CSM
04-13-2012, 06:40 AM
This was so short, I posted it in its entirety. It angers me that some atheist gets indignant over crosses so remote and hard to get to that most folks didn't even know they were there.
April 12, 2012 Crosses On Camp Pendleton
Special Report With Bret Baier (FNC), 6:00 PM
BRET BAIER: Our next story from California is about some pretty strong emotions: grief, patriotism, the embracing of faith and the freedom to live without faith. Throw in life and death and military honor and you have quite a situation. Here is correspondent Adam Housley
ADAM HOUSLEY: High atop a remote hill in the middle of California's Camp Pendleton Marine Corps Base sit two 13-foot crosses. Originally erected by Marines grieving over lives lost in the war on terror, this site originally established for reflection has become grounds for controversy.
KAREN MENDOZA [Marine Widow]: It’s not a religious spot at all. It’s a place for the Marines to grieve and to grow, to let go of their burdens of what they had in their soul, so they can go back down that hill and back into battle and put their own lives on the line.
HOUSLEY: Karen Mendoza’s husband Ray was one of seven Marines who originally planted a cross here, back in 2003. Of those original seven, three have since been killed in action, including Karen’s husband.
MENDOZA: It’s a symbol of sacrifice regardless of what you think, pray, like or don’t like.
HOUSLEY: But not everyone agrees and several atheist groups have filed complaints with the Marine Corps and threatened lawsuits arguing the crosses are a religious symbol and violate the separation of church and state.
JASON TORPY [Military Assn. Atheists and Free Thinkers]: This Christian cross needs to go to a private Christian installation. And we need to stick to things that honor everyone equally and maintain neutrality towards government.
HOUSLEY: Getting to the crosses is no easy task. Here you find symbols of valor, sorrow, and festivity. Rocks left by service members, widows, and children represent the burden and battle to make the 3,000-foot climb up this hill.
COLONEL NICHOLAS MARANO [U.S. Marine Corps]: It wasn’t intended to be a religious memorial. It was intended just to be able to provide a fitting and a dignified memorial to their fallen comrade.
HOUSLEY: For 10 years, the site has stood on these hills behind be without complaint. That changed last fall after a newspaper article detailed the location. Now, the groups opposed to the crosses say they’ll file a lawsuit if the commandant of the Marines doesn’t order the crosses removed. His decision could come any day.
At Camp Pendleton, California, Adam Housley, Fox News.
April 12, 2012 Crosses On Camp Pendleton
Special Report With Bret Baier (FNC), 6:00 PM
BRET BAIER: Our next story from California is about some pretty strong emotions: grief, patriotism, the embracing of faith and the freedom to live without faith. Throw in life and death and military honor and you have quite a situation. Here is correspondent Adam Housley
ADAM HOUSLEY: High atop a remote hill in the middle of California's Camp Pendleton Marine Corps Base sit two 13-foot crosses. Originally erected by Marines grieving over lives lost in the war on terror, this site originally established for reflection has become grounds for controversy.
KAREN MENDOZA [Marine Widow]: It’s not a religious spot at all. It’s a place for the Marines to grieve and to grow, to let go of their burdens of what they had in their soul, so they can go back down that hill and back into battle and put their own lives on the line.
HOUSLEY: Karen Mendoza’s husband Ray was one of seven Marines who originally planted a cross here, back in 2003. Of those original seven, three have since been killed in action, including Karen’s husband.
MENDOZA: It’s a symbol of sacrifice regardless of what you think, pray, like or don’t like.
HOUSLEY: But not everyone agrees and several atheist groups have filed complaints with the Marine Corps and threatened lawsuits arguing the crosses are a religious symbol and violate the separation of church and state.
JASON TORPY [Military Assn. Atheists and Free Thinkers]: This Christian cross needs to go to a private Christian installation. And we need to stick to things that honor everyone equally and maintain neutrality towards government.
HOUSLEY: Getting to the crosses is no easy task. Here you find symbols of valor, sorrow, and festivity. Rocks left by service members, widows, and children represent the burden and battle to make the 3,000-foot climb up this hill.
COLONEL NICHOLAS MARANO [U.S. Marine Corps]: It wasn’t intended to be a religious memorial. It was intended just to be able to provide a fitting and a dignified memorial to their fallen comrade.
HOUSLEY: For 10 years, the site has stood on these hills behind be without complaint. That changed last fall after a newspaper article detailed the location. Now, the groups opposed to the crosses say they’ll file a lawsuit if the commandant of the Marines doesn’t order the crosses removed. His decision could come any day.
At Camp Pendleton, California, Adam Housley, Fox News.