As if veterans don’t have enough problems on their hands, they are often a quiet target of bigoted attacks for supporting America’s religious heritage. On Wednesday, Vice President Pence spoke at the 101st American Legion Convention in Indianapolis, offering insight into this and many other issues veterans face today. Pence waded into an ongoing debate over Bible displays in hospitals.
In May, First Liberty Institute, a legal organization based in Texas, sent a letter to the Department of Veterans Affairs urging a policy clarification after an individual filed a lawsuit challenging a POW/MIA remembrance display at the Manchester VA Medical Center that includes a Bible. First Liberty’s client, the Northeast POW/MIA Network, is the organization responsible for creating and maintaining that remembrance display.
A few months later, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs announced that it has updated and clarified its policies “permitting religious literature, symbols and displays at VA facilities to protect religious liberty for Veterans and families while ensuring inclusivity and nondiscrimination.”
Pence mentioned this particular issue of faith-based bigotry when he addressed the American Legion Convention audience:
We will always respect the freedom of religion of every veteran of every faith. And my message to the New Hampshire VA hospital is: The Bible stays.
First Liberty Institute Chief of Staff Mike Berry commented on Pence’s speech:
The American Legion is an organization dedicated to helping veterans, just like the VA is. Neither organizations are venues aiming to endorse a religion, nor should either be subject to any anti-religious attacks, which is what this appears to be.
Even though government entities like the VA may display anecdotes and symbols of religion, it is not an endorsement or establishment of religion. The last thing veterans should have to deal with is defending themselves on this matter. Activists need to leave the VA alone so they can focus on helping veterans rather than fending off legal challenges.
Nicole Russell (@russell_nm) is a contributor to the Washington Examiner‘s Beltway Confidential blog. She is a journalist who previously worked in Republican politics in Minnesota.
