In Recognition of Veterans Day Retired USAF Officer Thanks MRFF Again for Getting Nazi Headstones Removed from Veterans Cemetery

Thursday Afternoon, November 11, 2021

SPECIAL VETERANS DAY EDITION

MRFF deeply appreciates the service and sacrifices of our

veteran clients and all our men and women in uniform.

IN RECOGNITION OF VETERANS DAY

RETIRED USAF OFFICER THANKS MRFF

AGAIN FOR GETTING NAZI HEADSTONES

REMOVED FROM VETERANS CEMETERY

"If all the voices who suffered under this evil empire could sing your praises, their voices would be endless. On behalf of those silent voices – THANK YOU Mikey and to the rest of the MRFF."

— Retired Air Force Colonel and MRFF client

Nazi headstones with circle and slash no signs on them

Pair of swastika-adorned Nazi POW headstones that, thanks to MRFF,

were removed from Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery where MRFF's

client's grandfather and numerous other World War II veterans are buried.

Moving e-mail of gratitude from the retired Air Force Colonel who enlisted MRFF's help to get the pair of swastika-adorned Nazi POW headstones removed from the Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery

Wednesday, November 10, 2021

"Thank you MRFF"

From: MRFF Client and Supporter’s E-Mail Address Withheld

Subject: RE: Thank you MRFF

Date: November 10, 2021 at 5:42:55 PM MST

To: Michael L Weinstein

On the eve of Veterans Day Mr. Weinstein is the perfect time to reflect on what transpired recently at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery and in the VA. Not long ago, I contacted you and the Military Religious Freedom Foundation (MRFF) who seized the challenge to eliminate headstones in the VA’s National Cemetery Administration (NCA) praising Adolf Hitler and visually showcasing Nazi swastikas.

I explained to you and the MRFF that I had relatives and friends buried in Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, where two of these headstones were located. I expressed my thoughts on how this was an absolute abomination to Americans and all Allies who waged unconditional warfare against the evil axis. Most importantly, this occurred on hallowed ground in a cemetery founded to honor Veterans and families who sacrificed so much for the Nation.

You understood this so well and communicated that with such passion and chutzpah to journalists, Jewish Veterans groups, and Congressional members who interviewed you and me. They too understood and endorsed you and the MRFF’s efforts to right a serious wrong.

Immediately after contacting you, the MRFF seized the offensive to eliminate these pseudo-shrines to Hitler and Nazism. THANK YOU!

If all the voices who suffered under this evil empire could sing your praises, their voices would be endless. On behalf of those silent voices – THANK YOU Mikey and to the rest of the MRFF.

If the Secretary of the VA and Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery director had the only votes we would still be viewing these despicable monuments to global genocide under their myopic, flawed logic and management. Never was their leadership in line with America’s values unlike the MRFF who embraces and argues on behalf of its clients with a deep-rooted understanding of the US Constitution.

Thankfully, the MRFF and its supporters are people endowed with common sense and integrity who came forward to right the VA’s heinous wrong. The American public, Texas and San Antonio residents never knew the VA attempted to nullify the removal of these headstones by replacing them early before the news media and the MRFF caught wind of it. But they were discovered.

Thank you, thank you!

Name withheld, Colonel, USAF (retired)

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Background on the hard-fought battle and eventual MRFF victory in getting the Department of Veterans Affairs to remove the offensive Nazi headstones

5/12/20 – MRFF Demands Immediate Replacement of Nazi POW Swastika Headstones at National Military Cemetery

5/15/20 – Influential U.S. Congresswoman and Distinguished Jewish and Civil Rights Organizations Support MRFF’s Demand to Replace Nazi Headstones

5/20/20 – MRFF Threatens to Sue Dept. of Veterans Affairs Over Nazi Headstones in National Cemeteries

5/29/20 – VA Secretary Reaffirms Vow to Preserve Nazi Headstones in Defiance of MRFF and Congressional Demands

6/3/20 – Viral Worldwide Coverage of MRFF’s Major Victory: VA Secretary Wilkie Caves! Nazi Headstones Will Be Removed!

12/23/20 – MRFF’s Resolute Efforts Prevail! Veterans Administration Finally Removes Nazi Headstones From Ft. Sam Houston Nat’l Cemetery

Remember Veterans Who Served in the War on Terror

By: MRFF Board Member John Compere

Veterans Day 2021

Veterans Day is our annual national holiday on November 11^th. Its genesis was the World War I armistice declared at the 11^th hour on the 11^th day of the 11^th month in 1918. Originally commemorated as Armistice Day in 1919 by presidential proclamation and congressional resolution, it became Veterans Day in 1954 by federal law enacted by Congress and signed by 34^th President Dwight Eisenhower.

This recognition of our military veterans pays tribute to those patriotic men and women, living or deceased, who served our country honorably in the US Armed Forces during war or peace for any length of service and are no longer serving. There are 18.8 million veterans living in the United States.

Veterans Day is a legal federal holiday and official flag display day pursuant to 5 United States Code 6103. All federal government offices are closed. State, county and city governments are requested to fly the American flag. Flag handling requirements are found at 4 United States Code 1. The correct spelling is the attributive “Veterans Day” with no apostrophe (i.e. Veterans’ Day or Veteran’s Day is incorrect).

Parades, ceremonies, celebrations and events honoring our veterans are held throughout the country. A ceremonial wreath laying by our President is held at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery.

“Today we honor the service of those who have worn the uniform of the United States of America. To our proud veterans – I will be a commander in chief who respects your sacrifices, understands your service, and will never betray the values you fought so bravely to defend.” – 46^th President Joseph Biden

Veterans Day should not be confused with “Memorial Day” on the last Monday in May memorializing military members who gave their lives in the service of our country or “Armed Forces Day” on the 3^rd Saturday in May honoring men and women currently serving in the military. Veterans Day is for those who hung up their uniform. Memorial Day is for those who never made it out of their uniform. Armed Forces Day is for those still serving in their uniform. We recognize three different military service categories with three distinct national observances.

The military sworn service oath is to support and defend “the Constitution of the United States…and bear true faith and allegiance to the same”. Military veterans know we are one nation under our Constitution and it is the Constitution in which we trust. Fidelity to the Constitution was an essential element of their faithful service as it continues to be for all military men and women serving today. Veterans who participated in the anti-American attack on the US Capitol damaging federal property and assaulting federal personnel are recommended for more severe punishment by federal prosecutors because of their demonstrated disrespect for the Constitution and prior service oaths to the Constitution.

“We do not take an oath to a king or queen, a tyrant or a dictator. We do not take an oath to an individual. We take an oath to the Constitution…and will protect and defend that document regardless of personal price.” declared General Mark Milley, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and America’s top military officer, at the National Museum of the United States Army opening on November 11, 2020.

Veterans Day honors all veterans and is a special time for remembering and respecting those who have rendered honorable military service to the United States of America.

This year please remember with special gratitude the patriotic veterans who served in the War on Terror throughout the Middle East during the last two decades. These brave military men and women did everything our country required of them to fight terrorism. Another terrorist attack on our homeland was prevented and the terrorist responsible for the September 11, 2001 attacks was eliminated as well as thousands of other international terrorists.

Over 5 million American military members were deployed during this extended warfare against terrorism. Our military suffered 7,052 killed, 50,422 wounded and thousands more diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder by the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Former President George and Laura Bush issued a joint statement expressing compassion for the sacrifices of those Americans serving during this prolonged conflict – “Many of you deal with wounds of war, both visible and invisible. And some of your brothers and sisters in arms made the ultimate sacrifice in the war on terror. Each day we have been humbled by your commitment and your courage.”

John Compere

Brigadier General, US Army (Retired)

Disabled American Veteran (Vietnam Era)

Board Member, Military Religious Freedom Foundation

Texas rancher