MRFF's Inbox

January 6, 2009

The following is a letter from Randi Handman, the mother of Pvt. Michael Handman. Pvt. Handman is the Jewish U.S. Army soldier who was viciously beaten at Ft. Benning, GA last September. Handman also experienced egregious religious discrimination at the hands of two drill sergeants, one of whom referred to him as "Juden" (the German word for "Jew").

After receiving word of the horrific treatment of Pvt. Handman at Ft. Benning, the Military Religious Freedom Foundation immediately sprung into action, contacting U.S. Army and DoD officials, retaining a nationally-recognized law firm, and demanding instant and drastic measures to protect Handman from further attacks, and to insist that those who perpetrated these crimes
were punished.

The links which follow lead to the prominent news coverage of these events that was published after MRFF's exposure of these vicious attacks and insidious constitutional violations. Immediately following these links is the letter MRFF received today from Randi Handman.

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October 3, 2008 - Jewish Army trainee says he was beaten
at Ga.'s Fort Benning after discrimination complaint

October 10, 2008 - Soldier punished in beating of Jewish trainee

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October 13, 2008 - Beating of Jewish soldier
won't be charged as crime

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November 18, 2008 - Beating of Jewish Soldier
at Fort Benning Turns Allies Into Foes

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October 13, 2008 - Assault or hate crime in
attack on Jewish soldier at U.S. base?

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September 30, 2008 - Army Private Subjected to
Anti-Semitic Attacks Brutally Beaten By Soldiers

October 13, 2008 - Jewish Leader Says Victim of
Anti-Semitic Attack Playing 'Jew Card'

November 15, 2008 - ADL's Handling of Fort
Benning Anti-Semitism Case Under Fire

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January 6, 2009

Dear Mr. Weinstein,

I am writing today to inform you of the wonderful news that my son, Michael, has been officially discharged from the United States Army. Further, he has just received a fully honorable medical discharge.

Although I am very joyous.....bitter sweet emotions still come to mind. I will NEVER be able to thank you and the Military Religious Freedom Foundation (MRFF) enough for the relentless humanitarian help we have received! I am convinced that my son would still be in a terrible military purgatory had we not been so fortunate to find you and The Military Religious Freedom Foundation. MRFF's tireless 24/7 persistence finally led directly to this just outcome. No other organization even so much as gave us the time of day despite our best efforts to reach out for help in our time of desperate need.

Through our being a client of the Military Religious Freedom Foundation, we were astounded to discover that we were not alone; rather, we learned of the many others, indeed thousands, who also face a similar struggle against religious persecution and bigotry in the United States armed forces. The nonstop attempts of the religious majority to intimidate, bully and coerce those of different faiths is unbelievably systemic and tragically widespread throughout the American military. We were so very troubled to discover that these terrible situations are experienced not only by Jewish families, like ours, but also by those military members ranging in beliefs from Christian (both Protestant and Catholic) to Islamic, Buddhist, Hindu, Wiccan, et al and also those with no religious belief.

I am so completely and profoundly proud of Michael for standing up for his religious freedom, however I am so disappointed in our United States Army for allowing ANY soldiers' religious rights to be challenged and made sport of. All of our brave servicemen & women made a courageous choice to join the proud ranks of our nation's honored military and to protect and defend our Constitution when they signed their names & took an oath. That oath requires each service member to protect and defend the Constitution from all enemies, foreign and DOMESTIC. We Americans all sleep under the same precious blanket of freedom that our brave military provides for us....knowing that while we securely sleep many soldiers of all religions may and will die.

Mr. Weinstein, what you and MRFF have done for my family & the countless other soldiers and their loved ones is indeed a blessing. We are so grateful, so very appreciative that a bold and action-oriented Foundation such as yours exists. We realize now more than ever how imperative it is to spread the word swiftly about supporting MRFF's vital Constitutional cause. You will certainly have our total support forever and a day.

Sir, you will always have my greatest respect...

Randi Handman
Mother of Pvt. Michael C. Handman