MILITARY: Atheist group objects to memorial cross at Camp Pendleton [View All]

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Scott Radetski, Karen Mendoza, Jon Gross and Shannon Book work to carry a 13-foot cross to the top of a mountain at Camp Pendleton on Nov. 10 to recognize those Marines who have fallen or been wounded in combat. The original cross was carried up by seven people, and three of those original seven were killed in combat in Iraq. Radetski was a chaplain during the battle for Fallujah, Mendoza's husband was killed in combat, and Gross and Book also served in Iraq during the battle for Fallujah. (RICK LOOMIS / Los Angeles Times )

By MARK WALKER [e-mail] North County Times | Posted: Wednesday, November 16, 2011 6:00 pm

An atheist group lodged objections Wednesday to a cross that was erected on a Camp Pendleton hillside on Veterans Day, saying the memorial to fallen troops is a Christian symbol that isn't appropriate on federal land.

Jason Torpy of the Washington-based Military Association of Atheists and Freethinkers said his group does not believe the cross put up Friday is constitutional and has asked base officials to explain why it is being allowed.

"No cross or statue of Jesus represents military service," Torpy said in a written statement. "Military service is being exploited to secure unconstitutional Christian privilege."

The 13-foot cross was carried to the site and put up by a group of Iraq war veterans and two widows of Camp Pendleton Marines killed in combat.

http://www.nctimes.com/news/local/military/military-atheist-group-objects-to-memorial-cross-at-camp-pendleton/article_1a2deffe-1b96-5c90-8c9e-66a8155bc897.html