June 14 is the 65th anniversary of the World War II "Bakers Creek" plane crash in Australia that killed 40 U.S. troops. Families of the soldiers, veterans' organizations, and others have contributed money for a monument to the soldiers that they want the Army to place at Ft. Myer, near Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia. Scripps Howard News Service yesterday reported that the Army however is holding off on accepting the monument because of a pending Supreme Court case on religious monuments. In Pleasant Grove City v. Summum, the Supreme Court will decide whether a city created a "public forum" open to others as well by accepting a donation of a 10 Commandments monument put up in a city park. (See prior posting.)
In reporting to Congress last week, an Army spokesman wrote: "Due to the ramifications that this case may have on the Army's acceptance of the Bakers Creek Memorial or any other monument funded by private funds, the Army will await the Supreme Court's decision to assess its options." Robert Cutler, executive director of the Bakers Creek Memorial Association, suggested a solution-- have the Army buy the memorial for a nominal amount so it is not "donated". Meanwhile the memorial remains temporarily at the Australian Embassy in Washington. (A posting at Texomas carries a photo of the memorial.)
