from usafa ’79 grad

Mikey and Family and Staff,

I’ve followed your activities for some time
and recently read an article about the MRFF in Nation magazine.

I am USAFA ’79 grad.

I want to thank you for all your efforts and sacrifices
in your work to make USAFA a better institution.

Just a little story to relate on the subject…

As a 3rd classman, one of my professors
was in the habit of holding “bible study” during the 10 minutes
preceding the class hour. He was a Major as I recall.

One day he was discoursing on this concept:
Belief in Jesus = Life
Non Belief in Jesus = Death

He’d written those words on the blackboard during the 10
minute Bible study, and the words remained there for all to see for the duration
of the class hour.

I realized this was all rather innocuous on its face, but, being
a Jewish cadet, at a goverment institution, I found the professor’s instruction nevertheless
quite disconcerting and totally out of place. As a 19 year old
lacking any religious belief in Jesus, I did not welcome the prospect
of death, at least not yet.

It was a question for me as to whether to question the actions of a ranked active duty
military officer, as well as someone who had control over my academic grade.

After speaking to my parents about it, I reported the activities
of the professor to the Department Head, the Jewish
Chaplain, and my faculty advisor. Actions were then taken
to stop the “between classes” Bible study.

I had not realized that that this activity was the proverbial tip of the iceberg,
until years later I began to see articles from time to time of your dilligent efforts
to unearth and thereafter prosecute with great courage, putting your lives, liberty and property
at great risk.

So please accept my sincere thanks. I will be sending in contributions
to MRFF from time to time from hereonafter.

Kindly please do not publish my email and please withhold my name
or email address from any listings you maintain. I apparently lack the courage
you do, but I hope my support will in some way help.

Sincerely,
(name, withheld)