NAMPA, Idaho, July 3 /Christian Newswire/ -- This marks the first time in the 42 year history of the event that a flyover request was denied by the Pentagon.
The event is held ever year to honor the spiritual foundations of our country with a special emphasis on the men and women who serve in the armed forces.
In past years, the "God and Country Rally" has focused on honoring and paying tribute to those veterans who have served our nation in the past and those who are currently on active duty.
At the rally this year, all five branches of the armed services were featured with over 60 new recruits sworn into the military at the event.
After a phone conversation and an e-mail response from the Pentagon, Rally Director Patti Syme says they were denied the request for a flyover this year because of the "Christian" nature of the event.
The Christian Defense Coalition says this is a "slap in the face" to all those who have proudly served or are currently on active duty in the armed services.
The group is concerned that this new policy may indicate an open hostility toward public expressions of faith by the Obama Administration.
Rev. Patrick J. Mahoney, Director of the Christian Defense Coalition, states,
"For years, flyovers have been allowed by the Pentagon at the 'God and Country Rally' in Nampa Idaho. These flyovers were not to endorse or promote any one religious faith tradition. Rather, they were held to honor and pay tribute to our heroic men and women who have served or are currently serving in our armed forces.
"For the Obama Administration to deny a flyover for the first time, is a slap in the face to all those who proudly serve our country especially when we are at war. These flyovers have been a special part of the 'God and Country Rally' for many years.
"Will the new policy of President Obama be that a person has to surrender their faith tradition to honor and pay tribute to our courageous men and women who serve in the military?
"With respect to the economic concerns that the Pentagon mentioned, I would answer this way. If we can pay hundreds thousands of dollars for President Obama to go on a date with his wife to see a Broadway show and have an expensive dinner in New York City, we can certainly find a way to honor our brave men and women who serve in the armed services with a simple flyover.
"The Christian Defense Coalition will diligently work to reverse this unjust policy and determine why this flyover was denied in the first place."
Brandi Swindell, national Christian activist and Director of Generation Life, based in Idaho, adds,
"For the Pentagon to deny this flyover for the first time in the history of our state is deeply troubling and disturbing.
"During a time of war and especially around the 4th of July we should be doing all within our power as a nation to honor and respect our military.
"It must be stressed that the flyover was not to honor Christianity but to honor our fallen heroes who have proudly given their lives to protect our country and advance the cause of liberty around the world.
"Does this mean in the future that all public rallies must be stripped of any expressions of faith to respect our military? This Administration should be protecting religious expression in the public square not crushing it.
"I hope that President Obama will reverse this unjust policy and next year we will be allowed to give the military the honor they deserve."
Originally posted by utherpendragonhey just think of all of the gas it will save, and how wunnerful that will be for the environment.
NAMPA, Idaho, July 3 /Christian Newswire/ -- This marks the first time in the 42 year history of the event that a flyover request was denied by the Pentagon.
The event is held ever year to honor the spiritual foundations of our country with a special emphasis on the men and women who serve in the armed forces.
In past years, the "God and Count next year we will be allowed to give the military the honor they deserve."
bet i know which party you voted for 😉
ps cant they get that tame eagle to fly over instead, much more patriotic😵
another example:
(CNSNews.com) - Georgetown University says it covered over the monogram “IHS”--symbolizing the name of Jesus Christ—because it was inscribed on a pediment on the stage where President Obama spoke at the university on Tuesday and the White House had asked Georgetown to cover up all signs and symbols there.
Of course Obama doesn't like Christians. If you had to listen to a goon like Jeremiah Wright every Sunday (or most Sundays anyway, since we know Barack always skips church when Wright says things like "God Damn America" and about how 9/11 was justified), wouldn't you hate the religion that made you come?
Originally posted by utherpendragonWould you be in favor of American Atheists spending taxpayer money to stage a flyover for atheist servicemen? Do you think that memorials that specifically exclude non-christian servicemen are a wise use of taxpayer money?
NAMPA, Idaho, July 3 /Christian Newswire/ -- This marks the first time in the 42 year history of the event that a flyover request was denied by the Pentagon.
The event is held ever year to honor the spiritual foundations of our country with a special emphasis on the men and women who serve in the armed forces.
In past years, the "God and Count ...[text shortened]... next year we will be allowed to give the military the honor they deserve."
Originally posted by rwingett"God and Country Rally" has focused on honoring and paying tribute to those veterans who have served our nation in the past and those who are currently on active duty.
Would you be in favor of American Atheists spending taxpayer money to stage a flyover for atheist servicemen? Do you think that memorials that specifically exclude non-christian servicemen are a wise use of taxpayer money?
thats what this rally is about.it does not exclude non-christian servicemen.
If there was a atheist rally for the past half a century where they had fly overs and Obama stopped it i would have a issue w/that as well.But,thats not the case and i doubt it would ever be.
Originally posted by utherpendragonThe very name "God and Country Rally" specifically excludes atheist servicemen. Federal involvement in such a rally would constitute an endorsement of religion. If they want to hold a private rally, using private funds exclusively, then more power to them. But I, for one, do not want my tax dollars paying for the further entanglement of church and state. The fact that they've been doing it for a long time doesn't mean its right.
"God and Country Rally" has focused on honoring and paying tribute to those veterans who have served our nation in the past and those who are currently on active duty.
thats what this rally is about.it does not exclude non-christian servicemen.
If there was a atheist rally for the past half a century where they had fly overs and Obama stopped it i would have a issue w/that as well.But,thats not the case and i doubt it would ever be.
Originally posted by rwingetti disagree. our constitution speaks of God and that does not exclude atheist. Our money says "in God we trust" that does not exclude atheist from using it. i may be wrong,but it sounds to me like you are saying you want no mention of God in government or anything to do w/tax payer dollars.Am I correct?
The very name "God and Country Rally" specifically excludes atheist servicemen. Federal involvement in such a rally would constitute an endorsement of religion. If they want to hold a private rally, using private funds exclusively, then more power to them. But I, for one, do not want my tax dollars paying for the further entanglement of church and state. The fact that they've been doing it for a long time doesn't mean its right.
Originally posted by utherpendragonOur Constitution does not mention god at all. It is an entirely secular document.
i disagree. our constitution speaks of God and that does not exclude atheist. Our money says "in God we trust" that does not exclude atheist from using it. i may be wrong,but it sounds to me like you are saying you want no mention of God in government or anything to do w/tax payer dollars.Am I correct?
"In God We Trust" did not begin to appear on US coinage until 1876. It did not appear on currency until the 1950s. We did just fine for most of our history without such a divisive motto. It should be removed. The motto does not prevent atheists from using it, but it does imply that they are second class citizens.
You are correct. I want no mention of god in anything to do with the Federal government and with anything connected to taxpayer money. The wall of separation between state and church should be solidly enforced.