MRFF

Mikey:
I have just read about your organization in Truthout. I had no idea that such religious fascism is so prevalent in our US Military. I am not a vet, but Canadian born US citizen now nearly 78 years of age. I converted to Judaism in 1985, as I had struggled all my life with the bigotry that I encountered in the Southern Baptist Faith of Southern Ontario. My father fought in WW II, having volunteered two days after Canada declared War on Nazi Germany September 6th. 1939, was overseas by Christmas. He rose from a private to become Commanding Officer of his Regiment, No 2 Coy, Royal Canadian Provost Corps. It was his involvement in the European part of WW II, including being on the beaches of Normandy on D-Day all the way to participating in the Nuremberg trials investigations, that changed my father profoundly. He returned to Toronto in December 1945! Six long years! He became very sensitive to ANY racial or religious bigotry, and instilled that in me…even though I had not had him with me all those years growing up. IN the end, (and he died in 1975 at age 68 of war wounds he received on D-Day), he felt he had done his small part to preserve our deep freedoms from tyranny, including religious ones. I emigrated to the US in 1967, and became a US citizen finally in 1985. Dad would have been proud, as he grew quite fond of the USA. He was able to see and enjoy my modest success, and visited me many times in California.
I/we, my wife and I, were wiped out financially in the Northridge Earthquake of 1994, and subsequently moved into her family home here in Charleston West Virginia. I would if I could support you financially, but we are still very tight and unable to be less than very frugal. But I want you to know that I find your work as described in this article to be absolutely marvelous. If I could support your work here in Charleston in any way, let me know. (Are you active in Canadian Military…is there a similar problem there?)
In spite of my age, I am presently starting a new manufacturing business, still pursuing the American Dream, so when it pays off a little for me, maybe I can help then. I am a member of BOTH B’Nai Jacob Synagogue (Conservative/Traditional) and B’Nai Israel Temple (Reform) here in Charleston. There is quite an active Jewish community here…maybe we could have your son, who I see is stationed in Dayton, to come and speak to us sometime…is that possible? Keep up the good work…we must preserve our hard fought Freedom!
Shalom
(name and location withheld)