This is not right.
At a Department of Veterans Affairs site in Lexington, Kentucky, a Bible was removed from a table honoring missing service members and prisoners of war following a complaint from a civil rights group.
The Military Religious Freedom Foundation (MRFF), led by Attorney Michael Weinstein, raised concerns on behalf of 12 veteran clients, asserting that displaying the Bible on the facility’s POW/MIA table went against Department of Defense policy and the Establishment Clause of the U.S. Constitution.
In response to the MRFF’s threat of legal action, the VA replaced the Bible with a blank journal on the table, part of a tradition known as the “Missing Man Table,” which originated from Vietnam War veterans to honor missing service members. The tables typically feature symbols like an empty chair, a candle, an inverted glass, a rose in a vase, and a faith-related book, although the book is considered optional according to Department of Defense guidelines.
Russell Armstead, the executive director of the Lexington VA Healthcare System, expressed regret over the perception of religious infringement and committed to maintaining the dignity of every veteran. Following consultations with legal advisors, the decision was made to standardize the displays across the Lexington Health Care System, ensuring consistency in honoring veterans with items like a table, white tablecloth, rose, yellow ribbon, lemon, salt, bread plate, glass, candle, an empty chair, and a journal.
Weinstein highlighted that seven of the 12 clients involved in the case are Christians and emphasized the significance of respecting the time, place, and manner in such displays. He underscored that the issue wasn’t about the content itself but the government’s endorsement of a specific religious text.
Chris Rodda, from MRFF, supported Armstead’s actions, citing VA regulations that prohibit permanent religious displays favoring a single religion. She explained that even chapels within VA facilities must remain religiously neutral unless a specific religious service is being conducted.
There were reports that amid the controversy, individuals described as “Christian nationalists” removed the Missing Man Table entirely at one point, prompting discussions about the representation of all religious beliefs or lack thereof in such displays.
The incident at the Lexington VA facility echoes MRFF’s past efforts in advocating for the removal of overtly Christian symbols from military institutions, showcasing the ongoing debate surrounding religious neutrality in government-related settings.