Navy Reserve Center Chooses Erasure of POW/MIA Memorial Over Compliance, Removing Entire Display Instead of Unconstitutional Sectarian‑Branded Bible

May 3, 2026

On May 2, 2026, a MRFF client at NRC (Navy Reserve Center) San Jose emailed MRFF President/Founder Mikey Weinstein regarding the return of a POW/MIA Memorial Table including a bible that had been previously removed from the same type of memorial at this same installation.  MRFF’s client provide a concisely detailed description of the problem and history at NRC- San Jose:

From: (MRFF U.S. Navy client’s e-mail address withheld)
Subject: Banned Bible on POW/MIA Table
Date: May 2, 2026 at 11:04:07 AM MDT
To: Michael L Weinstein <[email protected]>

I reported for drill this weekend at NRC San Jose and was disheartened to find that the POW/MIA table once again displayed the same Navy-banned Bible. This is now the third time I have observed this exact issue recurring.  This situation is concerning for several reasons:

1. The inclusion of a Bible—particularly when it is not an official component of the POW/MIA table—creates the perception that one religion is being elevated above others. This can be seen as inconsistent with the Navy’s commitment to religious neutrality and inclusion. Service members of many faiths, as well as those with no religious affiliation, have been prisoners of war. Highlighting a single religious text risks misrepresenting that diversity and may unintentionally alienate others.

2. The specific Bible in question has been identified as unauthorized due to the use of the Navy emblem without approval. The Navy has made clear that it does not endorse or authorize religious materials bearing its insignia in this manner. Despite this, the repeated reappearance of this item suggests a pattern of noncompliance with established guidance. This raises concern that the applicable rules are not being applied consistently, and that exceptions are being made in practice despite clear policy to the contrary.

3. On a personal level, the way this issue has been handled has been frustrating and discouraging. While the item has been removed after I’ve raised concerns, its repeated return creates the impression that doing the right thing is addressed temporarily rather than resolved. It feels as though the response is to acknowledge the issue just long enough for me to go away, rather than to take lasting corrective action. That dynamic makes it difficult for me to feel that this NRC takes concerns seriously.

I respectfully request that this issue be addressed in a permanent and consistent manner in accordance with Navy policy and the principles of religious neutrality.

(All personal ID of MRFF U.S. Navy client withheld)

Mikey immediately emailed the commanding officer at NRC-San Jose regarding the recurrence of this unconstitutional and unit cohesion destroying sectarian branding of an otherwise appropriate and honorable memorial:

From: Michael L Weinstein <[email protected]>
Subject: Banned Bible on POW/MIA Table
Date: May 2, 2026 at 12:16:54 PM MDT
To: Commander Siamack Jamshidipour

…..Commander Jamshidipour, we have dealt with this issue at your NRC San Jose installation a number of times before, sir, and each time the Bible has been thankfully removed…………… But now it’s back again, sir??!!……why is this??!!… 

….I just spoke with your Command Duty Officer and asked him to ask you to please call me about this revolting situation ASAP…… He said you were currently conducting an All Hands Meeting…… but those meetings don’t last forever and I’m sure you’ll be available shortly, Commander…

…. This Bible display on your official POW/MIA table is completely unconstitutional on a number of levels as well as violating Directives, Instructions and Regulations of DOD and the Department of the Navy as well as the Navy’s Core Values and even certain sections of the Uniform Code of Military Justice…… 

…..This completely sectarian, biblical, Christian display is 100% anathema to good order, morale, discipline, unit cohesion, health and safety of the troops and mission accomplishment, Commander……

…… on behalf of its clients under your command, sir, the Military Religious Freedom Foundation (mrff.org) demands that you immediately remove that illicit, Christian Bible from that otherwise Constitutional display of important remembrance……

……. Again, please call me ASAP at 505-250-7727…..

……… Michael L “Mikey” Weinstein
Founder and President
Military Religious Freedom Foundation

While a direct response was not received, within 24hrs MRFF’s client reported in a follow up email that the branded bible along with the entire POW/MIA Table had been removed:

From: (MRFF U.S. Navy client’s e-mail address withheld)
Subject: Thank You, MRFF: POW/MIA Table with Christian Bible Removed!
Date: May 3, 2026 at 8:54:35 AM MDT
To: Michael L Weinstein <[email protected]>

Dear MRFF Team,

I wanted to extend my sincere thanks for your support and advocacy regarding the situation at NRC San Jose. I truly appreciate the time and effort you put into addressing the issue and working directly with the command.

When I reported for my reserve drill weekend, I was initially dismayed on Saturday to see a Bible prominently displayed on the POW/MIA table in the quarterdeck. Rather than sit with that concern all weekend, it was reassuring to know that Mikey and the MRFF team would support me every step of the way.

After working with MRFF through a few emails and a phone call, the issue was resolved overnight. When I returned to drill on Sunday morning, I observed that the POW/MIA table had been removed. While I’m still reflecting on how I feel about this command’s decision to remove the entire display, it does address the immediate concern of religious preference. At the very least, there is no longer a situation where one faith is represented to the exclusion of others, which was the core issue I raised.

I also want to acknowledge how much I value the professionalism with which you handled this, especially your commitment to keeping my identity confidential throughout the process. That meant a great deal to me.

While I remain cautiously optimistic about how the command will handle the POW/MIA table moving forward (for example, whether the table and Bible may simply reappear after this drill weekend), I am grateful for your partnership and for the broader impact your work continues to have in supporting religious equality within the military.

Thank you again for standing with me and for all that you do.

Respectfully,

(All personal ID of MRFF U.S. Navy client withheld)