Kent Miller, Staff writer 1:54 p.m. EDT September 25, 2015
The Military Religious Freedom Foundation and its founder and president, Mikey Weinstein, are demanding that this religiously themed sign on Marine Corps Base Hawaii be moved to the chapel grounds or taken down.(Photo: Military Religious Freedom Foundation)
A religiously themed sign on
Marine Corps Base Hawaii has come under fire from the
Military Religious Freedom Foundation and its founder and president, Mikey Weinstein.
The sign, which according to base officials was erected after the 9/11 terrorist attacks in 2001, says, "God bless the military, their families and the civilians who work with them." MRFF seeks to have the sign, which is near the base marina, taken down and moved to the grounds of the base chapel.
In a message to Col. Sean C. Killeen, commanding officer of MCB Hawaii, Blake A. Page, special assistant to Weinstein, asserts the sign is inappropriate and illegal.
"This sign is a brazen violation of the No Establishment clause of the Constitution, as it sends the clear message that your installation gives preference to those who hold religious beliefs over those who do not, and those who prefer a monotheistic, intervening god over other deities or theologies," Blake wrote. "We recognize the value that religious activity brings to the lives of many, however this sign is not in keeping with the time, place, and manner restrictions required by law [or] for any military commander to bolster religious principles through the official authority given to their rank and position."