Editor, Times-Union: I normally don’t write articles to newspapers or magazines, but I received a letter from an organization which I am proud to support, namely Citizens United Foundation. This article disturbed me greatly – almost sent me into orbit. Following is a portion of that letter. “In 2003 a young corporal named Robert Zurheide and six other Marines lifted a 13-foot wooden cross onto their backs and carried it up a treacherous terrain to the peak of Mount Horno in Camp Pendelton. When they reached the summit, these seven Marines raised their memorial cross to honor their comrades who had been killed during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Less than a year later, Corporal Zurheide was killed by a mortar shell during the bloody fighting in Fallujah, Iraq, Since 2003 four of those brave Marines who carried that 13-foot cross memorial up to the summit of Mount Horno have been killed in action. “The Camp Pendelton cross, as it is now known, has become an important memorial site for the Marines and for the families of fallen Marines. Marines, widows, and children made the difficult climb up to the cross to honor these Americans and others who have made the ultimate sacrifice. They leave cards with messages of love, battered dog tags, and even sand from Imo Jima to honor all Marines past and present. “But now the Camp Pendelton Cross is under attack. The atheist group called The Americans United for the Separation of Church and State have threatened legal action unless the Camp Pendleton Cross is taken down immediately. They’ve accused Corporal Zurheid-who died fighting for the very freedom they enjoy-of breaking the constitution!” What is your reaction to the above letter? Are you as outraged as I am? I am not a Marine or ex-Marine, but I have great respect for the corps as well as all branches of our military services and for all men and women who have served honorably to defend our freedom. Should the Marines kowtow to this atheist group and tear down the cross honoring their fallen comrades? My answer is a loud and clear no – never! What will you do? After the killing of the lion Cecil there were thousands, if not millions, of protests on Facebook and Twitter shaming the dentist who had the audacity to slaughter this beautiful lion who was minding his own business. Is the treatment of our wild animals more important than the welfare of our servicemen and women? Where are our priorities? I am not advocating shaming anyone, but you, too, can use this social media to let General Joseph Dunford, commandant of the Marine Corps, that you support the families at Camp Pendleton, Calif., in their fight to honor their lost loved ones in service to our country. That cross should stand! If you do not have access to Facebook or Twitter, you could call Camp Pendelton or write a card or letter to General Joseph Dunford expressing your desire that the cross should stand and be defended. Phone number of Camp Pendleton: 760-725-5569. Address of Camp Pendleton: Vandegrift Blbd,; Oceanside, CA 92054. Bill Chumbler Winona Lake U.S. Army Medical Corps, 1942 to 1946
