The Obama Administration, through the testimony of a Department of the Interior official, has expressed its opposition to legislation that would add the prayer offered by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt at the onset of the 1944 D-Day invasion to the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C.
During House hearings on the World War II Memorial Prayer Act, introduced by Rep. Bill Johnson (R-Ohio, left), Robert Abbey, director of the Bureau of Land Management, testified that the memorial should not be altered, arguing that the addition of the prayer through a plaque or inscription would dilute the memorials message.
It is not a judgment as to the merit of this new commemoration, explained Abbey, simply that altering the Memorial in this way, as proposed in HR 2070, will necessarily dilute this elegant memorials central message and its ability to clearly convey that message to move, educate, and inspire its many visitors. He said that the Interior Department strongly believes that the World War II Memorial, as designed, accomplishes its legislated purpose to honor the members of the Armed Forces who served in World War II and to commemorate the participation of the United States in that conflict. Abbey argued that federal law actually prohibits such additions, noting that the Commemorative Works Act specifically states that a new commemorative work shall be located so that it does not encroach upon an existing one.
Johnsons proposal would add to the WWII Memorial an inscription of the prayer FDR offered during an address to the American people on June 6, 1944, as American and Allied troops stormed the beaches of Normandy in an assault against Nazi forces. Almighty God, began the President after announcing the beginning of the assault: Our sons, pride of our Nation, this day have set upon a mighty endeavor, a struggle to preserve our Republic, our religion, and our civilization, and to set free a suffering humanity.
After asking God to give the soldiers strength and steadfastness in their endeavor, and to welcome those who were destined to die into His kingdom, Roosevelt concluded the prayer: Lead us to the saving of our country, and with our sister Nations into a world unity that will spell a sure peace a peace invulnerable to the schemings of unworthy men. And a peace that will let all of men live in freedom, reaping the just rewards of their honest toil. Thy will be done, Almighty God. Amen.
Rob Kerby of BeliefNet noted that the absence of any mention of faith in God on the memorial, dedicated in 2004, is painfully conspicuous. The monument highlights 12 famous speeches given as America was dragged into the worldwide conflict on December 7, 1941, then as U.S. GIs took the lead in both the European and Pacific theaters of the war, wrote Kirby. But theres not a hint of Christianity or faith in any of themalthough prayer was a key part of the American way of life during the war.
At least one Christian leader noted the apparently intentional oversight, however. To think that nowhere on the memorial is there a reference to God, religion, faith, or Old Testament scripture is really reprehensible, said the Rev. Patrick Mahoney, director of the Christian Defense Coalition, shortly after the memorials dedication. Faith and religion played as much a role as any other aspect in getting us through those dark and difficult times. It appears that there is a deliberate attempt to remove any reference to God.
While the speeches included in the memorial from FDR, President Harry S Truman, General Douglas MacArthur, and General Dwight D. Eisenhower included copious references to God and faith, none of them made it into the memorial. For instance, noted Kirby: Gen. Douglas MacArthurs comments at the Japanese surrender are included: Today, the guns are silent. A great tragedy has ended. A great victory has been won. The skies no longer rain death the seas bear only commerce men everywhere walk upright in the sunlight. The entire world is quietly at peace. But deleted from the legendary generals comments were these inspiring words: Let us pray that peace be now restored to the world and that God will preserve it always.
In a prepared statement following Abbeys testimony, Rep. Johnson said that it was unconscionable that the Obama Administration would stand in the way of honoring our nations distinguished World War II veterans. President Roosevelts prayer gave solace, comfort, and strength to our nation and our brave warriors as we fought against tyranny and oppression. These words should be included among the tributes to the Greatest Generation memorialized on the National Mall.
Johnson noted that World War II veterans had expressed their support for the addition of the prayer to the 2004 memorial, singling out one soldier in particular, George Poppy Fowler, a veteran of the Pacific Theatre. A press release from the congressmans office quoted Fowler as saying: I feel, with no doubt, that it would be appropriate that this prayer be inscribed in some manner at the World War II Memorial. This prayer came at a perilous time, yet it was answered in victory at a dear cost of lives. It was only by the Grace of God that I returned to my family. Fowler added that the addition of this prayer to the World War II Memorial may inspire people to look at our great nation and ask what they may do to keep this freedom alive.
Johnson told Fox News that the Administrations response to the proposal ought to be troubling to the American people. For there to be objections to demonstrating a faith in God at critical points in our nations history particularly D-Day boggles my mind, Johnson said. I was very surprised they were going to object.
Tony Perkins of the Family Research Council, however, thought the Administrations opposition was in keeping with the Presidents customary response to issues of faith particularly those embracing Judeo-Christian values. This is further evidence that the Administration has created an environment that is hostile towards American history but in particular towards Christianity, Perkins told Fox News. I hope America wakes up and realizes what this Administration is doing to this country and how they want to radically and fundamentally change America.
Perkins argued that the Obama Administration wants to erase every aspect of Americas heritage. Any President, any official in history that has embraced Christianity, is no longer welcome in this Administration. Thats the environment they are creating.
While the White House has balked at his proposal, Johnson said he expects unanimous support from the full House for the legislation.
