Pentagon Denies Flyover of Patriotic 'God and Country Rally' in Nampa Idaho Because of its Christian Content
Contact: Rev. Patrick J. Mahoney, Christian Defense Coalition, 540-538-4741, 202-547-1735; Brandi Swindell, Director, Generation Life, 208-867-1307; Patti Syme, Director, The God and Country Rally, 208-573-9300
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 e-mail from the Pentagon can be seen here:
http://www.earnedmedia.org/God_and_Country_flyover.pdf
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."
For more information or interviews call:
Rev. Patrick J. Mahoney 540.538.4741 202.547.1735
Brandi Swindell 208.867.1307
Patti Syme Director of "The God and Country Rally"
208.573.9300
Patti's husband Scott is a Colonel in the United States Army currently serving in Iraq.
It appears that the good reverend Mahoney isn't quite telling the whole story about his organization. In the article, he claims that his event doesn't endorse religion, and is designed to honor the heros in the military. But you you look at his website, and read the little "about" section, it's all about spreading the word of Jesus, and it doesn't have one single word about the military. Here's the link.
http://godandcountryfestival.com/the-mission-of-the-god-and-country-festival.html
Our nation has a separation of church and state. Those of you who claim to be such ardent supporters of the constitution should know that the government can't give an endorsement of any particular religion. This has nothing to do with the military and everything to do with honoring and abiding by the constitution and ideas of our founders.
Seperation of Church and State...really...I didn't see that in the constitution.
Quote from: BillyakaVarmit on July 10, 2009, 12:21:35 PM
Seperation of Church and State...really...I didn't see that in the constitution.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Separation_of_church_and_state_in_the_United_States
Billy, it looks like you're right again. There's no
mention of separation of church and state in the
constitution that I can see.
Anmar, if this is truely about abiding by the constitution, I would like to point out that obama has spoken in more mosques than churches, and has sang islams praises and flet it necessary to point out that muslims have contributed so much to the world. His doing all this would appear to be indirect violation of the constitution, by your way of thinking. Yet, you haven't spoken out against that? Why?
Quote from: BillyakaVarmit on July 10, 2009, 12:34:56 PM
Anmar, if this is truely about abiding by the constitution, I would like to point out that obama has spoken in more mosques than churches, and has sang islams praises and flet it necessary to point out that muslims have contributed so much to the world. His doing all this would appear to be indirect violation of the constitution, by your way of thinking. Yet, you haven't spoken out against that? Why?
What mosque has Obama spoke in? maybe you can pull one out, i don't know, but more mosques than churches? give me a break.
Quote from: Anmar on July 10, 2009, 10:57:10 AM
It appears that the good reverend Mahoney isn't quite telling the whole story about his organization. In the article, he claims that his event doesn't endorse religion, and is designed to honor the heros in the military. But you you look at his website, and read the little "about" section, it's all about spreading the word of Jesus, and it doesn't have one single word about the military. Here's the link.
http://godandcountryfestival.com/the-mission-of-the-god-and-country-festival.html
Our nation has a separation of church and state. Those of you who claim to be such ardent supporters of the constitution should know that the government can't give an endorsement of any particular religion. This has nothing to do with the military and everything to do with honoring and abiding by the constitution and ideas of our founders.
Anmar... ponder this: Why in the past 42 years has the Pentagon allowed the flyovers to happen but not this time... and don't quote that letter from DOD, as what we used to call those type of letters, Beetle Baily Memo's... or BB&M's?
My old outfit, the 366th TAC Wing at MT. Home has done some of these flyovers in the past so this gives me the right to question this DOD decision.
Another thing for you to ponder: Why in the hell do you think you have any say in this?
Quote from: Warph on July 10, 2009, 02:00:27 PM
Quote from: Anmar on July 10, 2009, 10:57:10 AM
It appears that the good reverend Mahoney isn't quite telling the whole story about his organization. In the article, he claims that his event doesn't endorse religion, and is designed to honor the heros in the military. But you you look at his website, and read the little "about" section, it's all about spreading the word of Jesus, and it doesn't have one single word about the military. Here's the link.
http://godandcountryfestival.com/the-mission-of-the-god-and-country-festival.html
Our nation has a separation of church and state. Those of you who claim to be such ardent supporters of the constitution should know that the government can't give an endorsement of any particular religion. This has nothing to do with the military and everything to do with honoring and abiding by the constitution and ideas of our founders.
Anmar... ponder this: Why in the past 42 years has the Pentagon allowed the flyovers to happen but not this time... and don't quote that letter from DOD, as what we used to call those type of letters, Beetle Baily Memo's... or BB&M's?
My old outfit, the 366th TAC Wing at MT. Home has done some of these flyovers in the past so this gives me the right to question this DOD decision.
Another thing for you to ponder: Why in the hell do you think you have any say in this?
He has a say because he has the right of free speech. If you don't like it, tough &&&&. I don't like what you say almost 100% of the time, but I can't tell you you don't have say in something.
Oh, I can name more than one...
http://www.rferl.org/Content/Obama_Wraps_Up_Turkey_Trip_With_Mosque_Visit_Student_Meeting_/1603835.html
http://www.alarabiya.net/articles/2009/06/02/74585.html
http://www.reuters.com/news/video?videoId=101685
Oh, and did I mention that during the campagining that mosques were used to register obama voters?
[url][http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2008/10/obama-electione.html/url]
Billy, I just read all three of the articles that you posted. None stated that the president had spoken at a mosque. All three talked about his touring those mosques. I believe that Laura Bush toured a mosque during her middle east visit in 2008. And churches are allowed to participate in the registration of voters. That was one of the issues that Martin Luther King participated in during the freedom marches of the 1960s.
Quote from: Warph on July 10, 2009, 02:00:27 PM
Quote from: Anmar on July 10, 2009, 10:57:10 AM
It appears that the good reverend Mahoney isn't quite telling the whole story about his organization. In the article, he claims that his event doesn't endorse religion, and is designed to honor the heros in the military. But you you look at his website, and read the little "about" section, it's all about spreading the word of Jesus, and it doesn't have one single word about the military. Here's the link.
http://godandcountryfestival.com/the-mission-of-the-god-and-country-festival.html
Our nation has a separation of church and state. Those of you who claim to be such ardent supporters of the constitution should know that the government can't give an endorsement of any particular religion. This has nothing to do with the military and everything to do with honoring and abiding by the constitution and ideas of our founders.
Anmar... ponder this: Why in the past 42 years has the Pentagon allowed the flyovers to happen but not this time... and don't quote that letter from DOD, as what we used to call those type of letters, Beetle Baily Memo's... or BB&M's?
My old outfit, the 366th TAC Wing at MT. Home has done some of these flyovers in the past so this gives me the right to question this DOD decision.
Another thing for you to ponder: Why in the hell do you think you have any say in this?
Listen here, How much of a hypocrit are you to sit there and claim to spout on about constitutional ideas, and the freedom to post your thoughts on these forums, then have the nerve to try and tell anyone that they have no say. Ponder your own sense of self-righteousness.
As with regards to the flyovers, the website doesn't say how many years they have been occuring, it just says "many years." If any practice is not in accordance with this countries ideals, such as not promoting a particular religion, it doesn't matter if it's been in practice for 100 years, it's gonna end.
Maybe there's not enough money to do flyovers for "everything" that people want flyovers for AFTER this administration used all that money scaring the sh*t out of NYC to take "pictures" of the low flying plane...and AFTER The Obamas went on their "little" $24,000+ DATE to New York City...and AFTER the wife and kids get to go on a sight seeing trip of the world while daddy's "working"...
And yes, I'm gonna change the subject, but what exactly is this little trip to Africa all about? Needed to take the youngins to their homeland and wanted to do it on the taxpayer's dime or what?
Quote from: jerry wagner on July 10, 2009, 02:35:03 PM
He has a say because he has the right of free speech. If you don't like it, tough &&&&. I don't like what you say almost 100% of the time, but I can't tell you you don't have say in something.
Wow.... good zinger, jerry. Since you've been practicing your zings on poor redcliff and billy, you seem to be getting better at this...and I luv those big words you're throwing out there... tough &&&&, free speech, don't like.... really good stuff. I got to hand it to you, you really put me in my place.
Say, you wouldn't be from Kalamazoo would you, jerry?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fFv_PoZ2iP0
Quote from: Anmar on July 10, 2009, 10:57:10 AM
Listen here, How much of a hypocrit are you to sit there and claim to spout on about constitutional ideas, and the freedom to post your thoughts on these forums, then have the nerve to try and tell anyone that they have no say. Ponder your own sense of self-righteousness.
As with regards to the flyovers, the website doesn't say how many years they have been occuring, it just says "many years." If any practice is not in accordance with this countries ideals, such as not promoting a particular religion, it doesn't matter if it's been in practice for 100 years, it's gonna end.
Anmar, your right for once. You should be able to say anything you want, whether you're right or wrong. It must have been the 83 I shot yesterday morning that set me off. Sorry. I hate it when they over-water the greens.
Now, let me get serious for a few minutes.... The Department of Defense policy on community relations activities has not recently changed. Longstanding policy on flyovers, and other community relations support, is found in DoD Directive 5410.18, "Public Affairs Community Relations Policy," dated Nov. 20, 2001. http://www.dtic.mil/whs/directives/corres/pdf/541018p.pdf
As with all DoD policy, the military services develop instructions and orders to guide their service-unique community relations efforts. The individual services determine their ability to participate in requested aerial support activities (as well as other types of community relations activities) by reviewing and evaluating each request based on its own merits and circumstances. During those reviews, service personnel authorized to make such decisions determine if the request complies with policy, if personnel and materiel resources are available to support the request, if mission requirements are impacted and if the activity is in the best interest of the service.
I read through DOD 5410.18 and the only thing I saw regarding religious community events was in 4.2.3.5 which says: "Community relations support to events sponsored by organizations with a narrow membership base or interest, such as commercial enterprises, religious or sectarian organizations, ideological organizations, and political organizations and campaigns, may occasionally be considered to be in the common public interest when it is clear that the support primarily benefits the community at large, rather than the sponsoring organization."
And 4.2.9 which says: "Community relations activities shall not support, or appear to support, any event that provides a selective benefit to any individual, group, or organization, including any religious or sectarian organization, ideological movement, political campaign or organization, or commercial enterprise, to include a shopping mall or motion picture promotion."
Alright.... am I missing something? This was not a group with a narrow membership base nor do I see how the event primarily benefits the sponsoring organization or provides a selective benefit to a religious organization. Regardless, for the past 42 years, and even last 7 years under the current policy, this event was seen to be in the common public interest (unless the DOD was wrong these past 7 years) and not providing a selective benefit to a religious organization. I don't believe the event has changed in nature, purpose, intent, or name by what has been explained to me by some of my TAC buddies at Mt. Home. So while official DOD policy may not have changed, it is obvious that something has changed. If the nature of the event and official DOD policy has not changed, is it not reasonable to assume that there must have been an unofficial policy change (possibly coming from the current Obama administration) that would lead to the denial of the flyover? I would like to know how these off-the-wall decisions are made. Is it an individual or a white house get-together in the oval office? Perhaps TSgt Utley, who wrote the email (http://www.earnedmedia.org/God_and_Country_flyover.pdf) reply to the flyover request, needs more training in public relations? I don't know. If there were other reasons for denying the flyover, this TSgt Utley obviously messed up by adding the implied claim that the flyover was denied because of the event's religious nature. If budget concerns did not allow for the flyover (which are almost always conducted in conjunction with a regular training mission) then it should have been stated simply and solely as such. I think the best reply would have shown how this decision was reached and on what specific policies and directives it was based, thus eliminating any public fear of discrimination against Christianity. My opinion, of course. From a recruiting standpoint alone, I don't know why the military (after 42 years of flyovers) would want to miss out on a great opportunity to inspire the young men and women in attendance to one day serve their country, thus fulfilling the military's real objective for flyovers as community events, recruitment. As a kid, seeing jets fly over head fast, low, and loud certainly contributed to my desire to serve my country in the Air Force. Checkout the "Home" page, not the "About" page and look at the pictures: http://godandcountryfestival.com/
Now if you don't mind, I think I'll.... go ponder abit.
Quote from: Warph on July 11, 2009, 10:54:15 AM
Quote from: jerry wagner on July 10, 2009, 02:35:03 PM
He has a say because he has the right of free speech. If you don't like it, tough &&&&. I don't like what you say almost 100% of the time, but I can't tell you you don't have say in something.
Wow.... good zinger, jerry. Since you've been practicing your zings on poor redcliff and billy, you seem to be getting better at this...and I luv those big words you're throwing out there... tough &&&&, free speech, don't like.... really good stuff. I got to hand it to you, you really put me in my place.
Say, you wouldn't be from Kalamazoo would you, jerry?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fFv_PoZ2iP0
I had decided to articulate my point in a language you could understand.
And "articulate" you did. I appreciate that.... but jerry, you didn't say one way or the other if you were from Kalamazoo?