Gunner Gatlin, SASS 10274L Posted June 29, 2011 Share Posted June 29, 2011 Don;t even know where to start - just appalled at this: :angry: http://www.veteransresources.org/2011/06/veterans-affairs-bans-mention-of-god-at-funerals-for-vets/ A Vet cannot even have his/her God mentioned at their own funeral. GG ~ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocWard Posted June 29, 2011 Share Posted June 29, 2011 Unlike the Pledge of Allegiance thread, I am having a difficult time coming up with a cogent response that doesn't contain multiple expletives. My first thought was "Whiskey Tango Foxtrot???" Arleen Ocasio needs to remove her head from her third point of contact and then either resign or be fired. Whether she is or not, she should be required to spend some time with troops in the field in Afghanistan. Soldiers are allowed to pray, to congregate for prayer and services with a Chaplain, to have our religious affiliation on our ID tags, yet she believes she has some authority to wipe reference to God from services for Veterans? How insane with power and idiocy can one person get? While I don't accept tha maxim that "there are no atheists in foxholes," I absolutely believe that every soldier has to be able to have God as he or she understands him with him. That doesn't change after combat. It remains every bit as vital for the Veteran who has served as for the soldier to maintain that relationship. Simply put, families invoking the name of God is NOT the same as Congress establishing a religion. If Ms. Ocasio can't understand the difference, she might consider a change of careers. I'm just not sure what she would be suited for. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sergeant Smokepole #29248L Posted June 29, 2011 Share Posted June 29, 2011 The VA has been making some really stupid PC calls over the last 40 years.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Original Lumpy Gritz Posted June 29, 2011 Share Posted June 29, 2011 About as stupid as could ever be possible Hope the SOB's that came up with that piece of crap idea get FLOODED with phone calls and letters. To the IDIOTS that came up with that brain-fart idea...ROT IN HELL! :angry: BTW, I have 3 sons who are multi-tour combat vets. LG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gunner Gatlin, SASS 10274L Posted June 29, 2011 Author Share Posted June 29, 2011 About as stupid as could ever be possible Hope the SOB's that came up with that piece of crap idea get FLOODED with phone calls and letters. To the IDIOTS that came up with that brain-fart idea...ROT IN HELL! :angry: BTW, I have 3 sons who are multi-tour combat vets. LG A civilian salute and highest regards for them ~ may God bless them. GG ~ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shooting Bull Posted June 29, 2011 Share Posted June 29, 2011 BTW, I have 3 sons who are multi-tour combat vets. LG Give them our heartfelt thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S. Quentin Quale, Esq. SASS 9953 Posted June 29, 2011 Share Posted June 29, 2011 If the family of deceased Jewish or Muslim or other non-Christian religion adhearant vet. does not want Jesus mentioned in funeral prayers then that wish should be honored. It IS their funeral. If the family of a an Atheist vet. (and they do exist) doesn't want any religious mention at all then that wish shouild be honored for the same reason. But I was baptized and raised as a Catholic. I'd would have no problem with a full funeral Mass and all the trimmings. If that were the wish my family then that wish should also be honored. The government may not dictate my faith and any restrictions on its practice put a heavy burden on the Government to prove that they are either unlawful or constitute a threat to public health, safety, and welfare. SQQ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocWard Posted June 29, 2011 Share Posted June 29, 2011 If the family of deceased Jewish or Muslim or other non-Christian religion adhearant vet. does not want Jesus mentioned in funeral prayers then that wish should be honored. It IS their funeral. If the family of a an Atheist vet. (and they do exist) doesn't want any religious mention at all then that wish shouild be honored for the same reason. But I was baptized and raised as a Catholic. I'd would have no problem with a full funeral Mass and all the trimmings. If that were the wish my family then that wish should also be honored. The government may not dictate my faith and any restrictions on its practice put a heavy burden on the Government to prove that they are either unlawful or constitute a threat to public health, safety, and welfare. SQQ While I agree with you, that is not how I am reading the article: VA Forbids Mention of God at Funerals for Veterans and Requires Families to Submit Prayer for Approval to the Government: For 30 years, the VFW District 4 burial team, at the request of the family of the deceased, has honored veterans by performing the VFW burial ritual during private burial services at the Houston National Cemetery. For 20 years, The American Legion Post 586 has honored our veterans by performing its burial ritual for fallen veterans. On at least four separate occasions, government officials told the burial teams that prayer and religious speech could no longer be included in the burial ritual unless the family submits a specific prayer or message in writing to Director Ocasio for her approval. Government official Jose Henriquez also told the VFW Honor Guard Commander, Junior Vice Commander and Chaplain that the word “God” is forbidden. VA instructs the VFW and a Private Funeral Home that they may not present the option of prayer to families: American Heritage Funeral Home, which sits next to the Houston National Cemetery and specializes in veterans’ funerals, was instructed by government officials that the funeral home may not inform the families that they have the option of requesting prayer in the VFW burial ritual. VA Tells Volunteers to Remove “God Bless” from Condolence Cards to Grieving Families: About a year ago, Director Ocasio instructed the president of the National Memorial Ladies that the words “God” and “Jesus” are forbidden and that “God Bless” could no longer be written in condolence cards to families. Volunteers also were banned from speaking a religious message when talking directly to veterans’ families on cemetery grounds. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S. Quentin Quale, Esq. SASS 9953 Posted June 29, 2011 Share Posted June 29, 2011 While I agree with you, that is not how I am reading the article: So the VA is saying that the "default" practice for funerals/memorials is "atheist?" That's bizarre. While I don't subscribe to the theory that the U.S. is a "Christian" nation (IMO the First Amendment forbids that) the fact is that a dramatic percentage of our people hold some sort of faith. That would include Christians, Jews, Muslims, animists, etc. Against that background the "atheist" option should be actively selected. It would be interesting to follow the paper trail inside the VA to figure out where this practice came from. SQQ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocWard Posted June 29, 2011 Share Posted June 29, 2011 So the VA is saying that the "default" practice for funerals/memorials is "atheist?" That's bizarre. While I don't subscribe to the theory that the U.S. is a "Christian" nation (IMO the First Amendment forbids that) the fact is that a dramatic percentage of our people hold some sort of faith. That would include Christians, Jews, Muslims, animists, etc. Against that background the "atheist" option should be actively selected. It would be interesting to follow the paper trail inside the VA to figure out where this practice came from. SQQ I agree with you. It seems that it is limited to Houston, but it also seems that it goes a bit beyond a "default" and is almost attempting to actively discourage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boss Hoss Fly #63711 Posted June 29, 2011 Share Posted June 29, 2011 The VA has been making some really stupid PC calls over the last 40 years.... Thats a sad 'n stoopid fact!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Apache Hawk 60642 Posted June 29, 2011 Share Posted June 29, 2011 The VA has been making some really stupid PC calls over the last 40 years.... Yeah, but dis one takes da cake !!! BTW, 21 years of service with the Army ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Waimea Posted June 29, 2011 Share Posted June 29, 2011 Arleen Ocasio sounds like a Communist. The Communists tried wiping out religion in the Soviet Union. Didn't work there. The English created an approved State Religion and drove many of its own Citizens to the New World to avoid religious persecution. In their most extreme time of need, the families of fallen soldiers need to find comfort and frequently that comfort comes from their faith in God, whatever their idea of God is. It should not concern the Government that volunteers are consoling families by the mention of God. Just another example of a low-level Government employee trying to push their own agenda and getting press for it instead of being fired or reprimanded for doing so. Waimea God Bless America (hope nobody comes and takes me away for saying that) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trigger Mike Posted June 29, 2011 Share Posted June 29, 2011 Arleen Ocasio sounds like a Communist. The Communists tried wiping out religion in the Soviet Union. Didn't work there. The English created an approved State Religion and drove many of its own Citizens to the New World to avoid religious persecution. In their most extreme time of need, the families of fallen soldiers need to find comfort and frequently that comfort comes from their faith in God, whatever their idea of God is. It should not concern the Government that volunteers are consoling families by the mention of God. Just another example of a low-level Government employee trying to push their own agenda and getting press for it instead of being fired or reprimanded for doing so. Waimea God Bless America (hope nobody comes and takes me away for saying that) I want to add though that when the Germans invaded Russia in WW2 they opened the Christian church doors that had ben shut for many years by the government and I am told by a WW2 veteran that an old Russian Citizen was told by a German officer they could come worship again and the old man told the German they were several years too late that the youth of the day had no knowledge or concern for God as they had not been raised in it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red Gauntlet , SASS 60619 Posted June 29, 2011 Share Posted June 29, 2011 I want to add though that when the Germans invaded Russia in WW2 they opened the Christian church doors that had ben shut for many years by the government and I am told by a WW2 veteran that an old Russian Citizen was told by a German officer they could come worship again and the old man told the German they were several years too late that the youth of the day had no knowledge or concern for God as they had not been raised in it. Yes, it's a little-known fact that Operation Barbarossa was a Christian missionary outreach activity. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trigger Mike Posted June 29, 2011 Share Posted June 29, 2011 Yes, it's a little-known fact that Operation Barbarossa was a Christian missionary outreach activity. some times folks are just misunderstood- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trigger Mike Posted June 29, 2011 Share Posted June 29, 2011 whether they outlaw God at my funeral or not, I am a veteran and a preacher and I demand the preacher that does my funeral to detail how God is my saviour and how my family can take comfort in Jesus coming back to get my body one day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocWard Posted June 29, 2011 Share Posted June 29, 2011 Yes, it's a little-known fact that Operation Barbarossa was a Christian missionary outreach activity. And yet another monitor is in need of cleaning. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krazy Kajun Posted June 30, 2011 Share Posted June 30, 2011 It would be interesting to follow the paper trail inside the VA to figure out where this practice came from. SQQ I think you'll find the paper trail starts at the one holer out back of the VA! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gunner Gatlin, SASS 10274L Posted June 30, 2011 Author Share Posted June 30, 2011 Right on Trigger Mike. God bless pard GG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subdeacon Joe Posted June 30, 2011 Share Posted June 30, 2011 I wonder what Ms. Ocasio would say about a family that wanted a Greek Orthodox funeral? www.youtube.com/watch?v=T8RGAuxwBck (I'll not inflict a 13 min. video on you here, you will need to cut and paste into your browser window. That is part 1 of 2) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buckhorn Woodie Posted June 30, 2011 Share Posted June 30, 2011 It is such wonderful intelligent decisions like this that make me wish I was a Democrat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bama Red Posted June 30, 2011 Share Posted June 30, 2011 Unlike the Pledge of Allegiance thread, I am having a difficult time coming up with a cogent response that doesn't contain multiple expletives. My first thought was "Whiskey Tango Foxtrot???" Simply put, families invoking the name of God is NOT the same as Congress establishing a religion. If Ms. Ocasio can't understand the difference, she might consider a change of careers. I'm just not sure what she would be suited for. How about "target"? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bad Hand Posted June 30, 2011 Share Posted June 30, 2011 She also removed all the religious articles from the chapel and now uses it as a conference/training room. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mean Matt McCord, SASS #24683 Posted June 30, 2011 Share Posted June 30, 2011 Here's an idea. For anyone who holds a funeral service there, mention God anyway, dare her to even try and do something about it, and make it clear what the consequences will be if she does try. And no, I don't care if that sounded un-Godly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loophole LaRue, SASS #51438 Posted June 30, 2011 Share Posted June 30, 2011 Even OBL received religious ritual at his burial...... LL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whiskey Business Posted June 30, 2011 Share Posted June 30, 2011 Can you imagine telling a man of the cloth to quit with the God stuff? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hardpan Curmudgeon SASS #8967 Posted June 30, 2011 Share Posted June 30, 2011 Every time I think our world has reached the absolute pinnacle of looniness somethin' like this comes up and sets a new standard. I'm a-thinkin' that gal should be up for re-assignment... groundskeeper, perhaps, or mebbe grave-digger. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subdeacon Joe Posted June 30, 2011 Share Posted June 30, 2011 Every time I think our world has reached the absolute pinnacle of looniness somethin' like this comes up and sets a new standard. I'm a-thinkin' that gal should be up for re-assignment... groundskeeper, perhaps, or mebbe grave-digger. How about Will Stockdales MOS in No Time For Sergeants - PLO? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Birdgun Quail, SASS #63663 Posted June 30, 2011 Share Posted June 30, 2011 Don;t even know where to start - just appalled at this: :angry: http://www.veteransresources.org/2011/06/veterans-affairs-bans-mention-of-god-at-funerals-for-vets/ A Vet cannot even have his/her God mentioned at their own funeral. GG ~ Gunner you've got to understand why this is not allowed. She's got to nip it in the bud! If Vets are allowed to say "God" at funerals, the next thing they'll be saying is "Jesus" or even worse, "Merry Christmas!" Now to Ms Arleen Ocasio, Director of the Houston National Cemetery: "Well bless your heart." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hardpan Curmudgeon SASS #8967 Posted June 30, 2011 Share Posted June 30, 2011 How about Will Stockdales MOS in No Time For Sergeants - PLO? TOO COOL, SDJ~!! Wonder if she could get the facilities to salute~? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Forty Rod SASS 3935 Posted July 1, 2011 Share Posted July 1, 2011 In a pig's a$$! I'll say it and defy them to jail me over it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bad Hand Posted July 1, 2011 Share Posted July 1, 2011 In a pig's a$$! I'll say it and defy them to jail me over it. I'll post your bond, if they will let me, us sharin' a cell and all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quick Draw Granpaw #48525 Posted July 1, 2011 Share Posted July 1, 2011 And if I mention GOD will they strike me dead, incarcerate me for 20 years? I think not! God bless America and my God bless our troops! QDG 48525 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deja Vous Posted July 1, 2011 Share Posted July 1, 2011 Don;t even know where to start - just appalled at this: :angry: http://www.veteransr...erals-for-vets/ A Vet cannot even have his/her God mentioned at their own funeral. GG ~ Guys.. if I want to pray I pray.. if i want to mention God I do it.. God is my creator and he give me guidance so I hope I make the right decisions in life. True not all of mine have been the best, but you know I didn'tl iisten to the voices either. Now I hear him loud and clearl.. So ... my point is nothing will stop me darn it.. My Rat Dog knows God loves herk and she knows that God tells me to be good to her everyday.. nothing, no law, no person will change me or my prayers,. I do not pray out loud all the time like for diner.. but believe me.. I still pray.. God at times tells me to not be so vocal... cuz not everyone is ready for him yet.. I wish I was so much bettter than I am.. but I do try.. lol DV Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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