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VA Veterans Cemetery Bans the Words "God," "Jesus" -- Offensive, no Longer Allowed

This is outrageous. The Houston National Cemetery has told veterans and volunteers that they can no longer use the words "God," "God bless," or "Jesus" at any and all funerals or in condolence cards. They're "offensive."

Another craven example of the left's war on America. We are not godless.

Are "Jesus" and "G-d" being singled out here? When I called the Houston National Cemetery to inquire, I was told that Arlene Ocasio was off this week (how convenient). I further inquired whether this prohibition includes Allah and was tersely told that "the matter was in litigation" and no comment would be forthcoming (how convenient). I'd like to see them try this with Moe, but I suspect the number of Muslim soldiers in this veterans cemetery is ..... minimal.

In any case, Ocasio should be fired. Immediately. Out. of. control.

VA Cemetery to Veterans: The Word "God," "Jesus" are Offensive, no ... Posted by Aurelius over at Pundit Press

The Houston National Cemetery has told veterans and volunteers alike that they can no longer use the word "God,""God bless," or "Jesus" at any and all funerals or condolence cards. The word has been deemed 'offensive.'

That is according to local volunteer and veterans groups that work at the cemetery. They are now suing the Cemetery in federal court so that they can use the word God.

To cite one specific example given in the suit, the director of the cemetery, Arleen Ocasio commanded volunteers never to use "God bless you" and "God bless" ever again at the cemetery.

Cheryl Whitfield, founder of Houston National Memorial Ladies, could not simply stand by. "I could've kept my mouth shut and let things happen, but when it comes to standing up for your belief in God and giving comfort to the families, I don't want to regret not saying anything," she said. "We all had to stand up for what we believe in."

Specifically, the suit brought against the cemetery and the Department of Veterans Affairs states that there has been "a widespread and consistent practice of discriminating against private religious speech."

The suit goes on to describe Ms. Ocasio's running of the cemetery:

"The doors remain locked during Houston National Cemetery operating hours, the cross and the Bible have been removed, and the Chapel bells, which tolled at least twice a day, are now inoperative. Director Ocasio only unlocks the chapel doors when meetings or training sessions are held at the building. Furthermore, it is no longer called a 'chapel' but a 'meeting facility.' "

Another man allegedly discriminated against in the suit was Vietnam veteran Nobleton Jones. After reciting the words, "We ask that God grant you and your family grace, mercy and peace" at a burial ceremony, a phrase that he has used for decades, he was told to stop.

"That makes me feel smaller, even after I spent my time in the military, fighting so that people should be able to say that," he said in response. "I did all this for my country and you are going to tell me what I can and can't say?"

http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2011/06/va-veterans...

Grassroots Call To ACTION!

Thanks for bringing this to our attention Randy! Now lets act on it! From Darla Dawald, National Director

CALL AND COMPLAIN!

US Houston Natl Cemetery
10410 Veterans Memorial Dr, Houston, TX 77038
(281) 447-8686

Then Call Your Members of Congress:
http://www.patriotactionnetwork.com/notes/Elected_Officials_Contact...

This is Unacceptable!

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Comment by Anita D. Phillips on July 6, 2011 at 5:00pm: To Muslim Mare Cad Titanic, Why don't you go back to your Muslim world where women are treated like dogs and little girls are raped at before puberty. Y our Allah should have planned it better for the life of me I do not see how a woman could become a Muslim or is it your are forced into it??? I see all of the riots you people have in your country and their are no women stating their opinion ??? You come to this country and try and make it a good old Muslim country. w hat do you have to gain. You only have the right to bear little suicide bombers and give your daughters away. If Allah made your world so perfect WHY DON'T YOU GO BACK TO IT!!!!!! AND LEAVE OUR COUNTRY ALONE!! Anita

Comment by Anita D. Phillips on July 6, 2011 at 5:00pm: To Muslim Mare Cad Titanic, Why don't you go back to your Muslim world where women are treated like dogs and little girls are raped at before puberty. Y our Allah should have planned it better for the life of me I do not see how a woman could become a Muslim or is it your are forced into it??? I see all of the riots you people have in your country and their are no women stating their opinion ??? You come to this country and try and make it a good old Muslim country. w hat do you have to gain. You only have the right to bear little suicide bombers and give your daughters away. If Allah made your world so perfect WHY DON'T YOU GO BACK TO IT!!!!!! AND LEAVE OUR COUNTRY ALONE!! Anita

Comment by Anita D. Phillips on July 6, 2011 at 4:43pm: America stand up for your veterans!!! My Dad was a world war 2 vet and he said their is no such thing as an athiest on the battle field!! People need God the most in times of strife so people stand up for our Christian beliefs and tell the B******* to go pound sand !! All of the soldiers that have died for our right to express our feelings and beliefs is all going down the tubes.. The soldiers deserve freedom from being harrassed when they are at a funeral after all they gave more than any one and deserve Gods Blessing and amemorial cross on their grave. What the Hell is this county coming too!!!! People get some balls and speak before it is too late. If these b******* keep pushing it is going to come down to a good old fashion revolution. You can only push people so far and then the guns are coming out!!!!!!!! Everyone should revolt and Say GOD BLESS AMERICA AND GOD BLESS EVERY BLADE OF GRASS AND GOD BLESS EVERY THING WALKING. I would drowned them in God Blesses!! What are they going to do about it??? This is a country with free speach so people load up on God Blesses. Any business that does not like it boycot!! Pick up your dead and go some place else. I would be so pissed I would have all of my relatives dug up and moved.If it is a Military burial they have no right to ban crosses and Christian symbols. Sue their ASSES. take them to court.; Anita

Comment by Mick Vogel on July 4, 2011 at 8:14pm: Here is something that should be done: If someone who is burying their dead in that cemetery and mentions one of the "forbidden" words, and an employee tells them to stop, he/she should immediately be restrained by three or more people there, the cops called, and a criminal complaint made out that the employee has violated his/her oath of office and violated a Constitutional mandate. He/she should then be prosecuted for criminal activity, and held personally responsible, as he/she is not acting in any way, shape or form in his/her office. I believe when two or three of the employees are jailed for this criminal activity, the policy of that cemetery will be changed.

Comment by Richard G. Nelson on July 4, 2011 at 6:23pm: As a disabled vet of the 'nam, I find this not only offensive, but a politalily correct OBAMATION. For my part, I feel that this director should be treated to a "BDU PARTY". In case you are not familiar with the term, it means that veterans arrange a little "SLAP, BUT NO TICKLE" for this wimp. A little persuading might open the eyes of these Obomites. I spit upon his actions.

Comment by Giancarlo Angelini on July 3, 2011 at 7:20am: One shocking occurence after another, how sad, how unacceptable! :-(

Comment by Prof. Charles Xavier on July 2, 2011 at 10:19am: Very timely, Randy. I referred to this very thing in my blog here, and on Cornerstone of the Nation. My restraint was (is) sorely tried by this madness rapidly increasing in our country.

http://www.patriotactionnetwork.com/group/thecornerstoneofthenation...

Comment by Randy on July 1, 2011 at 8:03pm: It's "false!?"

Again, they are in the midst of a lawsuit for just such actions!

They are either misinformed or are liars...

Our friends at Liberty Institute have amended an earlier lawsuit against the VA that states the new violations against religious liberty include:

• VA Forbids Mention of God at Funerals for Veterans and Requires Families to Submit Prayer for Approval to the Government
• VA instructs the VFW and a Private Funeral Home that they may not present the option of prayer to families
• VA Tells Volunteers to Remove "God Bless" from Condolence Cards to Grieving Families
• VA Closes Cemetery Chapel; Uses it for Storage

You can read Liberty Institute's detailed report of Director Ocasio's offenses here.
http://www.patriotactionnetwork.com/profiles/blogs/va-veterans-ceme...

Comment by Charlotte Smith on July 1, 2011 at 5:01pm: Just to clarify, I believe the reports from this network, AFA and Fox News. I think there is either 1) a major passing of the buck and or 2) a major mismanagement of the National Cemeteries.

Comment by Charlotte Smith on July 1, 2011 at 4:53pm: Yesterday when the Houston Cemetery was contacted they directed us to call the Director of National Cemeteries in Colorado, John Rieker(303-914-5700). We talked to his assistant, Sara Alton. She was unaware of any of the details as reported on AFR, Fox News, and the Action Alert. She said there are no restrictions of any kind and that the chapel in the Houston cemetery is locked due to construction. Then today we spoke with Judy, Staff Assistant to the Director of National Cemeteries Agency she also stated that this was being reported in Houston was false.

Has there been any statement by the Director of National Cemeteries?