States Supreme Court. The case goes before the High Court later this fall.
What would we do without the beloved American Commie Lovers Union?
I’d sure as hell like to find out!
Militant
I blame the government for not properly vetting the land before making it a preserve...obviously the cross has been there longer than the park.
The Mojave Desert Memorial cross boarded up by the ACLU and liberal courts while the case is on appeal to the United States Supreme Court. The case goes before the High Court later this fall.
"For twenty-three years, I've been dying to tell you what I thought of you! And now -- well, being a Christian woman, I can't say it!"-- Auntie Em, from The Wizard of Oz
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