7258′ – April 18, 2011

Mikey,

I know that the USAFA Association of Graduates is a private, non-governmental organization, but they are inextricably linked to the Academy.  So, when thousands of grads get an e-Mail from them announcing news about the Academy, we all at least tend to scan it for events, interesting offers, reunion info, etc.  Well, today I was little shocked to see that they are marketing a painting by an aviation artist called “Defending the Faith,” that shows an appropriately heroic F-16 (no doubt blessed at the assembly line, flown by a pious and devote christian fighter pilot) soaring over the Cadet Chapel at sunset, guarding that landmark against all enemies heathen, atheist, and muslim, foreign and domestic.  Did it just drop a precision guided bomb on the Stone Circle?  We can’t know that of course.

So, yes, even our AOG is promulgating the message of a religiously unified Academy.  That’s a tradition we can all be proud of.

Name Withheld by Request
Lifetime AOG Member and USAFA Grad

___________________________________________________________________________________________

To: MRFF and Mr. Weinstein,

Why is the AOG and USAFA selling a painting for profit which exploits obviously Christian faith supremacy and the F-16 fighter mixed with the Academy and “Defending The Faith”? Who’s “Faith” is the AOG and USAFA’s painting actually defending here? As if none of us could guess? Wouldn’t this be the last type of painting which USAFA and the AOG would want to be selling over the internet right now? I am a recent graduate and am Catholic. I am also an AOG member but before I quit, I want to know if MRFF can help “us” ( I have talked to several other grads abut this who are as disappointed and perplexed as I am) to find out why this has happened and what the real story is? Please do not use my name or anything else. Thank you MRFF for all you do!

(name, rank, phone number and location withheld)