One hundred years ago today, World War I officially ended with the signing of the armistice in France. Several years later, the Bladensburg Peace Cross was erected in Maryland, to honor 49 Bladensburg-area men who gave their lives while serving in the Great War as it was referred to at that time. First Liberty (a law firm dedicated to defending our religious liberty) shares the history behind that monument ~
A century ago, thousands of American service members paid the ultimate price fighting for freedom in World War I, the “great war to end all wars.” Among those, were the “Fallen 49” heroes of Prince George’s County, located just outside of Washington, D.C.
In the aftermath of this horrific conflict, 10 Gold Star Mothers, led by Martha Redman and Mrs. William Farmer, began their earnest mission to build nation’s first WWI veterans memorial to honor their sons’ sacrifice. To them, the Bladensburg memorial was and IS their sons’ “grave stone,” as many never made it back from overseas.
Shortly after the project began, returning veterans of the war – members of the local American Legion post – worked arduously to complete the Bladensburg WWI Veterans Memorial, which was accomplished in 1925.
Today, this proud symbol of sacrifice stands at the intersection of the National Defense Highway, nearest to Washington, D.C. and just 26 miles from Annapolis. On its base, a bronze plaque lists the names of the 49 fallen heroes, along with the dates 1917 and 1918, and the inscription: This Memorial Cross Dedicated To The Heroes of Prince George’s County Who Gave Their Lives In The Great War For The Liberty Of The World.
Veteran’s Day and Memorial Day ceremonies, as well as other civic gatherings, are regularly held at the site. More importantly, the cross represents a huge piece of our American history. It’s a visible reminder of the selfless sacrifices made by those who came before us, which made possible the freedoms we enjoy today.
But now, almost a century after its dedication, a handful of anti-God, anti-American folks feel that the monument’s very existence somehow tramples on their right to believe in nothing. So off went the American Humanist Association (“AHA”), and a group of other perpetually-offended individuals, to sue for its removal. When a district court ruled against them, they appealed to the Fourth Circuit, which erroneously decreed that the cross had to go.
As I’ve pointed out several times, separation of church and state has been a phony pretext since progressives first started using it decades ago to eliminate religion from the public square. Their specious assertion is easily debunked by pointing out the hundreds of ways in which every level of government – from the time the nation was first founded – have supported, honored, even promoted the worship of God – never favoring a particular denomination, but in a very ecumenical sense.
Clearly, if this cross is unconstitutional now, it was unconstitutional when it was erected. And therefore never would have been permitted 100 years ago. As ACLJ (American Center for Law & Justice) points out ~
(A) longstanding war memorial does not “offend the Constitution” by virtue of it being in the shape of a Latin cross, a common and well-known symbol of sacrifice, honor, and respect. What truly offends the Constitution in this case is not the Bladensburg Peace Cross, but the decision of the Fourth Circuit striking it down.
The good news is, the Supreme Court has agreed to hear this case and will do so over the course of the next several months, with a final decision due by the end of June. Let’s pray they reach the correct conclusion. Because this case is monumentally important ~
In deciding whether the Peace Cross can continue to stand in Bladensburg, Maryland, the Supreme Court will also decide the fate of similar monuments, markers, and statues throughout the country, such as the memorial war crosses found in Arlington National Cemetery.
The Court must put an end to the anti-religious heckler’s veto, where one offended individual can use litigation to tear down a beloved monument not to his liking or that is hurtful to his feelings. The Establishment Clause was not intended to be weaponized in this fashion.
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Related:
What Veterans Say About Effort at Supreme Court to Remove Peace Cross War Memorial ~
“The nearly 2 million members of the American Legion are rather bothered by the fact that our opponents want to erase the sacrifices of the 49 brave men who gave up their lives for Prince George’s County, Maryland,” said Jeremy Dys, deputy general counsel for First Liberty Institute, which represents the veterans organization in the case.
Defend Bladensburg WWI Memorial Cross ~ Please sign this ACLJ petition
