Wednesday, June 29, 2011

VA Cemetery to Veterans: The Word "God," "Jesus" are Offensive, no Longer Allowed

The Houston National Cemetery has told veterans and volunteers alike that they can no longer use the word "God,""God bless," or "Jesus" at any and all funerals or condolence cards.  The word has been deemed 'offensive.'

That is according to local volunteer and veterans groups that work at the cemetery.  They are now suing the Cemetery in federal court so that they can use the word God.

To cite one specific example given in the suit, the director of the cemetery, Arleen Ocasio commanded volunteers never to use "God bless you" and "God bless" ever again at the cemetery.

Cheryl Whitfield, founder of Houston National Memorial Ladies, could not simply stand by. "I could've kept my mouth shut and let things happen, but when it comes to standing up for your belief in God and giving comfort to the families, I don't want to regret not saying anything," she said. "We all had to stand up for what we believe in."

Specifically, the suit brought against the cemetery and the Department of Veterans Affairs states that there has been "a widespread and consistent practice of discriminating against private religious speech."
Houston National Cemetery
The suit goes on to describe Ms. Ocasio's running of the cemetery:
"The doors remain locked during Houston National Cemetery operating hours, the cross and the Bible have been removed, and the Chapel bells, which tolled at least twice a day, are now inoperative. Director Ocasio only unlocks the chapel doors when meetings or training sessions are held at the building. Furthermore, it is no longer called a 'chapel' but a 'meeting facility.' "
Another man allegedly discriminated against in the suit was Vietnam veteran Nobleton Jones. After reciting the words, "We ask that God grant you and your family grace, mercy and peace" at a burial ceremony, a phrase that he has used for decades, he was told to stop.

"That makes me feel smaller, even after I spent my time in the military, fighting so that people should be able to say that," he said in response. "I did all this for my country and you are going to tell me what I can and can't say?"

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26 comments:

  1. Richard P in IllinoisJune 29, 2011 at 9:08 AM

    Sue them until they puke . As an eight year Vet I still believe Freedom of Religion and the right to Free Speech are still covered by the Constitution . Many Vets died so we had those Rights and no one can take them away from them or the living . These people should be fired .

    ReplyDelete
  2. ZillaJune 29, 2011 at 10:18 AM

    Disgusting & evil. How is it not illegal? Why should they have ANY say in what private citizens and Veterans put on condolence cards? Who gives them the right to dictate what may be said at funerals? The VA cemeteries are filled with men & women who have risked and often sacrificed all for this country, those who grieve for them have First Amendment rights just like anyone else.
    How much you wanna bet that those bastards allow "allah" to be mentioned with no problem?

    ReplyDelete
  3. AnonymousJune 29, 2011 at 11:38 AM

    Robert Jones Anna Illinois A NAM VET
    Who is this person in charge and why are they in caharge,fire this person now.What Kind if name is
    Ocasio

    ReplyDelete
  4. AureliusJune 29, 2011 at 2:26 PM

    Disgusting

    ReplyDelete
  5. AnonymousJune 29, 2011 at 6:24 PM

    I have but one thing to say to the morons who made yet another discriminatory rule against Christianity and God..that will not be followed... GOD BLESS YOU...you are going to need it!

    ReplyDelete
  6. GREAT WHITE CRACKERJune 29, 2011 at 6:53 PM

    TAKE BACK OUR COUNTRY DEUS VOLT

    ReplyDelete
  7. AnonymousJune 29, 2011 at 7:16 PM

    The government no longer follow their own laws. I suggest the troops start following their lead. Follow your heart, not the "new rules". One day in the not to distant future, the government is going to ask the troops to fire on their fellow Americans. Will they follow the rules then too?

    ReplyDelete
  8. AnonymousJune 29, 2011 at 7:31 PM

    Here is the address to that VA cemetery: Houston National Cemetery; 10410 Veterans Memorial Dr.; Houston, TX 77038 (281) 447-8686

    Bombard them with calls of disgust!

    ~~A Veteran

    ReplyDelete
  9. AnonymousJune 29, 2011 at 8:11 PM

    Its time to start banning the left.

    ReplyDelete
  10. AnonymousJune 29, 2011 at 9:30 PM

    I will continue saying GOD BLESS YOU and any other words that will say that the LORD is always walking with us. If they don't like it, let them leave or cover their ears.

    ReplyDelete
  11. jstol3June 29, 2011 at 10:18 PM

    Ultimately, after Obama, the person responsible for the actions of the VA at any facility, is Director Eric Shinseki and his address is:

    Director Eric Shinseki
    Dept. of Veterans Affairs
    810 Vermont Ave. NW
    Washington, DC 20420-0002

    Shinseki a retired Army General, served in Vietnam and lost part of a foot there. Shinseki should know better as he is both a Vietnam Vet and cold war warrior who fought the Godless communists in the USSR, North Korea and Vietnam who couldn't stand competition from a Supreme Creator.

    Write to him.

    ReplyDelete
  12. AnonymousJune 30, 2011 at 1:01 AM

    We need to wake up... WE are the Godless communists now. Welcome to the USSA.

    ReplyDelete
  13. AnonymousJune 30, 2011 at 6:48 AM

    Dear God in Heaven, please have mercy on our souls as we know not what we do...Our souls crave fellowship with You...Thank you Jesus for dying in place of our blaspheming ways.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Stephen T. DexterJune 30, 2011 at 7:19 AM

    It seems that we need to know more about this. It is hard to believe that the word "God" and others have been banned from use at the cemetery. I have read (a) that the cemetery director has changed the use of a building that had been used as a chapel and (b) a clergyman asked to speak at a Memorial Day service was asked to be more "non-denomational" since all religious faiths, uncluding those not Christian, would be represented. How these issues have expanded to a banning of the word "God" I do not yet know.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Charlie72441June 30, 2011 at 10:53 AM

    Glory to God hallelujah,thank you Jesus,there ain't nobody going to tell me what I can say and what I can't say.God gave us the ability to make our own decision,So they might tell me but it is up to me if if I abide to what they say.I will do what God tells me,not man.Please Lord God Bless You all and God Bless America.

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  16. johnJune 30, 2011 at 4:12 PM

    person in charge is known as Obama

    ReplyDelete
  17. AnonymousJune 30, 2011 at 8:50 PM

    Murderess for salary crying fore…. God blesses ore forgiveness?
    If any one is stupid enough to go to the war, kill each other …. I think they should be aloud. Brain washed idiots soled their lives to mother fuckers who don’t give a shit about them.
    Why God should bless killers? And who are you to tell a God who should be blessed?
    I would write “burn in hell for ever “, “Evil take care of you now”.
    If soldiers would build schools and hospitals, in the brown peoples countries and make bridges between cultures it will be best defense ever and USA greatest country in the world. Wake up folks; they are not doctors with out borders who work for free. They are killers with out borders who work for salary and kill any one on command. Godless people seeking for God blessing… I wouldn’t bother even bury them.

    ReplyDelete
  18. AnonymousJuly 1, 2011 at 10:28 AM

    The ACLU and all the liberals of this Country should be sent to an island so they can rule themselfs and leave the God loving people of this country alone."God bless America"A Viet Nam Vet

    ReplyDelete
  19. Combat Wounded Vietnam VeteranJuly 2, 2011 at 2:55 PM

    It is very obvious that the Director of the Cemetery is not a Veteran, nor has ever served the United States in any way other than to take a check and benefits from the government. she should not even have this job, it should have gone to a Combat Veteran and preferrably to one with a Purple Heart or higher Award. As they say in North Carolina, "Bless her heart!"

    ReplyDelete
  20. AnonymousJuly 2, 2011 at 7:27 PM

    This article is misleading. The words have not been banned nor have any references to god or religion. The guidelines state that the services read at funeral must be approved by the family of the deceased, and no one can urge any particular kind of ritual on the families.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnonymousJanuary 27, 2013 at 8:25 PM

      You are WRONG!! My friends who buried their Dad, a veteran were told they cannot use the name of God in his service.

      Delete
  21. AnonymousJuly 3, 2011 at 1:36 PM

    What a disgraceful piece of trash this woman, Arleen Ocasio, is. America is truly on the decline!

    ReplyDelete
  22. AnonymousJuly 3, 2011 at 9:51 PM

    Pen those SOB's in a foxhole and let them see if God is a bad thing.

    ReplyDelete
  23. primigi shoesJuly 4, 2011 at 8:53 AM

    One of the most prominent cemetry in the USA is the Arlington National Cemetry. Spread over 624 acres, the cemetry has 300000 gravesites. Veterans and military casualities of each of the wars.

    ReplyDelete
  24. plumbingJuly 18, 2011 at 10:40 AM

    As for group of conservatives, it is really offensive in terms of religion. Many people are not aware of that and it is against the ten commandments.

    ReplyDelete
  25. EUGENESeptember 5, 2011 at 4:53 PM

    to john, OBAMA HAS NOTHING to do with this lets stop the madness!!!! people,we need to remember not to judge. if this woman has made these changes,she needs to be removed.our personal believes do not belong in certin places.however,we must PRAY HARD FOR THE PEOPLE THE DEVIL IS USING TO BRING US DOWN.AS CHILDREN OF GOD, WE MUST FORGIVE THEM THERE TRESPASSES,AND PRAY FOR THEM!!!!!!! GOD BLESS U ALL

    ReplyDelete

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