Circa 1934: They were heroes, old men that survived the unspeakable horrors of trench warfare. Their faces carried memories that could not be put into words. Their hearts carried images that could not be forgotten. In sleep, their minds relived four terrifying years of pain, hunger and hand-to-hand combat. Now, they have gathered to decide how best to memorialize the heroes that did not return from the Great War. The men choose to erect a simple wooden cross in a remote corner of the vast 1.6 million acre Mojave desert, atop a rock that bears a resemblance to a Doughboy under certain lighting conditions. The memorial displays a plaque noting it as a place to reflect and heal from the tragedy of war.The eight foot cross stood a silent and solitary vigil for seventy five years until a former Park Service employee sued for its removal. With their undies in a bundle and froth at the mouth, the American Civil Liberties Union joined the fray and demanded ...demanded! removal of the venerated Mojave Desert War Memorial.
Angered and insulted by this challenge, a new generation of heroes banded together in defense of the memorial. Veterans of World War 2, Korea, Vietnam and Desert Storm formulated a land transfer alternative, where five acres of privately owned land elsewhere in the preserve would serve as ransom for one acre around the memorial. Congress approves and both parties heave a sigh of relief. Then, the haters catch wind of it.
Have you ever seen a hissy fit? What a sight to behold. I reckon the ACLU threw one liberally (no pun intended) punctuated with stomping, screaming and gnashing of teeth before descending on the 9th Circuit Federal Court of Appeals. Why? Compromise would avoid destruction of the memorial.
will be destroyed.
I bet the next target is Arlington National Cemetery, where thousands of pristine crosses mark the final resting place of American heroes. If a single cross instigated an attack of vapors, Arlington's 300,000 crosses must be akin to an atomic wedgie that threatens to rip the seams right out of the ACLU's meticulously starched tighty whities.
I would argue that 'civil liberties' should include those of military veterans and not just a select group of lobbyists hell bent on communism. If you agree, SPEAK UP!
Without your voice added to those of the veterans, every American memorial is in jeopardy. Memorials heal. Memorials comfort. Memorials are cherished, carefully woven threads within the American veteran's tapestry of life. You can make a difference. Write to your representatives, grab the Mojave Desert War Memorial widget and use it to pass the word. If the haters succeed, how will future generations know of American contributions and sacrifices for the greater good? History forgotten is history repeated. Speak up!
Resources:
First Amendment Center
Save Our Memorials
Don't Tear Me Down
worldNet Daily
List of Targeted Memorials - PDF
