No High-Flying Evangelism: Air Force And Army Back Away From Christian Event
On the heels of an Americans United complaint, the U.S. Air Force and Army are distancing themselves from an evangelical Christian event to be held this Memorial Day weekend.
Promotional material about the three-day “Salute to the Troops” celebration strongly implied that it was co-sponsored by the U.S. Air Force and Army alongside several evangelical groups: Task Force Patriot USA (TFP), Lifeway Christian Stores and Holman Bible Outreach International.
Due to intervention by Americans United, the show will go on this weekend in Stone Mountain, Ga., but without the military’s stamp of approval, reports The Washington Post reports today.
Americans United became concerned with the armed forces’ involvement when we learned that the primary group sponsoring the event, Task Force Patriot USA, describes its mission as “sharing the fullness of life in Jesus Christ with all U.S. military, military veterans and families.” The group’s Web site says, “Christ is our Commander-in-Chief,” and its logo is a shield with the American and Christian flags bracketing a large Christian cross.
AU grew more concerned after seeing “Salute to the Troops” plugged as an official U.S. Air Force 60th anniversary celebration in TFP promotional materials and a military newspaper.
Promotional materials promised hourly flyovers by Air Force B-2 Bombers and parachuting demonstrations by the Army’s Silver Wings Parachute Jump Team mixed in with Bible distributions, worship services, personal religious “testimony” by a uniformed B-2 pilot and revival-type sermons by a slew of ministers.
Americans United sent letters earlier this week informing the Secretary of the Air Force and Acting Secretary of the Army that the military’s co-sponsorship and planned participation in this evangelistic event violates the separation of church and state.
“This marriage of religion and government is precisely what the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment to United States Constitution was designed to forbid,” the letter said. Americans United respectfully requested that the Air Force and Army “take steps to ensure that the military’s sponsorship and endorsement of the event is retracted and rectified.”
To their credit, both branches acted promptly. In a statement, officials said the Air Force was never an official co-sponsor of the event. Other steps were taken to put some distance between the Air Force and the event.
“Upon learning of the schedule of events sponsored by Task Force Patriot, Air Force officials began taking steps to avoid the appearance of any endorsement or preferential treatment of any religious faith or worship service,” reads the statement. “The Air Force activities at Stone Mountain Park will take place apart from those of Task Force Patriot, and flyovers by Air Force aircraft will not be scheduled to occur during religious services. Any Air Force personnel who may participate in religious activities at Stone Mountain Park will do so in their individual capacities, not representing the Air Force. The aircraft scheduled to fly over the park are part of Memorial Day 2007 recognition around the country, when Air Force aircraft will perform 107 flyovers (of 284 total requests), in 20 states. We have asked Stone Mountain Park to clarify the nature of the Air Force association with the Memorial Day activities and they have kindly agreed to do so.”
Of the B-2 pilot, the Air Force said he can participate in the private event as he pleases, but he has been instructed not to appear in uniform or on behalf of the Air Force.
The Post subsequently reported that the Army issued a statement that said, “The Silver Wing Team is not participating in this event and we are unaware of any other Army involvement.”
It’s difficult to tell what really went on here and how deeply the armed forces were enmeshed in this evangelistic event. Nevertheless, we at Americans United are pleased that the Air Force and the Army pulled back.
It is fitting and proper to remember our fallen war veterans this weekend. There are many ways to meet that goal that don’t run afoul of the very Constitution so many brave men and women have given their lives to protect.