For the first time in 42 years, the U.S. Air Force has refused a "flyover request" for the "God and Country Rally" sponsored by the Christian Defense Coalition over the July 4 weekend. (Coalition Press Release.) The Pentagon's e-mail message (full text) rejecting the request says in part: "Air Force and DoD policy prohibit support for events which appear to endorse, selectively benefit, or favor any special interest group, religious or ideological movement." The Christian Defense Coalition says that the annual rally, held in Nampa, Idaho, honors those serving in the U.S. armed forces, and does not promote one religious faith tradition. Coalition director, Rev. Patrick J. Mahoney, asks: "Will the new policy of President Obama be that a person has to surrender their faith tradition to honor and pay tribute to our courageous men and women who serve in the military?"
Daily Kos yesterday, reporting on developments, quotes Military Religious Freedom Foundation president Mikey Weinstein's strong support of the Air Force's decision. Weinstein, in his typically blunt fashion, said: "To those in the fundamentalist Christian cabal who vigorously oppose this long sought, terrific decision by the U.S. Air Force, may I suggest that they consider holding their event next year in Kim Jung Il's North Korea or the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as neither of those countries have a separation of Church and State as we do in beautiful America."
