The FReeper Foxhole - Help Save A Veterans Memorial - Dec.14th,2002

Washington Post ^ | 12/09/2002 | Rene Sanchez

[SAMWolf]

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Veteran's Memorial Cross Threatened
MOJAVE NATIONAL PRESERVE, Calif. -- On a remote ridge known as Sunrise Rock, a five-foot cross erected long ago as a makeshift war memorial has survived harsh desert climates and recurring attacks by vandals. But soon it may be toppled for good by a more powerful force: the Constitution.

Meanwhile, Rep. Jerry Lewis (R-Calif.), whose district includes the sparsely populated communities of the Mojave, is trying to make the court decision moot with an unusual land swap.

To keep the cross standing, Lewis is proposing legislation to transfer an acre of the public land that surrounds the site to private interests. In exchange, a local landowner would donate five privately owned acres within the boundaries of the vast desert preserve to the federal government. The deal may be taken up early by the next Congress.



Longtime residents here say a World War I veteran who was a local miner erected the cross in 1934. Back then, it was two pieces of wood nailed together and stuck into the desert sands.

It has nearly been destroyed many times, either by nature or desert pranksters. For the past 20 years, its caretakers have been Henry and Wanda Sandoz, an elderly couple who live in the Mojave. They raise the cross whenever it falls and repair it when it gets damaged. Its latest incarnation is two metal pipes that have been welded together and bolted to a concrete base.

Wanda Sandoz, a retired school bus driver, said her husband cares for the cross -- and is determined to keep it standing -- because the man who first raised it in the desert asked him to make it a lasting memorial to veterans shortly before he died.

"My husband made a promise to one of his best friends," she said. "We'll do anything we can to keep the cross up. I can't imagine anyone taking offense to this. Maybe I could understand this debate if someone had tried to put it up recently. But it's been there for so long, and no one ever complained."

Sandoz said the cross serves a religious purpose only once a year, on Easter. "We all know what it's mostly there to honor," she said. "It's not about religion."

If Congress approves Lewis's latest plan, a local Veterans of Foreign Wars post will become the steward of the cross. If the ACLU prevails, Sandoz vowed to continue having solemn gatherings there.

"We would keep doing it even if one of us had to carry a cross up there every time," she said. "We can't imagine what it would be like not see it there after all this time.'

[SAMWolf]

This stupid anti-Chritian campaign just keeps going on becasue they seem to have unlimited funding, most townscan't afford to fight themso they give in.

[Victoria Delsoul]

OK, Misty. I'm doing the same, too. I'll talk to you later. :-)

[MistyCA]

btw....you know the other day when I was teasing you about that word you thought was mispelled? Well....I am sure you know by now that you spelled it right and I spelled it wrong! LOL! Just goes to show! :)

About the religious battles, I just don't get it how these people can be such hypocrits and freaks! I will bet my a$$ if you put Ted Turner and Jane Fonda in a Foxhole they would both be praying to the dear Lord above within a minute or two! How dare they (libs) question our faith!

[Victoria Delsoul]

Glad you liked it, Sam.

How about some Christmas song…

[SAMWolf]

Hard to believe that Christmas is almost here already. Wonder when the ACLU will try and ban that?

[Darksheare]

Makes one wonder if he opposes Arlington National Cemetary, right? That's row after row of little white crosses....

[Darksheare]

I find the Alaska class Battlecruisers (sic) to be very beautiful warships, even though they came into the fight tooo late in the war to do any good.

I have a book on it with design tablature and other errata.
Unfortunately, I have no scanner at the moment to do anyything with....

[Victoria Delsoul]

You're right, so let's enjoy while it lasts. :-)

[SAMWolf]

Even they ever did manage to ban it, it wouldn't stop me from enjoying it.

[MistyCA]

I remember....you had cavalry and I had calvary. just goes to show how much I now about war games! :)

[185JHP]

Thanks.

[MistyCA]

Of course they will! Here I am in the heart of socialist Minneapolis. How much of a scene do you think it will create if I put a manger scene in the front yard???

[SAMWolf]

As one as you don't put it up on "public" property you should be safe.

[Darksheare]

Here in socialist New York, if anyione takes offense at it, they state that it's put up in an effort to insult and create stir.. so you're forced to take it down. Happens at least once every year to some poor schmuck.

[MistyCA]

Yup....I think that happens more and more. Property rights don't exist is our socialist communities!

[SAMWolf]

Figures. And I bet you can't find out who complained if they don't want you to know.

[MistyCA]

No, you can't. It is considered confidential information to protect the guilty.

[SAMWolf]

What ever happened to being able to face your accuser?

[Darksheare]

Yup. Port Jervis New York was the most recent one around here to do that. they used to set up decorations in the median grass on main street.

Someone, a certain self described athiest there, complained. Thus, no decorations.
Port Jervis, in an effort to not appear to be bowing to the wishes of one lone nut, put out a statement that due to VANDALS, they wouldn't be out there this year. That was 2001, and they haven't put them out this year either.
But they have put lights up.

The timing of the complaint, an dthe removal of the decorations was just too coincidental.

[Darksheare]

Violates his first amendment rights.