Bibles Removed From ‘Missing Man’ Tables

Just when you think you’ve heard it all, you read of something lower than whale crap!  I’m referring to the Military Religious Freedom Foundation (MRFF) headed up by the same Mikey Weinstein who previously had the Bible removed from a display at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base.  “This is not persecution or victimization of Christianity,” Weinstein told the Air Force Times.  “This is simply an example where the Air Force should have a policy that makes it absolutely clear that nobody’s religious affiliation is on (exclusive) display.”  A base spokesperson confirmed to the newspaper that the Bible had been stripped from the display.

With that ‘victory’ MRFF has waged a campaign to have Bibles removed from “Missing Man” displays located on federal property.  They claim the inclusion of the Bible is a violation of federal law.  To date, 3-VA medical clinics and 1-Air Force base have complied with the MRFF’s demands to cleanse the displays of the Bible.

According to Todd Starnes of FoxNews, several conservative organizations are preparing to fight back against the MRFF, including: Family Research Council, American Family Association, First Liberty Institute, Chaplain Alliance for Religious Liberty, Center for Military Readiness, Freedom Alliance, Liberty Counsel, Alliance Defending Freedom, Freedom X, Judicial Watch, LION Associates, Military-Veterans Advocacy, Stand Up America US and the International Conference of Evangelical Chaplain Endorsers.  Representative of these organizations wrote (in part) to Robert McDonald, Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs: “The removal of the Bible not only violates the integrity of these displays, but insults those returned POWs who gained daily strength from their faith in the prisons of our enemies,” they wrote.  “When a governmental agency such as the VA removes any part of the display, it is a grave insult to the nation’s veterans who often gather together to honor those who have not returned, while also interfering with the message being expressed.”

“There is definitely an all-out assault on the Christian faith within our military today,” said Lt. Gen. (Ret.) William Boykin, Executive Vice President of the Family Research Council … and one of the signers.  Boykin accused the VA of having a “knee-jerk” reaction to MRFF.  “It’s a sad situation that a guy would actually try to destroy the traditions of our military and the basic values of our country,” he told Starnes.

The Missing Man Table was established during the Vietnam era.  It was a solemn reminder of those who were Prisoners of War (POWs) or Missing in Action (MIAs).  The tables are typically displayed on military bases and VA clinics – and they are steeped in tradition.  There are empty chairs for each of the five services, a red rose, an inverted glass, a yellow ribbon, salt sprinkled on a plate, a lemon slice, a candle – and a Bible.  “The Bible represents the strength gained through faith to sustain us and those lost from our country, founded as one nation under God,” reads the official ceremony script. 

One can only hope and pray that Sec. McDonald follows the wise counsel of conservative leaders like Lt. Gen. Boykin and the words of people like Ann Mills-Griffiths, the Chairman of the Board for the National League of POW/MIA Families.  [Her brother, Commander James B. Mills, disappeared somewhere over North Vietnam on Sept. 21, 1966.  The 26-year-old naval aviator remains classified as missing in action.]  “The Bible kept many of our POWs alive and sustained their families through decades of uncertainty,” she told Starnes.  “The Bible has always been a part of the tradition.  Until now – no one has ever suggested the Bible should be removed from the table.”

On the POW/MIA flag it states: “You Are Not Forgotten.”  Let us not forget shameful people (Weinstein) and organizations (MRFF) who have declared war on such revered military traditions. 

Rev. Dr. Kenneth L. Beale, Jr.

Chaplain (Colonel-Ret), U.S. Army

Pastor, Ft. Snelling Memorial Chapel