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The FReeper Foxhole - Help Save A Veterans Memorial - Dec.14th,2002
Washington Post ^ | 12/09/2002 | Rene Sanchez

Posted on 12/14/2002 5:50:27 AM PST by SAMWolf

U.S. Military History, Current Events and Veterans Issues

Where Duty, Honor and Country
are acknowledged, affirmed and commemorated.

Our Mission:

The FReeper Foxhole is dedicated to Veterans of our Nation's military forces and to others who are affected in their relationships with Veterans.

We hope to provide an ongoing source of information about issues and problems that are specific to Veterans and resources that are available to Veterans and their families.

In the FReeper Foxhole, Veterans or their family members should feel free to address their specific circumstances or whatever issues concern them in an atmosphere of peace, understanding, brotherhood and support.

Resource Links For Veterans


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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.'


(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...


TOPICS: VetsCoR
KEYWORDS: aclu; freeperfoxhole; memorial; veterans
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To: SAMWolf
Even they ever did manage to ban it, it wouldn't stop me from enjoying it.

Good thinking, Sam. :-)

81 posted on 12/14/2002 3:08:50 PM PST by Victoria Delsoul
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To: SAMWolf
LMAO! Yes, whatever happened to that? Beats me!
82 posted on 12/14/2002 3:11:46 PM PST by MistyCA
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To: Victoria Delsoul
I refuse to be PC.
83 posted on 12/14/2002 3:43:24 PM PST by SAMWolf
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To: MistyCA
SHH, please don't give 'em any ideas! But I would not put it past the ACLU to try it some time down the line.
Oh! HiYa Misty!
84 posted on 12/14/2002 4:34:13 PM PST by cavtrooper21
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To: cavtrooper21
*SSSh! Don't tell them where I am.*
85 posted on 12/14/2002 5:07:10 PM PST by Darksheare
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To: cavtrooper21
Oh! Hiya, Cav! Shhhh....I heard ya! :)
86 posted on 12/14/2002 5:08:29 PM PST by MistyCA
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To: Darksheare; MistyCA; AntiJen; SAMWolf
*Stands under huge neon sign*
"I'm camoflage! You can't see me! You can't see me!"
(Sign reads: I'm right here!)
87 posted on 12/14/2002 5:11:24 PM PST by Darksheare
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To: MistyCA; AntiJen; SAMWolf
(I know, incorrect spelling.. but that's not the point of the joke..)
88 posted on 12/14/2002 5:12:13 PM PST by Darksheare
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To: AntiJen

89 posted on 12/14/2002 5:22:12 PM PST by GailA
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To: Darksheare
Psssst! SHHHHHH!!!!!!!!
90 posted on 12/14/2002 5:31:05 PM PST by MistyCA
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To: Darksheare; AntiJen; Victoria Delsoul
Okay....I am coming to cover your butt !

JEN! Victoria! We need tank cover over here!

91 posted on 12/14/2002 5:33:37 PM PST by MistyCA
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To: GailA
Oh, Gail! That's gorgeous!
92 posted on 12/14/2002 5:34:15 PM PST by MistyCA
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To: Darksheare
I got em in my sites!
93 posted on 12/14/2002 5:36:13 PM PST by MistyCA
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To: GailA
Oooh! OOoh!
Where did you find it?
94 posted on 12/14/2002 5:36:28 PM PST by Darksheare
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To: MistyCA
*Looks around carefully*
Umm... why are these red dots on me?
95 posted on 12/14/2002 5:37:17 PM PST by Darksheare
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To: Darksheare
Well, sheesh! DUCK!
96 posted on 12/14/2002 5:39:31 PM PST by MistyCA
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To: Darksheare; AntiJen; Victoria Delsoul
taking a break....waiting for Jen and Victoria to get the tanks here!


97 posted on 12/14/2002 5:41:24 PM PST by MistyCA
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To: MistyCA
*Beats down attack wave of the viscious crickets*
98 posted on 12/14/2002 5:42:35 PM PST by Darksheare
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To: Darksheare
Those aren't crickets! Those are those aweful birds that keep trying to pick off my coconuts! Smack!
99 posted on 12/14/2002 5:48:04 PM PST by MistyCA
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To: Darksheare; AntiJen; Victoria Delsoul; SAMWolf
WE NEED TANK SUPPORT OVER HERE!
100 posted on 12/14/2002 5:49:44 PM PST by MistyCA
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