VT Supports MRFF’s Demand to U.S. Air Force Academy

Veterans Today supports the January 20, 2011, letter written by the Military Religious Freedom Foundation to Lieutenant General Michael Gould, the Superintendent of the U.S. Air Force Academy, demanding that Clebe McClary not be allowed to proselytize Academy personnel at the USAFA prayer breakfast scheduled for February 10, 2011. We urge others to contact Lt. Gen. Michael C. Gould at the e-mail below.

Lt. Gen. Michael C. Gould
Superintendent, United States Air Force Academy
[email protected]
2304 Cadet Drive, Suite 3300
U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado  80840-5001

January 20, 2011

Dear Lt. Gen. Gould:

As veterans and veteran advocates, we are writing to demand you rescind the United States Air Force Academy’s invitation to Lt. Clebe McClary (ret) as the featured speaker for the Academy’s National Prayer Luncheon on February 10, a demand we make in full support of the Military Religious Freedom Foundation’s position on this matter.

We note with pride Lt. McClary’s service to our country, service that demands respect. We note with the same pride our oath to support and defend the Constitution of the United States.

And with due respect to Lt. McClary, it is clear that his dedication to proselytizing his sectarian faith is violative of Article 6; Constitution for the United States of America: “[N]o religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States.”

A serviceperson or cadet not sharing Lt. McClary’s exclusionary beliefs is both not included at this Luncheon as an equal and not vested with the same rights and trust.

This exclusion is a travesty and a betrayal of the Constitution of the United States.

We, the undersigned veterans and veterans’ advocates are prepared to invest considerable resources to see that Article 6; Constitution for the United States of America is followed to the letter and the fullest extent. We repeat, vis: “[N]o religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States.”

With Respect,

Gordon Duff
USMC (ret)
Vietnam 1969-70
Email: [email protected]

Robert L. Hanafin
Major, US Air Force (ret)
GS-14, U.S. Civil Service (ret)
Vietnam and Gulf War Veteran
Email: [email protected]

And the Board of Directors and Staff Writers at VT