Duncan Hunter: “I thank the gentleman from Ohio for yielding and for his service as a veteran and for what he has done for this country.…”

“I thank the gentleman from Ohio for yielding and for his service as a veteran and for what he has done for this country. I also thank the gentleman from the Northern Mariana Islands. {time} 1250 One of the most common ways that this Nation honors its military and war dead is with monuments and memorials. Across the Nation, from Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery in San Diego to Arlington National Cemetery, there are countless markers paying tribute to America's war heroes and the brave men and women who never came home. In many cases, these markers display symbols of religion and personal faith-- representing not just individuals, but the shared commitment and sacrifice of those who serve and those who made the ultimate sacrifice to protect others and us here at home. I'm reminded of headstones at Arlington National Cemetery or images of Normandy where symbols of personal faith and religion are prominently displayed. And even then, these symbols never overshadow the purpose and message of honoring our military and veterans. Now this time-honored tradition is under attack. Civil liberty groups have taken offense to the presence of religious symbols on war memorials. They are going after a cross sitting atop a hill at Camp Pendleton in San Diego. It's not an official site sanctioned by the Marine Corps or the Federal Government, and the cross can't even be seen by the public.…”