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The ACLU is not trying to remove cross-shaped headstones
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Government issued headstone of Gen. Henry H.
Arnold, United States Air Force. Photo courtesy
of Arlington National Cemetery
An old e-mail has begun circulating yet again claiming that the ACLU is attempting to remove cross-shaped headstones from military graves. The ACLU states on their website:
The ACLU has long argued that veterans and their families should be free to choose religious symbols on military headstones. . . and that the government should not be permitted to restrict such religious expression in federal cemeteries.
The confusion most likely stems from a lawsuit filed by the ACLU to include a Wiccan symbol as an option for military headstones. This lawsuit, however, had nothing to do with removing any other symbols of faith.
The National Cemetery Administration "furnishes upon request, at no charge to the applicant, a Government headstone or marker for the unmarked grave of any deceased eligible Veteran in any cemetery around the world, regardless of their date of death." A list of available symbols of belief is available from the Department of Veteran's Affairs and currently has 98 different options, including the Christian cross.
From a practical standpoint, removing all crosses would be impossible. As can be seen in the slideshow below, there are thousands of government issued headstones, many with crosses, just in Arlington National Cemetery alone. (All photos courtesy of ArlingtonCemetery.org)
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