Poor baby….cry some more

From: (name withheld)
Subject: Poor baby….. cry some more
Date: December 8, 2021 at 11:11:15 PM MST
To: “[email protected]”

Ahhhh. Are you little feelings hurt about the wreaths. Dont be a little bitch. Find something better to do. 

(name withheld)

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Response from MRFF Advisory Board Member Martin France

On Dec 9, 2021, at 7:11 AM, Martin France wrote:

(name withheld), thanks for your kind and considerate commentary on this issue and MRFF’s valuable work to defend our fallen heroes and their survivors from being taken advantage of by a company that does little more than decorate graves–without truly helping the plight of veterans.  Let me share a response I sent to another writer, as it might illuminate the position with you a little more.  Here you go.  Check out the link, too:

On Dec 6, 2021, at 9:32 PM, Martin France <[email protected]> wrote:Mr XXXX,I occasionally answer emails like yours for the MRFF in my role as an Advisory Board Member.  First, let me thank you and your family for your dad’s service with the 29th ID.  I’ve been to the Omaha Beach and the US cemetery there twice and both times it was among the most moving experiences of my life.  Once, I was even honored to fold the American flag at retreat as, at the time, an active duty Air Force colonel (I served 37-plus years on active duty).  While many agree that covering every grave at an American veteran’s cemetery with Christmas wreaths may look beautiful, I disagree with your point that ALL of the surviving family members feel the same way.  Mine wouldn’t.  I’m not a Christian.  Not all of those buried in Arlington or on the bluff above Omaha Beach are Christians who observe Christmas, you see.  While I don’t doubt the sincerity of those who buy and place the wreathes, I also think it presumptuous of anyone to just assume that the surviving family members of all those fallen heroes are Christians who want a wreath on their hero’s grave.  What about our Jewish heroes?  Muslims?  Atheists? Others?The MRFF is not anti-wreath.  We are anti-presumption.  We think that anyone who wants a wreath on their loved one’s grave should be able to opt-in and have a wreath put on their grave–or be free to put one there themselves.  We don’t think it should be automatic.  Families can certainly opt in, but the burden shouldn’t be on THEM to opt out.  Remember, one person’s decorating is another person’s vandalism.  If you were Christian, would you want your loved one’s grave and all those in the cemetery decorated with a Muslim symbol by well-meaning donors?  How about a Menorah?  A Confederate Flag?  Something you don’t personally like?  Again, our point is that the mass decoration of a cemetery for veterans, on government property, done by a tightly intertwined for-profit company that established a charity through which people give money to buy wreaths out of their patriotism and goodwill and then funnel that money back into their own company to the tune of millions of dollars per year, shouldn’t be sanctioned and allowed for ALL graves.  If you want to pay a company to put a wreath on your father’s grave, that’s your right.  You do not, on the other hand, have the right to put a decoration of YOUR choosing on the grave of my dad, who is also a veteran–not without first gaining my (and my brother’s) approval.  Do you get that?Just because it makes YOU feel good and YOU think it looks pretty, doesn’t mean it’s the right thing to do for EVERY grave.That’s our point.  You may not like it, but if you just try to think about it a little from someone else’s perspective–someone who may not share your religious perspective–you may be able to understand.  While we share a common love for our country and took an oath to support and defend our Constitution, we don’t ALL like wreaths and the way this company profits from this program.Thanks again for your letter.  We’re not pathetic.  We’re empathetic–even to those that don’t share the same religious perspective. Sincerely,Marty France, PhDBrigadier General, USAF (Retired) MRFF Advisory Board Member

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Response from MRFF Board Member John Compere

On Dec 9, 2021, at 11:16 AM, John Compere wrote

:Your sarcastic, specious & simple-minded suggestions reflect only upon yourself & reveal only your clueless contrarianism.
For your information, some families of deceased military veterans do not want a religious organization to which they do not belong marketing itself & promoting its religion version by presumptuously putting its religious symbols on the graves of their deceased loved ones without permission. Those families consider it uninvited & unwanted intrusions.
The Military Religious Freedom Foundation (composed of 85% Christians) represents, when requested, the right of those families to object & prevent such trespassing on the graves of their deceased military veterans. We do so out of respect for their wishes & will continue to do so. To become better informed, see militaryreligiousfreedom.org.
Brigadier General John Compere, US Army (Retired)Disabled American Veteran (Vietnam Era)Board Member, Military Religious Freedom Foundation

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Response from MRFF Advisory Board Member Mike Farrell

On Dec 15, 2021, at 7:19 PM, Mike wrote:
No, Bobby, our feelings aren’t hurt. But the families of those vets who arenot Christians might feel somewhat disrespected, don’t you think?
Mike Farrell (MRFF Board of Advisors)

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