Honor guardsman is fired for blessings

Philadelphia Inquirer ^ | 1/22/2003 | David O'Reilly

[sjersey]

As a military honor guardsman, Patrick Cubbage had a simple message to the families of deceased veterans at graveside services.

"God bless you and this family, and God bless the United States of America," he would say as he presented a folded flag to them.

Because of that, Cubbage was fired in October from his job at the Brig. Gen. William C. Doyle Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Burlington County, near McGuire Air Force Base.

He breached cemetery protocol, his supervisor said, by deviating from the script.

"No family member ever objected," Cubbage, 54, a Vietnam combat veteran, retired Philadelphia police officer, and former city bail commissioner, said in a recent interview at his Northeast Philadelphia home.

"They were always very grateful - and sometimes very moved. People would even grip my hand and say things like 'Thank you so much.' "

[sjersey]

The PC crowd is at it again!

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[DoughtyOne]

< sarcasm > How dare that bastard! Doesn't he realize he fought to make sure this NEVER happened in our nation?< /saracasm >

The lunatics are running the asylum.

[Fiddlstix]

The lunatics are running the asylum.

Amen!

[firewalk]

Bttt

[Types_with_Fist]

He "deviated" from the script alright...the PC, anti-God, anti-American, leftist script.
Today's News

[Texas_Jarhead]

If anyone is interested in calling Mr. Dumbass (Iven Dumas) then here is a link to the contact page, http://www.state.nj.us/military/cemetery/general.html

[Robe]

I did a Google search for this cemetery, and found the following:
There is no direct E-Mail Address for the Cemetery or the persons named, however there is a link to the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs:

http://www.nj.gov/military/admin/main_contact.html

The only other contact info I could find is this ( perhaps someone with better skills than myself could get more info)

Contacting Doyle Veterans Cemetery
By Phone: General Information, Grave Location and Interments 609-758-7250 or
Fax 609-758-0169.
By Mail: BG William C. Doyle Veterans Memorial Cemetery
350 Province line Road
Wrightstown, New Jersey 08562

[dighton]

The lunatics are running the asylum.

Agreed, this firing is nuts.

[Prolix]

The Constitution of the United States, Amendment I

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

Congress shall make no law prohibiting the free exercise of religion.

[Corin Stormhands]

Fired off an email. This pisses me off.

We buried my father-in-law in November. A two-bronze star recipient veteran of WWII. The officer's comments to my mother-in-law moved us all. I can't even remember if he said "God bless you." But after the salute, he bent back down and with tears in his eyes said, "I'm very sorry for your loss."

God have mercy on us all if idiots like Dumas are in charge.

[FR_addict]

Words fail me. This is such a sad commentary on the state of our country.

I would like to see President Bush address this issue.

[Congressman Billybob]

Somebody with a direct contact with O'Reilly should give him a heads-up on this story. He'll jump on it with both feet. (Just last night he had on the two whistle-blowers at the Livermore Labs. He got them reinstated.)

Congressman Billybob

Lastest UPI column, "Ping-Pong Reporting," is now up on FR.

Lastest book(let): "to Restore Trust in America."

[vin-one]

at the risk of getting flamed really bad,
not sure how I feel about this, the last military funeral I attended the script went something like,
I am sorry for your loss! whispered to the widow.
the honor gaurd script is an order, to disobey orders is a bad bad thing.
Now do I agree with saying G Bless,( heck yeah)
orders is orders boss,
anyway my half cent worth....

[LiteKeeper]

read later

[PISANO]

"God bless you and this family, and God bless the United States of America,"

This homily is IN the guide for presenting the flag to a spouse or child of the deceased veteran. Amazing that he got fired for doing what the MANUAL says. PC to the extreme.

[griffin]

Just fired off an email:
I recently read about your firing of military honor guardsman, Patrick Cubbage. I want to express to you the degree of revulsion I felt reading it. I am appauled by this countries continued destain for the Almighty who's blessing has allowed us to become what we are today.

You worry about offending minorities. Well Sir, you have offended ME, a God fearing Christian! Not only this, but more importantly, the people Christian people who's loved ones sacrificed all need that reassurance on that faithful day.

You people act like "God Bless..." is a filty word. Your actions, and the actions of YOUR people under you disgust me. May the Lord have mercy on your soul. As you turn your back on the Lord these days, so will He turn his back on you on His Judgement Day, when every knee shall bend and every tongue confess, either willingly OR unwillingly, that HE is Lord.

Utterly Disgusted,
Griffin

[Darksheare]

As a former soldier I cannot, and am not able to find words to properly express my anger at this dishonorable act.
If I had served in war, this soldier, or another like him, would have presented my family with my flag in the event of my death. Personally, I would expect the blessing to be said.

And then the PC idiots trivialize the sacrifice of the soldiers just to omit God?!?!

[vetvetdoug]

Jews and Muslims would be offended for the utterance of God? I guess that proves that the government agrees that Jews and Muslims are Godless. (Sarcasm to those of you that are offended).