INDIANAPOLIS (May 11, 2010) – The American Legion vowed to continue its fight to preserve a veterans’ war memorial in the Mojave desert, even after vandals have apparently removed the cross in the middle of the night.
“This was never about one cross,” said The American Legion National Commander Clarence E. Hill. “It’s about the right to honor our nation’s veterans in a manner in which the overwhelming majority supports. The American Legion strongly believes the public has a right to protect its memorials.”
The lawless act is just the latest chapter in a decade-long legal fight pitting The American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Liberty Institute and several other organizations against the American Civil Liberties Union and other groups that find the cross offensive.
According to a statement issued by the Mojave National Preserve, the cross was reported missing on Monday morning by staff of the National Park Service who went to the site to replace the wooden cover that had been removed from the cross sometime earlier. The cross has stood for the last 76 years as a memorial to World War I soldiers. The American Legion and its allies won what was widely believed to be a Supreme Court victory on April 28, when the court ruled that the memorial was not an overtly religious symbol. Moreover, Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy wrote that “the Constitution does not oblige government to avoid any public acknowledgment of religion’s role in society.” The Supreme Court ordered a lower court to reconsider the case.
The desecration of the memorial, did not sit well with Hill. “Reports that the Mojave Cross was illegally removed overnight are very disturbing,” he said. “The American Legion expects whoever is responsible for this vile act to be brought to justice. While the memorial has been attacked, the fight will continue to ensure that veterans memorials will remain sacrosanct.”
“This is an outrage, akin to desecrating people’s graves,” said Kelly Shackelford, president / CEO of Liberty Institute. “It’s a disgraceful act on the selfless act of our veterans. We will not rest until this memorial is re-installed.”
A $25,000 reward is being offered for information leading to the arrest of those responsible. Anyone with information about the crime is asked to call (760) 252-6120.
With a membership of 2.5-million wartime veterans, The American Legion was founded in 1919 on the four pillars of a strong national security, veterans affairs, Americanism, and patriotic youth programs. Legionnaires work for the betterment of their communities through more than 14,000 posts across the nation.
WASHINGTON (April 28, 2010) - The national commander of The American Legion today hailed the 5-4 decision of the Supreme court reversing a lower court decision that could have required the removal of a cross that has stood in the Mojave National Preserve for more than 75 years.
“I commend the court for its decision that finally restores common sense that will enable this symbol to stand proudly as intended - a tribute to honor American soldiers who died in World War I,” said National Commander Clarence E. Hill. “This is a landmark decision that not only preserves the Mojave Desert cross, but also helps protect all memorials to our fallen heroes.”
The American Legion joined as an amicus curiae (friend of the court) in action favoring preservation of the monument that resulted in the case being argued before the U.S. Supreme Court last year.
“The court reaffirmed the will of the people through Congress, which passed legislation to accommodate the cross,” Hill said. “The cross should remain because Congress transferred a small plot on which it stands to a private group and addressed constitutional concerns.”
Justice Anthony Kennedy wrote in the ruling, “The goal of avoiding governmental endorsement does not require eradication of all religious symbols in the public realm. Here one Latin cross in the desert evokes far more than religion. It evokes thousands of small crosses in foreign fields marking the graves of Americans who fell in battles, battles whose tragedies are compounded if the fallen are forgotten.”
However, the battle may not be entirely over. The Court remanded the case to the U.S. District Court to give it a chance to see if any other legal alternatives exist. However, the High Court reminded the District Court that: “Respect for a coordinate branch of Government forbids striking down an Act of Congress except upon a clear showing of unconstitutionality.”
The cross will remain covered pending the District Court’s review.
“The American Legion will continue to fight for the values and freedoms veterans gave their lives for,” Hill said.
With a membership of 2.5-million wartime veterans, The American Legion was founded in 1919 on the four pillars of a strong national security, veterans affairs, Americanism, and patriotic youth programs. Legionnaires work for the betterment of their communities through more than 14,000 posts across the nation.
A great American, John Wayne, passed away many years ago. One of his last public appearances was at a dinner. He was riddled with cancer and knew he was close to death. The purpose of the dinner was to benefit a land purchase for a Scout Reservation called John Wayne Outpost Camp. At this dinner, Wayne recited the Scout Law. Then he did something unusual, he said, the twelve points of the Scout Law are “nice words”. “Trouble is.” he continued. “we learn them so young we sometimes don’t get all the understanding that goes with them. I take care of that in my family. As each boy reaches Scout age, I make sure he learns the Scout Law. Then I break it down for him, with a few things I have picked up in more than half a century since I learned it.”
Wayne proceeded to explain the importance of the Scout Law, breaking it down for the guests at the dinner, much like he would have for his grandson.
Trustworthy
The badge of honesty. Having it lets you look any man in the eye. Lacking it, he won’t look back. Keep this one at the top of your list.
Loyal
The very word is life itself, for without loyalty we have no love of person or country.
Helpful
Part sharing, part caring. By helping each other, we help ourselves, not to mention mankind. Be always full of help - the dying man’s last words.
Friendly
Brotherhood is part of that word. You can take it in a lot of directions - and do - but make sure and start with brotherhood.
Courteous
Allow each person his human dignity, which means a lot more than saying, “yes ma’am” and “thank you sir”. It reflects an attitude that later in life you wish you had honored more … earlier in life. Save yourself that problem. Do it now.
Kind
This one word would stop wars and erase hatreds. But it’s like your bicycle, it’s just no good unless you get out and use it.
Obedient
Starts at home. Practice it in your family. Enlarge it in your friends. Share it with humanity.
Cheerful
Anyone can put on a happy face when the going is good. The secret is to wear it as a mask for your problems. It might surprise you how many others do the same thing.
Thrifty
Means a lot more than putting pennies away, and it is the opposite of cheap. Common sense covers it just about as well as anything.
Brave
You don’t have to fight to be brave. Millions of good, fine, decent folks show more bravery than heavyweight champs just by getting out of bed every morning, going out to do a good day’s work and living the best life they know how against the law of odds.
Clean
Soap and water helps a lot on the outside. But it is the inside that counts and don’t ever forget it.
Reverent
Believe in anything that you want to believe in, but keep God at the top of it. With Him, life can be a beautiful experience. Without Him, you are just biding time.
submitted by Colleen Washinger