Friday Evening, January 20, 2023
MRFF HAS WARNED, FOR OVER 18 YEARS,
OUR U.S. MILITARY BREEDS EXTREMISTS:
3 ACTIVE-DUTY MARINES ARRESTED FOR
PARTICIPATING IN JAN. 6 U.S. CAPITOL RIOT


“The combination of Christian nationalism, white supremacy, and right-wing political views espoused by so many in positions of leadership in the military could not fail to produce Marines such as Sgt. Joshua Abate, Cpl. Micah Coomer,
and Sgt. Dodge Dale Hellonen”

Air Force Academy Graduate Lt. Col. Retired Larry Brock on Senate floor participating in January 6 Capitol insurrection
Air Force Academy Grad Lt. Col. (Ret) Larry Brock (left) participating
in January 6 Capitol insurrection. Photo credit Win McNamee / Getty. 
Usage paid for by Military Religious Freedom Foundation.

MRFF's Statement on the Arrest of 3 Active-Duty Marines Participating in the January 6, 2021 Insurrection at the U.S. Capitol

Friday, January 20, 2023

Today’s news of the arrest of three active-duty Marines who participated in the January 6 insurrection at the Capitol comes as no surprise to the Military Religious Freedom Foundation (MRFF), which has been warning of the military being a breeding ground for right-wing extremists for over a decade and a half. The combination of Christian nationalism, white supremacy, and right-wing political views espoused by so many in positions of leadership in the military could not fail to produce Marines such as Sgt. Joshua Abate, Cpl. Micah Coomer, and Sgt. Dodge Dale Hellonen, who, placing religio-political views above the oath they swore to the Constitution, would take part in such an egregious attack on democracy and the America they are sworn to protect against all enemies, foreign and domestic.
CNN
COVERS EXTREMISM IN THE MILITARY

Three active-duty Marines arrested for participating in Jan. 6 US Capitol riot


By: Hannah Rabinowitz, Holmes Lybrand and Haley Britzky

Friday, January 20, 2023
CNN reports on the arrest of three active-duty Marines — all of whom work in intelligence and one of whom has called for a second civil war — for their participation in the January 6 insurrection. One of the Marines was apparently surprised that the riot was being “portrayed negatively.”

MRFF has been fighting this war for over 18 years!
A pair of 2021 post-insurrection op-eds by
MRFF Founder and President Mikey Weinstein address the undeniable connection between
the "mothership" of Christian nationalism
and political extremism in the military
MRFF's Inbox
“Picture of people in a lifeboat being saved at KP”

From: (name withheld)
Date: January 19, 2023 at 10:01:57 AM MST
Subject: Picture of people in a lifeboat being saved at KP

Michael,

The picture of a life boat being saved has been up for a prolonged period and falls in-line with the history of the U.S. Merchant Marine, the founding of the Merchant Marine Academy, and represents a strong majority of it’s students and Alumni. Based on that and the freedom of expression or speech, the pictured has never been an issue until a new superintendent took the position. You cannot make rules or actions based on exceptions. 17 complaints falls in-line with being an exception. The majority of all people from diverse backgrounds have not taken issue with this painting. 17 people? Quite a large statement for 17 people. 

Please reconsider the position of freedom of expression and speech among the hundreds of people that take issue with your actions. I take issue with your action to promote the cover up a traditional piece that supports the history and traditions of our great country, the U.S. Merchant Marine, and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. Taking away a significant piece of the foundation is causing issues with a majority of all stakeholders of USMMA. 

Since you support people from all backgrounds, please support my position and a majority of the KP Community to remove the covering of a life boat being saved. I look forward to your response and support. 

Regards,
(name withheld), KP ’02
To read responses from MRFF Founder and President Mikey Weinstein, MRFF Board Member Marty Esquivel, MRFF Advisory Board Member Mike Farrell, MRFF Board Member John Compere, MRFF Advisory Board Member James Currie, MRFF Supporter Steve Dundas, and the Original Emailer, click below for the full thread
“Nachat!”

From: Rabbi Joel Schwartzman
Subject: Nachat!
Date: January 18, 2023 at 8:48:48 AM MST
To: “‘mikeyw4444@icloud.com'” mikeyw4444@icloud.com

To sheb nachat is to garner honor. The MRFF’s efforts are gaining more and more recognition and honor in the Jewish media. I just saw a reference to the MRFF’s victory over the painting of Jesus at the Merchant Marine Academy in the Times of Israel online newspaper. You referenced the JTA’s and The Jerusalem Post’s recognition of the same item as well. These are important to the reputation of the MRFF’s advocacy and good works.
The Jewish communities of the U.S. need to be aware of the MRFF and articles such as these help to boost that awareness and, hopefully, elicit support.

All good things,
Chaplain, Col, USAF (Ret) Rabbi Joel R. Schwartzman
Dillon, CO
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