Protest group targets wreaths placed on veterans' gravesites

[Dougaz]

I stumbled upon this just this AM and had to check it out more than once ..... Because I just couldn't believe it.

I'm shocked that any group would protest placing wreaths on the head stones of the greatest generation.

They died so knuckleheads like this can actually complain and protest against the men and women that fought so bravely for our nation.

 

[Sistema1927]

Linky? Please.

 

[Rustyt1953]

Hate makes people do hateful things.

 

[Nevada Ed]

They are just lucky that they have picked the right graves to protest.

One of these days they will pick the wrong grave and end up like wise.

Some people, really protect and love their kin................

I just can't beleive this is happening.

 

[DWalt]

The story-
Wreaths on veterans’ gravesites sparks protest | Military | gazette.com

 

[arjay]

There usually is more to the story…

 

[quikdraw67]

A little man with too much time on his hands going "look at me! I'm offended!".

Seriously dude, chill. It's about the Holiday season, not pushing religion on dead veterans.

 

[biku324]

How sad.

“We have no problem if people reach out and want a wreath on their deceased veterans’ graves, but to put them everywhere, to blanket them without permission of the surviving families is unconstitutional, an atrocity and a disgrace,” said Mikey Weinstein, founder of the Military Religious Freedom Foundation.

The crucifix is at the crux of the opposition.

Weinstein, who is Jewish, and his supporters — who include Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, Sikhs, the Jedi Church as well as Christians — believe the wreath pays homage to Christianity.

“This should be an aspect of respect,” Weinstein said. “It’s almost like a fundamentalist Christian gang sign to put a symbol of the Christian season of Christmas on any grave.”

 

[DWalt]

I had never heard of the Jedi Church. But it apparently does exist and is legally recognized as a religious body. Imagine - a church built on the precepts of Star Wars. Motto is (no kidding) "May the Force be with you."

 

[steelslaver]

Weinstein’s organization requested in 2014 that Wreaths Across America not place wreaths at headstones of departed service members that display the Jewish Star of David, known in Hebrew as Magen David.

Leaving live flowers or wreaths at headstones is normally not a Jewish ritual.

While they can do as they please with my final resting spot, some would be just as upset if their loved ones grave was decorated with a 9 branch Hanukkah Menorah.

personally I find it hard to believe the dead are very upset about it one way or the other even if they look down on it from afar.

 

[bigwheelzip]

...some would be just as upset if their loved ones grave was decorated with a 9 branch Hanukkah Menorah.

There ya go. The wreath organizers probably didn't realize they're actions offended a religious minority, but once informed it should be respected.

 

[Bro. Dave]

"...a fundamentalist Christian gang sign..."

Now this has been added to my list of "most improbable words in the same phrase." Getting the coffee residue off my computer screen after a classic spit-take took two napkins.

 

[Rudi]

These people are so miserable, they want everyone else miserable too.

 

[Onomea]

There ya go. The wreath organizers probably didn't realize they're actions offended a religious minority, but once informed it should be respected.

I bet very few Jews are offended. As for me, when I'm buried, anyone of any religion or none is welcome to pay their respects at my grave with any symbols or decorations they like.

I don't see it as an issue if the intent is respect. My guess is there are only small minorities within the various religions who would take offense.

Or, as posted above, some folks have too much time on their hands and enjoy victimhood and creating controversy.

 

[bigwheelzip]

I bet very few Jews are offended.

I'd bet many of those religious observant would prefer it not be done.
Though raised in a predominantly Roman Catholic neighborhood, the Jewish neighborhood was a block and a half away. We knew early on that you don't send flowers as expressions of sympathy. Donations to a charity in the deceased name is the norm. A rock left on the headstone is the respect at the cemetery.

I think anything done to graves, beyond placement of American Flags, at our National Cemeteries should be done with caution.

 

[LVSteve]

"...a fundamentalist Christian gang sign..."

Now this has been added to my list of "most improbable words in the same phrase." Getting the coffee residue off my computer screen after a classic spit-take took two napkins.

'Tis a bit of a stretch, for sure. SMH.

 

[Onomea]

I'd bet many of those religious observant would prefer it not be done.
Though raised in a predominantly Roman Catholic neighborhood, the Jewish neighborhood was a block and a half away. We knew early on that you don't send flowers as expressions of sympathy. Donations to a charity in the deceased name is the norm. A rock left on the headstone is the respect at the cemetery.

I think anything done to graves, beyond placement of American Flags, at our National Cemeteries should be done with caution.

Brooklyn has a high percentage of orthodox Jews. (Nearly 40%, I read somewhere.) Most Jews are not observant. Even less so than most Christians. U.S. Jews far less religious than Christians or Americans overall by some measures | Pew Research Center

I do agree, though, with your intent to respect the religious beliefs of others.

 

[arjay]

“Fundamentalist Christian gang” takes me back to a few years ago when the kooks from the Westboro baptist church showed up at the church across the street from me to raise hell about the rainbow banner they had hung up.

Holy cow! My neighbor went out and yelled at them lol

(Chads from Philly [emoji23])

 

[Rustyt1953]

I'll be in a box on the mantel. Color me oblivious.

 

[bigwheelzip]

Most Jews are not observant.

Less observant perhaps, except as noted in the first sentence of your referenced article, for "life-cycle milestones". From firsthand experience, the funeral rites are one of those important observed milestones.