Thursday, November 01, 2007

Bring on the ACLU

Let's all spit on the alter of political correctness. How dare some piss-ant bureaucrat in Washington even think he could interfere with the solemn ceremony surrounding the memorial of our fallen veterans?
Veterans Affairs has a policy that allows for a full military funeral, which includes the playing of taps and the folding of the flag in respectful silence. Upon request, family can have honor guard read special recitations, which include religious symbolism. When a complain was filed to the White House after one of those recitations was read incorrectly, Steve L. Muro, the director of the National Cemetery Administration's field program office, ordered the cemetery directors to stop the readings.
He wrote in a memo obtained by FOXNews.com, "The National Cemetery Administration must not give meaning, or appear to give meaning to the folds of the flag by endorsing or distributing any handouts on 'The Meaning of Each Fold of an Honor Guard Funeral Flag."
A complaint about the recitation for the 11th fold — "in the eyes of a Hebrew citizen, represents the lower portion of the seal of King David and King Solomon, and glorifies, in their eyes, the God of Abraham, Issac and Jacob" — garnered a complaint and prompted the ban.
“Honoring the burial wishes of veterans is one of the highest commitments for the men and women of VA,” said William F. Tuerk, the VA’s Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs, in a statement released late Tuesday. “A family may request the recitation of words to accompany the meaningful presentation of the American flag as we honor the dedication and sacrifice of their loved ones.”
The bottom line is what ever the family wants said or not said is what matters here, not the opinion of one or two self important trouble makers.

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