Putnam Statement on Banning Flag-Folding Recitation at National Cemeteries

WASHINGTON. DC  – Volunteers from groups like the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion have been banned from reciting a time-honored flag-folding ceremony at America’s 125 national cemeteries during funerals. A single complaint led the Department of Veterans Affairs to issue a directive banning the recitation, which recounts the meaning of each of the flag’s 13 folds. The 11th and 12th folds honor God, and the last serves as a reminder of our national motto: “In God We Trust.”

The new policy has sparked outrage from veterans across the country. One VFW commander in Ohio said it is “totally ridiculous … I’m part of our color guard and it is disrespectful of all of us.” A California veteran and member of a color guard called it “a slap in the face to every veteran."

Rep. Adam Putnam (R-FL), Chairman of the House Republican Conference, issued the following statement:

“There are few ceremonies more moving than those that honor our nation’s veterans as they are laid to rest among their fellow servicemembers. The flag-folding ceremony is perhaps the most stirring moment of the service, and the recitation that accompanies it is a fitting tribute to the values these heroes offered to protect and defend.

“Unfortunately in Washington today there are government officials who seem to believe that their job description includes removing any reference to God from the public domain. These bureaucrats would hold that the need to protect political correctness outweighs the cost of toppling our most dearly-held traditions. That is just dead wrong, and the decision to ban this solemn recitation smacks of insensitivity to the sacrifices our veterans and their loved ones have made. 

“Our brave veterans fought for one nation under God. It should be left to their families – not overzealous bureaucrats – to decide the manner in which they receive their last honors.”

Source: House Republican Conference Press Release

Technorati Tags: News National Adam Putnam American Legion God Government In God We Trust one nation under God Politics Veterans of Foreign Wars

• ‹ previous
• 3008 of 3858
• next ›