Watchdogs play an invaluable role in tempering powerful organizations from zealously exerting their influence and force to set the agenda and have their way. Theres a fierce battle in public affairs regarding how much religion can and should be allowed, what is offensive and what religious things have become acceptable through American tradition.
Theres a flap this week over the flag at funerals at national cemeteries. I didnt know it, but volunteers for the Memorial Honor Detail, while folding the U.S. flag at gravesides, recite the significance of each of the 13 folds they make. Obviously, what each fold means is only what someone originally thought up, wrote down and pitched to others, who complimented that person for the moving and thoughtful idea. Through regular use, it becomes timeworn tradition. To stop doing it means controversy.
A week ago, the National Cemetery Administration decided to ban the words being recited at all 125 cemeteries under its control. That came about because of a complaint about the 11th fold: In the eyes of a Hebrew citizen, represents the lower portion of the seal of King David and King Solomon, in their eyes, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. According to news reports, the complaint was lodged by someone who witnessed the ceremony at Riverside National Cemetery in
California. Yet the administrations spokesman would not give more specifics, saying details were an internal working document not meant for public distribution.
It especially has American veterans livid. As a result, secular fanatics have been attacked. The Riverside Press-Enterprise quoted the American Legion of Californias parliamentarian advising those working on memorial honor details to ignore the edict even it if it means being kicked out of cemeteries.
On Thursday, Vice President Dick Cheney said the flag-folding recitation will be allowed to go on as it has.
Scottsdale-based Alliance Defense Fund offered a letter to the Department of Veterans Affairs. This matter raises the important issue of whether it is constitutionally permissible for government to solemnize a funeral by referring to religious beliefs, said the letter to William Tuerk, undersecretary for memorial affairs, by the ADF chief counsel Benjamin Bull. He advised the government may solemnize important events by referencing religious beliefs without violating the Establishment Clause and that theres legal precedent to it. He pointed out such things as military chaplains and he cited a case, Lynch vs. Donelly, with the ruling, Our history is replete with official references to the value and invocation of divine guidance in deliberations and pronouncements of the Founding Fathers and contemporary leaders.
Bull suggests the flag recitation is not to advance religion or proselytize, but to accommodate veterans and other citizens whose religious beliefs provide meaning, hope and comfort during the difficult time of a loved ones death.
The 11th fold is only a small part of a recitation filled with religious references: Fold 2): symbol of our belief in the eternal life; fold 4: represents our weaker nature, for as American citizens trusting in God, it is to him we turn in times of peace as well as in times of war for his divine guidelines; fold 8: a tribute to the one who entered into the valley of the shadow of death .; fold 12: in the eyes of a Christian citizen, represents an emblem of eternity and glorifies, in their eyes, God the Father, the Son and Holy Ghost; and fold 13: when he flag is completely folded, the stars are uppermost, reminding us of our national motto, In God We Trust.
Because so little is known about the complaint, it is difficult to know why only the 11th fold was offensive and not others.
Was it raised because of the specific Jewish (Hebrew) reference? When it comes to picking fights over governments possible endorsement of religion, this doesnt seem like a particularly good example. Funerals are religious, and flag ceremonies for veterans, are part of that. Survivors look for and expect talk of God. People at funerals, for the most part, make up a private assemblage, an event that was planned through the consent of the survivors. Its not like a public classroom of a captive audience of children.
Things like this provide easy ammunition to those sure of a secular agenda to erase references to God wherever they find him.
