Onward Christian Soldiers?

Army to Remove Memorial Sign and Crosses From Chapel in Kosovo Camp

Army officials say they are only following regulations, but their plans to remove a memorial to a U.S. chaplain at a camp in Kosovo have shocked and saddened his widow.

Elizabeth Oglesby said she was "a little bit sad" when FOXNews.com told her a sign honoring her late husband, Army Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Gordon Oglesby, would be removed from the North Chapel at Camp Bondsteel in Kosovo.

The sign, as well as three crosses, are being removed to put the chapel in line with Army regulations, said Lt. Col. William D. Jenkins of the 35th Infantry Division's Kosovo Force 9.

"I didn’t even know that the plaque was erected or put up after his death," Oglesby's widow said. "But I am shocked that they would want to take it down, because I know he just lived for his soldiers.

"He got to know some of the local people there and he ministered to them as well in Kosovo."

Gordon Oglesby, a Baptist minister from Kermit, Texas, died in 2006 at age 57 after suffering a heart attack during a deployment to Kosovo on a peacekeeping mission. The sign dedicates the chapel to Oglesby's memory.

Army regulations prohibit chapels from being "named for any person, living or dead, or designated by a name or term suggesting any distinctive faith group," Jenkins said.

It was unclear who erected the memorial sign and the three crosses. Jenkins said he did not know who had done so.

The Base Camp Planning Board approved the removal of the crosses and memorial sign at a regularly scheduled meeting, he said.

"This is not a new regulation and exists to protect the free exercise of religion of all soldiers," Jenkins said.

Army regulations require the exterior of military chapels to remain free of religious symbols.

Iraqis: Marines Handed Out Christian Coins
Friday, May 30, 2008

BAGHDAD — The U.S. military says an American service member has been removed from duty in Iraq after receiving complaints that Marines were handing out coins promoting Christianity.

Sunni officials in the former insurgent stronghold of Fallujah say the coins were given to Iraqis at an entry checkpoint and had biblical verses written on them in Arabic.

A military statement says the service member was removed from his duties Friday "amid concerns from Fallujah's citizens regarding reports of inappropriate conduct."

The statement says U.S. troops are prohibited "from proselytizing any religion, faith or practices" and the military is investigating the reports.

The military promises appropriate action if they are substantiated.