Posted on 04/02/2018 4:41:43 PM PDT by MarvinStinson
Retired Air Force sergeant Oscar Rodriguez, who was forcibly removed two years ago from a retirement ceremony as he recited a traditional passage honoring the flag filed a lawsuit Monday, claiming he was ousted for mentioning the word "God."
Video of the event showed Rodriguez being physically removed by service members at Travis Air Force Base in California as he was delivering a flag-folding speech.
"I was removed from the speech because my script mentioned God. Air force officials did not want me to utter those words."
Rodriguez delivered the speech at the request of Master Sgt. Chuck Roberson, who was retiring from the U.S. Air Force after 33 years of service.
Even though the Air Force revised the script in 2006, Rodriguez claimed it was his right -- and Roberson's right -- to invoke the older version.
"[The U.S. Air Force] did not have the authority to ban him from the base and they did not have the authority to ban him from participating in the ceremony," said Hiram Sasser, general counsel for First Liberty Institute.
The complaint claimed officers at the base exchanged an email shortly after the incident where an officer -- whose name was redacted -- suggested filing assault charges against the men who removed Rodriguez from the ceremony.
Roberson confirmed that it was his wish to have Rodriguez recite the speech at his retirement ceremony.
"I wanted the ceremony to reflect the American values I spent my career defending – respect for God, family, and country," Roberson said.
"I couldn’t believe what happened. I still can’t believe it. All I want now is for the Air Force to apologize for ruining this once in a lifetime moment but they refuse to do so," he said.
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
The Air Force has become quite intolerant of the first amendment.
No, you're just being dishonest now. To repeat, according to the Air Force's own regulations, the wishes of the honoree are take precedence, regardless of script, or a CO who is himself violating those regulations. It doesn't matter how much sophistry you try, the Air Force CO was wrong, and he violated the rights of both men.
I looked for my previous posts. Did not find them. Will have to revise my search.
Others posted the articles too.
I think they related to Veterans Administration Cemeteries.
Here is one I found that I posted (June 28, 2011):
Houston VA accused of censoring religious speech
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/2741509/posts
There were others.
Battlefield Cross returned to Ohio cemetery after ‘regrettable misinterpretation’
By Travis Fedschun, October 18th, 2017
http://www.foxnews.com/us/2017/10/18/battlefield-cross-returned-to-ohio-cemetery-after-regrettable-misinterpretation.html
Battlefield Cross marker returned to Ohio cemetery
Monument was removed from Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery as a result of ‘misinterpretation of policy guidance’ from Veterans Affairs headquarters in D.C.
A Battlefield Cross marker is now back standing tall at an Ohio cemetery after a “regrettable misinterpretation of policy guidance” from the Department of Veterans Affairs.
The marker, made up of a helmet, rife, and pair of boots was removed from Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery last week after a complaint that it included the depiction of a realistic-looking gun, FOX 8 reported.
Mears is auditioning to become one of the lawyers defending against Rodriguez’s suit.
But he’s failiing bigtime.
I have in my hand a recent-issue (2017) US nickel, which bears the phrase, “In God we trust.” How can a phrase that appears on our coins and currency be considered offensive enough to interrupt a ceremony?
From your article:
Monument was removed from Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery as a result of ‘misinterpretation of policy guidance’ from Veterans Affairs headquarters in D.C.
Someone needs some serious straightening out. I think VP Pence would be an ideal entry point for fixing this. This would be right up his alley.
Mears is a woman. I'm signing off - don't want to waste any more time with someone who won't engage honestly.
No mention of the squadron commander's name. It sounds like that commander has some explaining to do.
More Obama-era BS. Thanks MarvinStinson.
You are actually referring to the current Commandant. The Superintendent is currently Lt Gen Jay B. Silveria.
Dear Mears,
I retired from the Air Force. I had the flag ceremony with God done at my retirement. I chose this. No commander had the right to say who I could or couldn’t have at my ceremony.
If they had tried, they would have been uninvited and ask not to attend themselves.
Alas Babylon!, SMSgt, USAF, Retired.
Thank you for your service-——I was commenting on informatiion provided by the posted article,that’s all.
.
Thank you for that.
I was stationed at a Defense Agency here in DC when I retired from the Air force.
I was so furious and disenchanted about what was happening with the Military and the defense of our country (Clinton administration) that when they asked me about my retirement ceremony I told them that I wanted nothing. I had turned down a promotion to retire. I just walked out of my office on my last day and returned three days later (different office and division) as a contractor owning my own company.
An Army Colonel I had worked with called me a month later to set up a medal ceremony for me as I was awarded the Defense Meritorious Service Medal. I told him to mail it to me. It showed up in a padded envelope about four days later.
Roberson confirmed that it was his wish to have Rodriguez recite the speech at his retirement ceremony.
“I wanted the ceremony to reflect the American values I spent my career defending – respect for God, family, and country,” Roberson said.
“I couldn’t believe what happened. I still can’t believe it. All I want now is for the Air Force to apologize for ruining this once in a lifetime moment but they refuse to do so,” he said.
Remember, Susan Rice said that deserter Bergdahal served with “distinction”.
[[God was booed three times at the Charlotte DNC convention in 2012.]]
Which is why God is turning His face from us and removing His blessings upon this country-Thanks Democrats for ticking off the One who is the source of all blessings
Queers in the military.
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